 TITLE: What Happens When Hard Inquiries Are Removed From Your Credit Report? CONTENT: Can You Remove Hard Inquiries From Your Credit Report?\n------------------------------------------------------\nIf a hard inquiry is the result of a credit application you made, it cannot be removed from your credit report. It is simply a matter of record, and it will fall off your report naturally after two years—and will have no effect on your credit scores after one year.\nHowever, if you discover a hard inquiry for a credit application you didn't submit, it may be a sign of attempted fraud. In this case you can file a dispute to have the inquiry removed. Filing a dispute is free and fairly easy, but it's only meant to help you remove incorrect information from your credit report. If the inquiry is determined to be the result of fraudulent activity, it will be removed.\nIf you find an unauthorized hard inquiry, be sure to review your reports for further signs of fraud, including unfamiliar accounts, and dispute them right away. END