If Sears/CBNA just showed up on your credit report, you might be wondering what it means—and if it’s hurting your credit. Here’s what you need to know and how to remove it if necessary.
What Is Sears/CBNA on Your Credit Report?
Sears/CBNA stands for Sears and Citibank North America. You’ll usually see this on your credit report after applying for a Sears Mastercard, which is issued by Citibank. The Sears Mastercard offers financing options and rewards for purchases at Sears and other retailers.
When Citibank reviews your credit during the application process, that inquiry appears on your credit report as Sears/CBNA.
Why Sears/CBNA Appears on Your Credit Report
Applying for a Sears Mastercard triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report. Hard inquiries happen anytime a lender checks your credit to decide whether to approve you for a loan or credit card.
Even if your application gets denied, the inquiry remains as a record of your recent credit activity.
How Sears/CBNA Inquiries Affect Your Credit Score
A single hard inquiry from Sears/CBNA can lower your credit score by a few points. While this small drop is temporary, multiple hard inquiries in a short period can add up and raise red flags for lenders.
If you’re planning a major purchase or applying for other loans, it’s smart to limit unnecessary credit applications to help keep your credit score stable.
How Long Sears/CBNA Stays on Your Credit Report
A hard inquiry from Sears/CBNA can stay on your credit report for up to two years. The impact on your credit score fades over time, but the inquiry itself stays visible to lenders until it falls off automatically after 24 months.
Keeping an eye on your credit report can help you track these inquiries and avoid surprises.
What to Do If You Didn’t Authorize a Sears/CBNA Inquiry
If you spot a Sears/CBNA inquiry on your credit report and didn’t apply for a Sears Mastercard, take these steps right away:
- Contact Citibank: Ask for details about the inquiry. They can tell you if it was legitimate or made in error.
- Dispute the Inquiry: If it wasn’t authorized, file a dispute with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion to have it removed.
- Protect Your Credit: If you suspect identity theft, consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your report to help prevent further unauthorized activity.
Can You Remove Sears/CBNA From Your Credit Report?
If the Sears/CBNA inquiry was made without your permission or reported incorrectly, you can dispute it with the credit bureaus. Removing inaccurate hard inquiries is one way to keep your credit report clean and your credit score protected.
Many people turn to professional help for dealing with unauthorized inquiries or other negative items. Credit Saint is a trusted credit repair company that works to remove hard inquiries, late payments, collections, charge-offs, repossessions, foreclosures, and even bankruptcies from credit reports.
Need Help Repairing Your Credit?
If bad credit is holding you back, consider scheduling a free credit consultation with Credit Saint. They even offer a 90-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with their service.
Visit their website, fill out the short form, and take the first step toward improving your credit.
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