How to Dispute Incorrect Inquiries with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion

Your credit report is a financial snapshot that lenders, landlords, and even employers use to evaluate your reliability. Errors on your report—especially unauthorized hard inquiries—can drag down your credit score and cost you opportunities. With identity theft and data breaches on the rise, it’s more important than ever to monitor and dispute inaccuracies with the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning up your credit report and protecting your financial future.

Why Disputing Incorrect Inquiries Matters

The Impact of Hard Inquiries on Your Credit Score

Every time a lender checks your credit for a loan, credit card, or mortgage, a hard inquiry appears on your report. While one or two may only slightly lower your score, multiple inquiries in a short period can signal financial distress—dropping your score by 10+ points. Worse, if these inquiries are fraudulent (e.g., from identity theft), they could indicate someone is trying to open accounts in your name.

Rising Identity Theft and Credit Report Errors

According to the FTC, identity theft complaints surged during the pandemic, with credit card fraud as the top reported issue. Many victims don’t realize their reports contain errors until they’re denied a loan. Proactively disputing incorrect inquiries helps prevent long-term damage.

Step 1: Get Your Credit Reports

Before disputing, you need to review your reports from all three bureaus. Federal law entitles you to a free weekly report from each via AnnualCreditReport.com (extended through 2024 due to COVID-19).

What to Look For:

• Unauthorized hard inquiries (e.g., from lenders you didn’t apply to)
• Duplicate inquiries (multiple pulls for the same loan)
• Outdated inquiries (hard inquiries should drop off after 2 years)

Step 2: Gather Evidence

For a successful dispute, you’ll need proof. Examples include:
- Bank statements showing no applications were made
- Police reports (if identity theft is suspected)
- Correspondence with lenders confirming errors

Step 3: Dispute with Each Credit Bureau

Each bureau has its own process, but all must investigate disputes within 30 days (45 if you submit additional proof).

Disputing with Equifax

1. Online: Use the Equifax Dispute Center. Upload documents and track progress.
2. By Mail: Send a letter with copies (not originals) of proof to:
   Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
3. By Phone: Call 1-866-349-5191.

Disputing with Experian

1. Online: Submit via Experian’s Dispute Center.
2. By Mail: Send to:
   Experian P.O. Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013
3. By Phone: 1-888-397-3742.

Disputing with TransUnion

1. Online: Use TransUnion’s Dispute Portal.
2. By Mail: Write to:
   TransUnion LLC Consumer Dispute Center P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016
3. By Phone: 1-800-916-8800.

Step 4: Escalate if Needed

If the bureaus don’t resolve the issue:
- File a complaint with the CFPB.
- Contact the lender directly to demand removal.
- Hire a credit repair attorney for persistent errors.

Protecting Your Credit Long-Term

Freeze Your Credit

A security freeze blocks new inquiries unless you temporarily lift it. It’s free and highly effective against identity theft.

Monitor Regularly

Use free services like Credit Karma or paid tools like IdentityForce to catch errors early.

Opt Out of Prescreened Offers

Reduce junk mail and minimize soft inquiries by opting out at OptOutPrescreen.com.

By staying vigilant and acting fast, you can keep your credit report accurate—and your financial opportunities open.