As you probably know, hard inquiries are bad for your credit because it shows that a lender for some reason is taking in consideration your credit history to obtain a loan. So if other people inquire about your credit history and see lots of hard inquiries, they think that you need money and it is a known fact that people who need money are riskier than those that don’t.

You have tried the first thing to do and that was contact Transunion to remove the hard inquiry. It is a fact that they need something in writing and can’t remove it just by a phone call. Since the number listed on the report is not working, the next step is to send Transunion a letter or dispute the hard inquiry online. If you decide to use the certified letter method, below is a form letter you can use:

---Quote---

Full Name
Address
Attention: Bureau
Bureau's Address

To Whom It May Concern,

This letter is a formal request to remove unauthorized inquiries from my credit report. I’ve enclosed a copy of the credit report that your organization provided me on of Report. I’ve listed the unauthorized inquiries below and also circled them in red on the enclosed report

Line Item Number:
Creditor:

Before making this request, I contacted the organizations responsible for these unauthorized inquires asking them to remove them. I sent letters via certified mail and have proof they were received more than 30 days ago. They have failed to respond and therefore I ask for your assistance in resolving this issue.

In accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, I request that you investigate my claim and if you find my claim to be valid and accurate, please delete the unauthorized inquiries.

Furthermore, I ask that you send a corrected copy of my credit report to the above address.

If your investigation determines the inquiry was authorized, I respectfully request that you forward to me a description of the procedure used to determine this within 15 days of the completion of your re-investigation.

Regards,
Name

---End of Quote

You can also go online at: http://www.transunion.com/corporate/personal/creditDisputes/submitDispute.page
And dispute the inquiry online. Good luck! :-)

I had a similar situation only the collection agency on my report was an actual negative item that had not previously been reported. When I contacted with the bureau that the item had been reported to, they advised that that I would have to send them a letter in writing stating the item that was I disputing and that once they received the letter, they would mark on my report that the item/amount was currently being disputed by the consumer

After their investigation, I was informed that the item was in fact a valid outstanding item. Unfortunately for me it was, and I had to pay the amount in order to have the status of the item changed on my credit report. So I would contact the credit bureaus showing the report either with a written letter or online and let them investigate the inquiry or negative item that you want to dispute.

First look up the name of the Company in the phone book, including the 800 number book, and see if you can find an alternate line. If you can't than tell Transunion the number they provided on their report is a non-working number and you dispute this inquiry.
Let them know you want some type of verification from the Company as to the reason they have made derogatory reporting to your account. It is the reporting Companies responsibility to prove their report. Tell Transunion you have never heard of this Company and have no business with them. Tell them they are reporting false info' and Transunion is providing incorrect contact info'.
I will tell you this most of these types of scenarios turn out to be a creditor who has writen off the loss but wants to get back at you. It usually comes from a hospital visit, a Doctor's office or a large Company with a to small dollar amount to chase.