How to Delete Hard Inquiries from Your Credit Report for Free

Introduction

• Aim: Teach effective and free methods to delete hard inquiries from credit reports.
• No need for software, template letters, or FTC reports.
• Importance of being informed and sharing this info.

Preparing to Call Credit Reporting Agencies

• Agencies to Contact:
  • Experian
  • Equifax
  • TransUnion
  • Anovus
• When to Call:
  • After 1 p.m. for more cooperative representatives.
• Preparation Steps:
  • Print your full credit report from annualcreditreport.com.
  • Note down hard inquiries and their dates for each agency.

Steps to Remove Hard Inquiries

1. Call Agencies:
   • Experian has two phone numbers due to switching tactics.
2. Interact with Representatives:
   • Be extremely polite and friendly.
   • Use humor to make the conversation smoother.
   • Give specific details of hard inquiries to be removed.

Customer Interaction Strategy

• Engage pleasantly, e.g., inquire about their day.
• Explain the issue simply and ask for their help.
• If unhelpful, politely end the call and try with another representative.

Important Considerations

• Credit Score Impact:
  • Removing inquiries will affect scores only if they are within the last 6 months.
• Limits on Inquiries:
  • Maximum of 4 inquiries per agency in 24 months; fewer is preferable.

Inquiry Logic and Points

• Hard inquiries make up 10% of the credit score (max 55 points).
• Too many inquiries indicate high risk to lenders.

Special Considerations for Loan Inquiries

• Loan Inquiries Count as One:
  • Home mortgage, auto loans, and student loans inquiries within a 30-day window count as one.

Dispute Strategy

• Dispute inquiries not linked to any open account.
• Avoid disputing inquiries tied to open/closed accounts to preserve positive payment history.

Conclusion

• Understanding the right approach in dealing with inquiries can maintain or improve credit scores.
• Further educational content available on deleting collections and charge-offs.