Seeing “COAF” on your credit report and wondering what it means? Here’s what you need to know and how to get it removed if it doesn’t belong there.
What Is COAF on Your Credit Report?
COAF stands for Capital One Auto Finance. This code appears on your credit report when you apply for or manage a car loan through Capital One. You might also see it listed as “Cap One Auto” or “Capital One Auto Fin”—all variations that refer to the same lender.
Why COAF Might Show Up on Your Credit Report
COAF can appear for a few different reasons, including:
- You applied for a Capital One auto loan: This triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report.
- You already have a loan with Capital One Auto Finance: The loan account will show up under COAF.
- You co-signed for someone else’s auto loan: The loan activity will still be tied to your credit report.
- There’s an error or unauthorized inquiry: COAF might show up even if you didn’t apply.
- Identity theft: If you haven’t had any dealings with Capital One, this could be a sign someone else used your information.
How COAF Hard Inquiries Affect Your Credit Score
A hard inquiry from COAF can lower your credit score slightly. One inquiry usually drops your score by just a few points. But multiple inquiries within a short period can have a bigger impact, especially if you’re applying for other loans or credit cards at the same time.
How Long COAF Inquiries Stay on Your Credit Report
Hard inquiries from COAF remain on your credit report for up to two years. They’re reported to all three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. While they stay visible for two years, most credit scoring models only factor them into your score for about 12 months.
What to Do If the COAF Inquiry Wasn’t Authorized
If you don’t recognize the COAF entry on your credit report, act quickly to protect your credit.
- Contact Capital One Auto Finance to confirm the inquiry and ask for details.
- Dispute the inquiry with the credit bureaus if it wasn’t authorized.
- Monitor your credit reports for any other unusual activity or signs of identity theft.
Capital One Auto Finance Contact Info
Capital One Auto Finance
8050 Dominion Pkwy
Plano, TX 75024
Phone: (800) 946-0332
How to Remove COAF From Your Credit Report
If the COAF inquiry is unauthorized, you can dispute it with the credit bureaus directly. But the process can be time-consuming and confusing—especially if you’re dealing with multiple issues.
Credit Saint is a professional credit repair company that helps people remove inaccurate hard inquiries, along with other damaging marks like:
- Late payments
- Collections
- Charge-offs
- Repossessions
- Foreclosures
- Bankruptcies
Start Fixing Your Credit Today
Negative marks like hard inquiries don’t have to stick around forever. Credit Saint has helped thousands of people clean up their credit reports—and they even offer a 90-day money-back guarantee if you don’t see results.
Visit their website now to see how they can help you move toward a stronger credit score and better financial future.
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