With
the vast amount of information on credit inquiries available, you may find it
difficult to understand the subject. But, we can help eliminate your
confusions.
To
begin with, every time a company seeks access to your credit report, they make
a credit inquiry. It is simply a request made by a firm to check
your credit report. You can find the section of credit inquiries section at the
end your report. These inquiries may or may not have an impact on your credit
score. However, they will remain on your credit report for two years.
Types of credit inquiries
There are two types of credit
inquiries:
Hard pull
A hard pull inquiry takes place
when you an organization or an individual requests your credit score. For
instance, if you apply for a car loan or a credit card, the lending
organization will request your credit report to evaluate your credit situation.
This type of inquiry usually drops your score by a few points for six
months.
Soft pull
A soft pull inquiry does not
affect your credit score. This type of inquiry occurs when you check your
credit history. Similarly, a prospective employer or landlord may request a
soft pull inquiry to check your credit situation.
Impact of credit inquiries
A credit inquiry is incorporated
to your credit report every time you apply for credit. As per FICO website, the
impact from applying for credit will vary from person to person, based on their
unique credit histories.
Removal of credit inquiries
In order to remove credit
inquiries, you should:
1) Order
your three credit reports to check the inquiries that are causing problems.
Once you receive your credit reports, check for unauthorized inquiries made by prospective
lending institutions.
2) Find
the addresses of all credit inquirers to contact them. Thereafter, you should
send each one of them a letter asking them to remove their inquiry. It is
better to send the letter via fax or certified mail rather than standard mail
delivery. Also, try to provide as much information as you can.
3)
It is possible that a creditor may provide
documentation stating that a credit inquiry was authorized by you. Therefore, read the authorization carefully. In
case of any ambiguity, let them know in writing that the inquirer's
authorization form was complicated and beyond your comprehension. Always keep
track of the time that you sent the letter. If the creditor doesn't respond
within a month, you can demand quick action.
Although the abovementioned
process is an easy way to remove inquiries, you can avail our fast credit repair
services to get rid of unauthorized inquiries.