Too many inquiries

VantageScore code numbers

Code numbers can differ by bureau and score version. The wording of the statement is what to match.

What puts this reason on your score

VantageScore's explanation says inquiries can lower a score a small amount. Only hard inquiries count, the ones from applications. Equifax notes that soft inquiries, such as checking your own credit, don't affect scores.

VantageScore uses a 14-day rolling window and treats multiple inquiries from mortgage or auto lenders inside it as a single search for credit. Its 4.0 user guide says retail, collection and utility inquiries aren't grouped this way.

What to check on your credit report

• The hard inquiry list on each report, with dates
• Inquiries you didn't authorize
• Rate shopping for one loan that stretched past 14 days

What you can do about it

• Pause new applications.
• Keep mortgage or auto rate shopping inside a 14-day stretch.
• Dispute inquiries you didn't authorize with the bureau, and check for fraud.

The free inquiry tracker can help with this step.

How soon a change can show

Equifax says hard inquiries can stay on a report for two years and tend to affect scores for about one. The code weakens as the dates age with no new ones added.

If you are applying for a mortgage

Comparing several mortgage lenders inside 14 days counts as one inquiry on VantageScore. Do your shopping in a tight window instead of spreading it over months.

Guides that go deeper

• Rate shopping for a loan without wrecking your credit scoreFICO counts mortgage, auto and student loan inquiries made within 14 to 45 days as one. The three rules, a worked timeline, and what isn't covered.
• How long hard inquiries stay on your report and keep countingHard inquiries can sit on your credit report for 2 years, but FICO only scores them for one. A dated example shows when each clock runs out.
• Removing hard inquiries you didn't authorize, the legitimate wayAn inquiry you never authorized can be disputed, and one from fraud can be blocked. One you did authorize can't. How to sort them and fix each kind.
• How mortgage preapproval shows up on your creditA mortgage preapproval usually means a hard pull from all three bureaus. Why one lender shows up three times, how shopping is scored, and what to avoid.
• What your credit score reason codes are telling youReason codes list what held your score back the most, in order. What the common ones mean, which you can act on, and which to leave alone.