Examples of hard credit inquiries
A lender may perform a hard inquiry when you apply for a new loan or line of credit, such as a credit card, personal loan, mortgage, car loan or student loan. Landlords may also perform a hard credit pull when you apply to rent a home.
What is a soft credit inquiry?
Soft credit inquiries — sometimes called “soft credit checks” or “soft pulls” — happen when you request your own credit report, when a lender reviews your credit report for preapproval, or when a lender you already work with checks your credit.
Unlike hard inquiries, soft inquiries can happen even if you didn’t authorize them.
How does a soft credit check affect your credit?
Soft inquiries typically stay on your credit report for 2 years, but they do not affect your credit score.
Examples of soft inquiries
Soft inquiries can happen when:
- You check your own credit
- Lenders check your credit to pre-qualify you for an offer
- Employers check your credit as part of an employment screening process
Your current creditors may also perform soft pulls periodically.
Unauthorized or unfamiliar inquiries
Understanding the difference between soft and hard credit inquiries can help you better evaluate your credit report for errors and fraud.
Federal law entitles you to a free copy of your credit report from the 3 major credit bureaus every 12 months. Currently, you can also request a free copy of your credit report from each of the 3 major credit bureaus every week at annualcreditreport.com. When reviewing your credit report, you may see unfamiliar soft inquiries. However, remember that lenders can check your credit for pre-approval offers, and your existing creditors may occasionally check your credit. Those aren’t a cause for concern.
Unauthorized hard inquiries, however, can be signs of fraud or mistakes.
If you see an unauthorized hard inquiry, you can dispute it with the credit bureau. It’s also a good idea to contact the institution that performed the inquiry.
If you suspect you’re a victim of fraud, you can freeze your credit. That would restrict access to your credit report and can help prevent fraudsters from applying for new credit in your name. If you go that route, remember that you’ll have to lift the freeze to apply for a job, rent an apartment or apply for new credit.
Soft inquiries vs. hard inquiries: FAQs
Do you need to worry about soft credit inquiries?
No. Soft inquiries don’t affect your credit score, so you don’t have to worry about seeing them on your credit report.
What’s the difference between hard inquiry and soft inquiry?
Hard credit inquiries affect your credit and require your permission, while soft credit inquiries don’t impact your credit and may happen without your permission.
Do hard credit inquiries go away?
Yes, hard credit inquiries disappear from your credit report after 2 years.
Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and is not a substitute for professional advice. It does not indicate the availability of any Citi product or service. For advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a qualified professional.
