Identify the report
Your name and contact information, the report confirmation number if available, the reporting company, and the date.
Free credit education resource
Investigate a hard inquiry with the AUTH worksheet.
A one-page printable worksheet, unauthorized-inquiry checklist, lawful dispute-letter outline, and private interactive review—built to help you verify first and dispute only when the facts support it.
- Free—no account or email required
- Worksheet answers stay in this browser
- Official CFPB, FTC, and report links included
1 pagePrinter-friendly worksheet
4 checksAUTH investigation method
5 routesTruthful next-step guidance
0 uploadsNo sensitive files requested
Interactive web version
Build your AUTH review route.
Choose only what you know. Your answers are processed in this page and are not submitted with the optional email form.
Keep sensitive data off this page. Do not enter a Social Security number, account number, bureau login, PIN, full report number, identity document, or dispute attachment.
H · Handling route
Your next step
Investigation checklist
Lawful dispute-letter outline
Use only facts you can support. This is an outline—not a magic letter or a promise of deletion.
Unauthorized-inquiry checklist
Investigate before making a claim.
- Save the exact inquiry name, date, and each report showing it.
- Compare the date with applications, dealer visits, rentals, utilities, mobile service, and financing activity.
- Contact the business through a channel on its official website or your existing records.
- Ask what application or permissible purpose produced the inquiry and preserve the response or case number.
- If the business confirms an error, request written confirmation and its correction process.
- If the facts support identity theft, use IdentityTheft.gov for the current official recovery plan.
- Dispute only the exact inquiry on each affected report and keep copies of everything sent and received.
Letter outline
What a specific, truthful dispute should contain.
Follow the credit reporting company’s current submission instructions. The CFPB recommends identifying the error, explaining why it is wrong, requesting a correction, marking the relevant report page, and sending copies—not originals—of supporting documents.
Name the exact inquiry
Copy the inquiry name and date exactly as they appear. Identify every affected report separately.
State the supported facts
Explain what is inaccurate or unauthorized and what your business investigation found. Do not claim identity theft unless the facts support it.
Request a precise result
Ask the company to investigate and correct or remove the inquiry if it is inaccurate, unauthorized, or cannot be verified as permissible.
Attach copies
Include the marked report page and copies of relevant correspondence or official identity-theft documents when applicable. Keep originals.
Track delivery and response
Save the complete submission, proof of delivery, dates, case numbers, response, and the updated report.
Official action links
Go directly to the source.
Addresses, phone numbers, and online processes can change. Confirm current instructions on these official pages before sending personal information.
Official reportsAnnualCreditReport.comRequest and compare all three reports.
CFPBWhat is a credit inquiry?Understand hard and soft inquiries.
CFPBHow to dispute a report errorCurrent steps, evidence, and company links.
Federal Trade CommissionIdentityTheft.govCreate an official recovery plan when the facts support identity theft.
EquifaxOfficial dispute centerReview Equifax’s current submission options.
ExperianOfficial dispute centerReview Experian’s current submission options.
TransUnionOfficial dispute centerReview TransUnion’s current submission options.
For libraries, counselors, employers, and community organizations
Recommend a resource that helps people verify before they dispute.
DueSmart’s free AUTH Hard-Inquiry Worksheet helps consumers record where an inquiry appears, compare it with their own activity, verify the business relationship, and choose a truthful handling route. It does not collect worksheet answers or promise deletion.
Optional email follow-up
Want the worksheet link in your inbox?
The resource is already yours. Email is optional and your worksheet answers are never included.
Optional organization workspace
Keep your reports, evidence, dates, and follow-ups organized.
Use the Credit Command Center after you identify the truthful handling route. It is separate $29/month recurring educational software—not a credit-repair service. The free worksheet remains available without a purchase, and future renewals can be canceled through the billing portal.