How to Dispute Hard Inquiries on TransUnion?

Your TransUnion credit report shows every hard inquiry recorded against your file.

1. Request the report - Go to Annual Credit Report or log into your TransUnion account; you're entitled to a free copy every 12 months.
2. Open the 'Inquiries' tab - Most reports label this section 'Hard Inquiries' or simply 'Inquiries'.
3. Find the entry - Look for the creditor name, date of pull, and the label 'hard'. Soft pulls appear without this label.
4. Record the details - Write down the lender, pull date, and exact wording; a screenshot works well for later reference.
5. Confirm it's yours - If the entry matches a recent application you authorized, you can move on; if not, you'll need to dispute it in the next section.
6. Check the timing - Hard inquiries must be listed within 30 days of the pull; an omission after that window may still be disputable but is less common.

Now that you've verified the hard inquiry, proceed to discover who pulled your credit.

TransUnion displays the name, date, and contact info of the creditor that placed the hard inquiry on your report.

• Log into your TransUnion account or request a free annual report; the 'Hard Inquiries' section lists each pull with the creditor's legal name and the inquiry date.
• Note the 'inquiry source code' (e.g., 'A' for auto‑loan, 'M' for mortgage); this helps you match the entry to a specific loan or credit application you may have made.
• If the creditor name is vague (e.g., 'Third‑Party Vendor'), click the link to the TransUnion inquiry lookup tool for the full business name and a phone number.
• Call the listed number and ask for a 'hard inquiry verification' under the Fair Credit Reporting Act; they must confirm the purpose and provide the originating account details within 30 days.
• Record the information, then move to the next step - deciding whether you authorized the inquiry - before filing any dispute.

Authorized inquiries line up with a credit application you submitted; unauthorized inquiries have no connection to any request you made.

If the inquiry coincides with a loan, credit card, or mortgage you applied for, treat it as authorized. No dispute is necessary, but record the account name and date for future reference. Move on to the next section to collect any documents that might be useful if a lender later questions the entry.

If the inquiry appears from a lender you never contacted, flag it as unauthorized. You have a 30‑day window under the Fair Credit Reporting Act to file a dispute with TransUnion. Gather statements, emails, or identity‑theft reports proving you did not request credit, then follow the steps in 'Gather proof you need to dispute the inquiry.'

Collect the exact documents that show the hard inquiry is mistaken or unauthorized. These records let TransUnion verify your claim quickly and keep you inside the FCRA's 30‑day dispute window.

• Screenshot or PDF of your TransUnion credit report highlighting the disputed inquiry (date, creditor name, and inquiry type).
• Written confirmation from the creditor stating they never pulled your credit, or a denial letter confirming the pull was an error.
• Copy of any loan, credit‑card, or service application you never submitted.
• Police report or FTC Identity Theft Report if fraud is suspected.
• Government‑issued ID (driver's license or passport) matching the name on the inquiry.
• Relevant emails, texts, or account messages showing you did not authorize the pull.

Having this proof lets you move straight to the next step - submitting your dispute via TransUnion's online portal. For background on hard inquiries, see the what is a hard inquiry guide.

File your dispute through the TransUnion online dispute portal to trigger the required 30‑day investigation. Log in or create a free account, then follow the steps below.

• Open the TransUnion online dispute portal and sign in.
• Click 'Start a new dispute,' choose Hard inquiry as the item type, and locate the inquiry you verified in earlier sections.
• Attach any proof you gathered (e.g., denial letter, identity‑theft report) and write a concise statement explaining why the inquiry is unauthorized or inaccurate.
• Review the summary, confirm that all information is correct, and submit the dispute.
• Save the confirmation number and the email receipt; you'll need it for the 'prepare a concise dispute packet' section and for tracking deadlines later.

Create a concise dispute packet by writing a brief cover letter that names the hard inquiry, states why it's invalid, cites your 30‑day FCRA dispute right, and asks TransUnion to delete it. Keep the letter to one page and use clear, factual language.

Attach these documents: a photocopy of your TransUnion report with the disputed inquiry highlighted; a copy of your driver's license or passport and the last four digits of your SSN for identity verification; any proof that you never authorized the pull, such as a credit‑card statement showing no account opened; and, if relevant, an FTC Identity Theft Report or police report.

Combine everything into a single PDF named 'Dispute_Inquiry_[date].pdf' and upload it through the TransUnion dispute portal. Retain a copy for the next step of asking the lender to retract the hard inquiry.

You can ask the lender to retract your hard inquiry by calling or emailing the creditor, explaining that the pull was unauthorized, and requesting a written confirmation that they will remove it from your file. If the lender agrees, they will send a short letter to TransUnion stating the inquiry was erroneous; you then attach that letter to your dispute packet.

Include the lender's letter when you file your dispute online or by mail, and note that TransUnion must investigate within 30 days of receipt. A refusal or silence from the creditor does not stop you from proceeding - simply rely on the bureau's investigation. Keep the lender's response (or lack thereof) in a log; you'll need it for the 'track deadlines' step that follows. Learn more about hard inquiries and disputes.

You track every deadline and log each dispute action in a single, dated record. A simple spreadsheet gives you timestamps, reference numbers, and next‑step reminders, so nothing slips through the 30‑day FCRA window (Fair Credit Reporting Act 30‑day dispute deadline).

1. Note the date the hard inquiry appears on your TransUnion report.
2. Add a 'deadline' column set to 30 days after that date.
3. When you submit a dispute (online portal, letter, or packet), record the exact submission date and the confirmation or case number.
4. Log the method used (e.g., portal ticket, certified mail) and attach a copy of the proof you sent.
5. As soon as TransUnion replies, enter the response date and summarize the outcome (removed, unchanged, request for more info).
6. If the result is unsatisfactory, create a follow‑up entry with a new deadline 15 days later to decide on escalation.
7. Keep all email threads, PDFs, and mailed receipts in a dedicated folder linked to the spreadsheet entry.
8. Review the log before moving to the next step - disputing duplicate or mixed‑file inquiries - to ensure every prior action is documented and any pending deadlines are addressed.

Duplicate or mixed‑file hard inquiries occur when the same lender appears twice on your TransUnion report, or when a personal loan is mistakenly labeled as an auto loan, inflating the total count.

If you spot such entries, log the inquiry's date, creditor name, and the inaccurate details, then file a dispute within the 30‑day FCRA window. In the online portal, select 'Incorrect inquiry,' attach a screenshot that highlights the duplication or mis‑classification, and include a brief note stating, 'This inquiry is a duplicate/mixed file and should be removed.' TransUnion must investigate and either correct or delete the entry, usually within 30 days.

After the dispute resolves, you can move on to the next step - escalating with an identity‑theft report or a CFPB complaint if the inquiry remains.

If TransUnion refuses to delete an unauthorized hard inquiry, you can escalate by filing an identity‑theft report or submitting a CFPB complaint.

Both routes force a formal investigation and require the bureau to respond within the statutory 30‑day window after receipt.

To use an identity‑theft report:

• obtain an Identity Theft Report from the FTC's online portal,
• attach the report, a copy of your original dispute, and any denial letters, and send the package to TransUnion's fraud department (address listed in the FTC guide),
• keep a dated proof‑of‑mail receipt; TransUnion must investigate and report its findings.

To file a CFPB complaint:

• go to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau complaint page,
• select 'Credit reporting - hard inquiry' as the issue,
• upload your dispute documentation and the bureau's response,
• submit; the CFPB will forward the complaint to TransUnion and track the agency's reply, which must arrive within 15 business days.

Monitor the investigation status in your online TransUnion account and log every correspondence; if the bureau still refuses removal, you may consider contacting your state attorney general or seeking legal counsel.