By Tish Griffin | TishTalks™

Most people don’t realize this until it’s too late:
Not every credit inquiry on your report was actually authorized by you.

This came up for me recently when I reviewed my TransUnion credit report and noticed 28 hard inquiries tied to what should have been a single auto purchase experience.

Yes — I authorized some.
No — I did not authorize all of them.

And here’s the important part: that matters.

Why Unauthorized Credit Inquiries Are a Big Deal

Hard inquiries can:

• Lower your credit score
• Make you appear desperate for credit
• Impact loan approvals and interest rates
• Stay on your report for up to two years

When lenders or dealerships run excessive inquiries without your clear consent, your credit profile no longer reflects your intent — it reflects their convenience.

And that’s not okay.

Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681), you have the right to dispute any information on your credit report that is:

• Inaccurate
• Incomplete
• Not verifiable
• Unauthorized

If a company cannot prove you gave permission for a credit inquiry, it does not belong on your report.

Online vs. Mail Disputes: What Most People Get Wrong

Many people immediately dispute online because it’s easy.

Easy isn’t always effective.

Online disputes:

• Are often automated
• Can limit your rights
• Make it harder to challenge “verified” results later

Mail disputes (certified):

• Create a legal paper trail
• Force manual investigation
• Carry more weight if escalation is needed

When your credit is on the line, documentation beats convenience every time.

The Exact Letter I Used to Dispute 28 Inquiries - but make it fit your situation

You can copy and use the letter below. Personalize the bracketed sections and send it certified mail with return receipt.

Sample Credit Inquiry Dispute Letter

[Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Date of Birth: MM/DD/YYYY]
[Last 4 of SSN: XXXX]

Date: [Insert Date]

TransUnion LLC
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016

Re: Dispute of Unauthorized Credit Inquiries

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally dispute twenty-eight (28) hard credit inquiries currently appearing on my TransUnion credit report.

While I acknowledge that I authorized a limited number of inquiries related to the purchase of my vehicle, I did not provide consent or authorization for all 28 inquiries reported. The number of inquiries exceeds what would reasonably be necessary for a single transaction and does not accurately reflect my authorization.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681), I have the right to dispute information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or cannot be verified. Any inquiry made without my express permission is inaccurate and should not be reported.

I am requesting that TransUnion investigate each inquiry individually, verify authorization for each, and remove any inquiry that cannot be validated. Please provide written confirmation of the results of your investigation.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

What to Include When You Mail Your Dispute

✔ Copy of your ID
✔ Proof of address
✔ Copy of your credit report with inquiries highlighted
✔ Certified mail with return receipt

This protects you, not the credit bureau.

The Bigger Lesson

Credit repair isn’t about shortcuts.
It’s about clarity, documentation, and self-advocacy.

If something on your report doesn’t reflect your actions or intent, you have every right — and responsibility — to challenge it.

TishTalks™ Reminder

“Financial freedom begins when intention replaces survival.”

Your credit should tell your story — not someone else’s.