Is Your Credit Report Full of Unauthorized Hard Inquiries?
Unauthorized hard inquiries can lower your credit score and affect your loan approval chances. Fortunately, you have options to stop them!
If lenders, credit card companies, or any unauthorized entities pull your credit without permission, you are protected by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). In this guide, you’ll learn how to remove these inquiries, prevent future ones, and protect your credit score. So, let’s take control of your credit report—starting now!
Understanding Credit Inquiries: Soft vs. Hard
To begin, it’s important to understand the two types of credit inquiries. Only one of them can hurt your credit score.
✅ Soft Inquiries (Safe – No Score Impact)
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Checking your own credit at AnnualCreditReport.com
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Receiving pre-approved credit card or loan offers
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Undergoing background checks for jobs or insurance
Since these are informational, they do not affect your score.
⚠️ Hard Inquiries (Risky – Affects Score)
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Applying for a loan or credit card
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Submitting rental or mortgage applications
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Requesting car loans or store financing
Too many hard inquiries in a short time signals risky behavior to lenders. As a result, your score may drop by 3–5 points per inquiry.
How to Stop Unauthorized Credit Inquiries
Stopping unauthorized credit pulls is easier when you take the following steps in order:
1. Review Your Credit Report
First, get your free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. Then:
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Check all three bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
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Look for inquiries you don’t recognize
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Flag anything you didn’t apply for—it may be unauthorized!
2. Dispute Inquiries with the Credit Bureaus
Next, file a dispute with each credit bureau. Under the FCRA, they must investigate and remove any unauthorized inquiries.
To begin:
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Use the CFPB dispute letter template
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Include supporting documents (your credit report, and a police report if fraud is suspected)
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Send everything via certified mail with return receipt
Bureaus have 30 days to respond. If they fail to act, escalate the matter.
3. File an FTC Identity Theft Report (If Fraud Is Involved)
If you suspect identity theft, don’t wait. Take these actions:
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Visit IdentityTheft.gov
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Submit a report explaining the fraud
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Share the report with credit bureaus to speed up removal
This step helps establish a legal record and triggers additional protections.
4. Set Up a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze
Afterward, take preventive measures to block future unauthorized inquiries:
🛡️ Fraud Alert
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Alerts lenders to verify your identity
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Free for 1 year, or 7 years for identity theft victims
❄️ Credit Freeze
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Completely blocks new credit applications
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No one can pull your credit without your consent
Set alerts or freezes at these links:
Quick Steps to Remove Unwanted Inquiries
| Step | Action | Timeframe | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check Report | Get your free credit report | Instant | Identify unauthorized inquiries |
| Dispute Entries | Send dispute letters to all bureaus | Within 30 days | Have inquiries removed |
| File Fraud Report | Report identity theft (if applicable) | Immediate | Protect your credit record |
| Freeze Credit | Block future access to your report | Instant | Prevent new unauthorized pulls |
FAQs: How to Stop Unwanted Credit Inquiries
Can hard inquiries be removed from my credit report?
Yes! If they are unauthorized or fraudulent, you can dispute them and request removal.
How long do hard inquiries stay on my report?
They remain for 2 years, but only affect your score for the first 12 months.
Can a credit freeze stop inquiries?
Absolutely. A credit freeze blocks all new inquiries unless you give permission.
What if a creditor refuses to remove an inquiry?
You should escalate the complaint. File a report with the CFPB at cfpb.gov for further help.
Need More Help?
If you’re still unsure, or need assistance disputing inquiries, call Credit1Solutions at 877-782-7839. Their experts are ready to help you reclaim your credit score—one step at a time.