How to dispute hard inquiries you did not authorize

What a hard inquiry is

A hard inquiry is recorded when a company checks your credit report because you applied for credit, such as a credit card, loan, or sometimes an apartment or utility account. Hard inquiries generally stay on your report for up to two years.

Which inquiries can be disputed

Under Section 604 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681b, a company may generally obtain your credit report only for a permissible purpose, such as a credit application you made. If you did not apply for credit with a company and did not otherwise authorize the check, you can dispute that inquiry.

Inquiries from companies you did apply to or do business with are normally accurate and may stay on your report. Soft inquiries, such as checking your own report, do not affect your score.

How to dispute

List each inquiry as it appears on your report, say that you did not authorize it, and ask the bureau to reinvestigate and remove it if it cannot be verified. Send copies of your identification and proof of address, keep copies of everything, and use certified mail with a return receipt.

If you believe an unauthorized inquiry is a sign of identity theft, see our guide on identity theft and Section 605B.

What to expect

The bureau generally has 30 days to investigate (45 days in some cases). Nothing is guaranteed: an inquiry that is verified as authorized can remain on your report.