How to Remove Avantus LLC From Your Credit Report

If Avantus LLC or Xactus just appeared on your credit report, you’re probably not familiar with either name. That’s common. Unlike big banks or credit card companies, Avantus is a behind-the-scenes player that most people never hear about until they spot it on their credit report.

The short version: Avantus LLC was a mortgage credit reporting agency that has since rebranded as Xactus. If you recently applied for a mortgage or went through any kind of lending process, there’s a good chance that’s what triggered the entry. Here’s what it means, how it affects your credit score, and what to do if you didn’t authorize it.

What Is Avantus LLC?

Avantus LLC was a credit reporting agency that specialized in mortgage credit reports and verification services for lenders. They worked behind the scenes to help lenders assess borrowers before approving loans. Their services included soft credit checks, employment verification, tax return verification, and tenant screening.

Avantus has since merged with other companies in the industry and rebranded as Xactus. You may see either name on your credit report depending on when the inquiry was made, but they refer to the same operation.

Why Avantus LLC or Xactus Is on Your Credit Report

Avantus and Xactus don’t lend money directly. They act as a middleman, pulling your credit on behalf of a lender who hired them to verify your financial background. If you applied for a mortgage, refinance, or another loan product, the lender likely used Avantus or Xactus to run the credit check.

That pull shows up on your credit report as a hard inquiry tied to the Avantus or Xactus name rather than the lender’s name, which is why it can catch people off guard.

How an Avantus LLC Inquiry Affects Your Credit Score

A single hard inquiry from Avantus or Xactus will typically cause a small dip in your credit score, usually just a few points. On its own, that’s not a serious concern. The situation becomes more complicated if you’ve had multiple hard inquiries in a short window, which can make you appear to lenders as a higher-risk borrower.

The good news is that the impact fades. Hard inquiries have the most effect on your credit score in the first few months and become much less significant after that, even though they remain visible on your credit report for two years.

How Long Avantus LLC Stays on Your Credit Report

A hard inquiry from Avantus or Xactus remains on your credit report for two years from the date it was pulled. All three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, will show it during that time.

The effect on your credit score, however, typically fades after six to twelve months. So while the entry lingers, its practical impact on your creditworthiness diminishes well before it drops off.

What to Do If You Never Applied for a Loan

If you see an Avantus or Xactus hard inquiry on your credit report and you haven’t recently applied for a mortgage or any other loan, that’s worth investigating. It could be an error, or it could indicate that someone used your personal information to apply for credit without your knowledge.

Here’s how to handle it:

• Contact Xactus directly: Ask them to identify which lender requested the inquiry and when it was made. This will help you determine whether it’s tied to something you recognize.
• Request removal: If they can’t connect the inquiry to a legitimate application you authorized, ask them to remove it from your credit report.
• Dispute with the credit bureaus: File a formal dispute with any credit bureau showing the unauthorized entry. Provide your personal information and a clear explanation of why the inquiry shouldn’t be there.

Credit bureaus are required to investigate disputes and respond within 30 days.

Avantus LLC Contact Information

If you need to reach Avantus or Xactus to ask about an inquiry or begin a dispute, here is their contact information:

Phone: (800) 243-0120

Mailing Address: Avantus LLC, 70 Jefferson Blvd, 4th Floor, Warwick, RI 02888

Bottom Line

Avantus LLC and its successor Xactus are mortgage credit reporting agencies that pull your credit on behalf of lenders. If you recently applied for a home loan or refinance, that’s almost certainly what triggered the entry on your credit report. If you didn’t, it’s worth a phone call to find out what happened.

Either way, keeping tabs on your credit report regularly is the best way to catch entries like this early. The sooner you spot something that doesn’t belong, the faster you can dispute it and protect your credit score.