Finimpact

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

Does checking your credit score lower it?

A credit check by a potential borrower can lower your credit score can lower it by up to five points. To lessen the impact of hard credit inquiries, bundle your applications together so that multiple lenders can determine your creditworthiness and if you are a good fit. However, when you check your own credit through a credit monitoring service, annualcreditreport.com, or a service provided through one of your lenders, it is only considered a soft inquiry and will not impact your credit.

How do I get rid of hard inquiries in 24 hours?

It is possible to remove an incorrect hard inquiry within 24 hours, but it will require time and effort. The best way to do this is to call the credit bureaus directly and kindly request the removal of the inquiry. Before you call, be sure one or more of the following points is accurate.

  • You did not authorize the inquiry
  • More inquiries were received than you anticipated
  • You were pressured into applying for the loan product
  • You did not know your credit was going to be pulled

When you call, you will first need to provide some form of verification that the information in the inquiry is incorrect. Be clear in what you are disputing and have detailed evidence to support your claim. Articulate to the representative what you want to be done and why. And above all things, be firm but polite.

Can you remove all hard inquiries?

If you have a legitimate hard credit check on your credit report, you will not be able to have it removed. The best strategy is to let it ride for the next one to two years until it drops off itself. The only types of hard inquiries you can remove from your credit record are those that are inaccurate, and you need to prove that they are inaccurate.

Will my credit score go up when hard inquiries fall off my credit report?

After one or two years, hard inquiries will fall off your credit report. And, in most cases, you might see a slight increase in your score, provided all other things stay the same. It is important to understand that your credit score increases or decreases by a few points quite often. So, don’t assume that if your score was 740 right after the hard credit check, it will automatically go up to 745. The chances are that you have had other credit activity over the last one or two years that can also impact your score.

About the Authors

Ann Bloomquist

Written by: Ann Schreiber

Seasoned Copywriter & Content Marketer

Ann have been a marketer and a content writer for over 20 years. She have worked for financial institutions such as FICO, Experian, and BlueChip Financial as a director of content and brand marketing.

More about me

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