Review your credit reports from all three bureaus
Identify every hard inquiry you do not recognize
Contact the lender that made the inquiry
Ask the lender to verify the authorization
Request removal if the inquiry was unauthorized
Dispute inaccurate inquiries with each credit bureau
Provide supporting documents for your dispute
Follow up until the dispute is resolved
File a fraud alert if you suspect identity theft
Place a credit freeze if needed
Wait for legitimate hard inquiries to age off your report
Keep records of all calls, letters, and dispute confirmations