A Dealership Ran My Girlfriend’s Credit 12 Times: Revisiting the Recourse and Removal

When a dealership runs your credit multiple times without your permission, it can be a source of frustration and concern. If you are in a similar situation with your girlfriend, here are the steps you can take to address the issue.

Understanding the Implications

First, it's important to understand the implications of multiple credit inquiries. If a dealership runs your credit multiple times, it is crucial that you have the appropriate authorization. Without it, the situation can lead to unnecessary stress and potential disputes.

These inquiries can negatively impact your credit score only if they are hard pulls. A hard pull occurs when a credit report is retrieved for the purpose of applying for credit or lending money to the consumer. However, if all the inquiries are conducted within a 14-day period, the credit bureaus should not negatively affect your score. Regardless of the time frame, it is still advisable to get these inquiries removed from your report if possible.

Addressing the Issue with the Dealership

Here are the steps you can take to manage the situation:

Contact the Dealership: The first step is to inform the dealership that you have noticed multiple inquiries conducted without your permission. Express your concerns and request that the inquiries be removed from your credit report. Scheduling an in-person meeting with the credit manager can be more effective. At the meeting, request a confirmation letter from the dealership acknowledging their agreement to remove the inquiries. Send a Certified Letter: Follow up with a certified letter to the person you spoke with at the dealership. Ensure that the letter clearly states your request for the inquiries to be removed and ask for a confirmation letter from the dealership. This step provides a paper trail that can be helpful in case the dealership does not comply.

Disputing the Inquiries with Credit Bureaus

The second step is to send a letter to all three major credit bureaus regarding the unlawful multiple inquiries. When disputing the inquiries, be sure to mention that the dealership had no permission to pull your credit, as you provided clear instructions to the contrary.

While some disputes can be done online, writing a letter is often more thorough and can provide additional protection. Ensure that the letter contains all relevant details, including the dates of the inquiries and your refusal to authorize them.

Clearing the Report

The process of clearing the report can take about 4 to 8 weeks. During this time, keep track of your credit score and note any changes. Hard inquiries stay on your report for 2 years, so it is always a good idea to ensure that your report accurately reflects your behavior.

Understanding the Impact on Credit Scores

Hard inquiries typically affect your credit score by 5-10 points for 2 months. However, it is minimal in the grand scheme of things as the credit scoring model is designed to consolidate all inquiries within a 30-day period into one pull for scoring purposes. This is to allow consumers to shop for credit without the risk of negative impacts.

Additionally, these inquiries will naturally drop off your credit report in time. Therefore, there is no need to worry overly about these temporary setbacks.

By taking proactive steps to address the issue, you can protect your credit health and ensure that your report is as accurate as possible.