- Identifying Unauthorized Inquiry: If you notice a hard inquiry on your CIBIL report that seems unauthorized, it could be a potential fraud or error. You have the right to raise a dispute to have it removed. Here are the steps to raise a dispute:
- Visit the official CIBIL website.
- Create an account or log in if you already have one.
- Access your credit report from the dashboard.
- Navigate to "Enquiry Information" under "Credit Report" to view all inquiries.
- Identify unauthorized inquiries and click on the "Raise a Query" button.
- Select "Enquiry Information."
- Check the boxes next to the unauthorized inquiries, confirm each dispute, and click "Yes."
- Submit the dispute and review the summary of raised disputes.
- Dispute Resolution: To resolve the dispute, CIBIL will contact the relevant bank or NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Corporation) and the process usually takes 45-50 days.
Note: Only report unauthorized inquiries as for a loan application, if the lender checks your CIBIL Report, it cannot be disputed.
How to Remove Negative Accounts from CIBIL Report?
To remove negative accounts from your CIBIL report, follow the steps mentioned below:
- Goodwill Request:
- If you have cleared your loan but missed payments, your lender may have reported you negatively.
- Send a polite letter to the lender explaining the delay after clearing the dues and request them to report you favorably, as a loyal customer.
- Raise a Dispute:
- Raise a dispute by following the process described earlier, if there is an error by the lender.
- Disputes may take 45-50 days for resolution.
- Wait It Out:
- If nothing else works, you can wait for the negative accounts to naturally stop affecting your credit score, which typically takes 1-2 years.
- To improve your score continue making timely payments during this period.
Impact of a Hard Inquiry on Credit Score
The impact of hard inquiry on credit score are mentioned below:
- Short-term Dip: A hard inquiry may cause a small dip in the credit score, usually under 5 points, as it indicates you are seeking new credit, potentially signaling a higher borrowing risk.
- Temporary Impact: Responsible credit habits will help your score recover as the negative effect of a hard inquiry lasts about a year.
- Multiple Inquiries: Multiple inquiries in a short period can raise concerns for lenders, possibly leading to a more significant drop in your score.
Does a Credit Score Drop After a Hard Inquiry?
Yes, hard inquiry results in a drop in the credit score and the reasons behind it are given below:
- Temporary Decrease in Credit Score:
- Causes temporarily drop in credit score as lenders assess your financial history and ability to repay loans.
- Increases the perceived risk for lenders as the inquiry suggests you are seeking new credit.
- Short-term Impact:
- The impact of a hard inquiry is short-lived, typically considered only within a year.
- A single inquiry does not cause a long-term drop, unlike multiple inquiries in a short time that leads to financial distress, leading to a larger decline.
How to Raise a Dispute with CIBIL to Remove a Loan Enquiry from Your Credit Report?
The steps to raise dispute with CIBIL if you suspect an unauthorized loan inquiry on your CIBIL report are given below:
- Obtain your CIBIL report and identify the inquiry in question.
- Collect all the documents such as loan rejection letters for support.
- Navigate to the "Dispute Resolution" section by visiting the CIBIL’s website.
- Provide the details and any necessary proof to initiate a dispute regarding the inquiry.
- It takes up to 45 days for CIBIL to contact the lender to verify the inquiry.
Tips to Minimise the Chance of Decreasing Credit Score After a Loan Inquiry
To decrease the chance of drop in the credit score after loan inquiry, remember the points mentioned below:
- Space Out Inquiries: To prevent raising red flags for lenders, avoid submitting multiple loan applications in a brief period (a few months).
- Pre-qualify Instead: Involve soft inquiries by using pre-qualification options from lenders that do not impact your credit score, helping you assess loan eligibility.
- Shop Around Strategically: To limit hard inquiries, compare rates and terms from various lenders within a short timeframe (weeks, not months).
- Maintain Good Credit Habits: Strengthen your score and reduce the impact of a hard inquiry by focusing on timely payments, low credit utilization, and a healthy credit mix.
- Does a loan inquiry affect a CIBIL credit score?
Yes, a loan inquiry affects a CIBIL score. Soft inquiries may slightly lower your CIBIL score temporarily, signaling new credit-seeking. While multiple inquiries in a short period can have a greater impact, so space them out.
- Can a loan inquiry be removed from a CIBIL report within 24 hours?
No, loan inquiries cannot be removed within 24 hours, rather they stay on your report for one to two years.
- How to increase your CIBIL score after a loan inquiry?
A loan inquiry may cause a slight dip, but focusing on timely payments and low credit card balances will improve your credit history and raise your CIBIL score over time.
- How to remove inquiries from the CIBIL report?
Legitimate inquiries cannot be removed from your CIBIL report and in case of unauthorized inquiries, dispute it on CIBIL's website, and they will verify with the lender within 45 days.
- Can a bank remove an inquiry from my CIBIL report?
No, a bank cannot directly remove an inquiry from your CIBIL report, whether authorized or legitimate. CIBIL handles disputes with the bank, but the final decision lies with the bureau.
- How many credit enquiries on CIBIL report do not impact the credit score?
There is no ideal number for CIBIL inquiries. Multiple inquiries in a short period can raise red flags. Space out applications, use pre-qualification, and maintain good credit habits to ensure that inquiries do not impact the credit score.
- How long will a loan inquiry stay on my report?
Loan inquiries remain on your CIBIL report for up to two years, but their impact on your score is usually temporary, lasting about a year. Space out applications and build good credit habits.
- How do I check my loan inquiries?
You cannot check only loan inquiries on your CIBIL report, but you can also view them in your full report, which lists all inquiries and other credit details.