Seeing WFDS or WDS on your credit report can be confusing if you don’t recognize the codes. Here’s what they mean, how they affect your credit, and how to get unauthorized inquiries removed.
What Is WFDS/WDS on Your Credit Report?
WFDS stands for Wells Fargo Dealer Services, and WDS refers to Wachovia Dealer Services. Both are tied to auto financing.
If you’ve applied for a car loan through Wells Fargo or Wachovia, you may see WFDS or WDS listed on your credit report. After Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia in 2008, these services were combined under the Wells Fargo Auto brand.
When you apply for a car loan, Wells Fargo checks your credit, which results in a hard inquiry showing up as WFDS or WDS.
How WFDS/WDS Hard Inquiries Affect Your Credit Score
A hard inquiry happens when a lender reviews your credit as part of a loan application. This can happen with:
- Auto loans
- Credit cards
- Mortgages
- Some rental applications
Hard inquiries can lower your credit score by a few points. One inquiry has a minor impact, but multiple inquiries within a short period can raise concerns for lenders.
If you’re applying for several types of credit at once, it could make you look financially overextended, making it harder to get approved.
How Long WFDS/WDS Stays on Your Credit Report
WFDS and WDS hard inquiries stay on your credit report for up to two years. The impact on your credit score is most noticeable in the first year and fades over time.
Whether your loan application was approved or denied, the inquiry remains on your credit report as a record that your credit was reviewed.
What to Do About Unauthorized WFDS/WDS Inquiries
If you see WFDS or WDS on your credit report and you didn’t apply for an auto loan, it could be a reporting error or a sign of fraud.
Here’s how to handle it:
- Contact Wells Fargo Auto: Ask them to verify the details of the inquiry and explain why it appears on your credit report.
- Dispute the inquiry with the credit bureaus: If the inquiry was unauthorized or made in error, file disputes with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to request removal.
- Monitor your credit reports: Check your credit regularly for any other unauthorized activity or suspicious changes.
You can request free copies of your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Wells Fargo Auto Loan Contact Information
- Mailing Address:
Wells Fargo Auto
P.O. Box 168048
Irving, TX 75016-8048 - Phone Number:
(800) 289-8004
Can You Remove WFDS/WDS From Your Credit Report?
Yes — but only in certain situations. If the WFDS or WDS inquiry is unauthorized, incorrect, or you suspect identity theft, you can dispute it and request removal.
You can handle the dispute process yourself, or work with a trusted credit repair company like Credit Saint. They’ve helped thousands of people successfully challenge negative items on their credit reports, including:
- late payments
- collections
- charge-offs
- foreclosures
- repossessions
- bankruptcies
Take Control of Your Credit
Struggling with bad credit? You don’t have to figure it out alone. A free credit consultation with Credit Saint can help you understand your options for improving your credit report.
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