Soft Inquiry

What Is a Soft Inquiry?

A soft inquiry, sometimes called a soft pull, is a type of credit check that typically does not affect your credit score. These inquiries may occur when you check your own credit, when a lender pre-screens you for a promotional offer, or when an employer reviews your credit history as part of a background check. Unlike hard inquiries, soft inquiries are generally not visible to other lenders reviewing your credit report.

Why It Matters for Your Credit

Understanding the difference between soft and hard inquiries can help you monitor your credit with confidence. Because soft inquiries do not typically influence your credit score, you can check your own credit report as often as you like without worry. This makes regular self-monitoring a healthy financial habit rather than a risk. Staying aware of your credit history allows you to spot errors, track your progress, and prepare before applying for loans or other financial products.

Soft inquiries may still appear on your personal credit report, depending on the credit bureau. However, they are generally invisible to creditors and lenders who pull your report for lending decisions, meaning they carry no negative weight in those evaluations.

Practical Example

Suppose you use a free credit monitoring service to check your score on a Tuesday afternoon. That check is considered a soft inquiry. Similarly, if a credit card company reviews your profile to send you a pre-approved offer in the mail, that review is also typically recorded as a soft inquiry. Neither action will lower your score or signal financial risk to future lenders.

By contrast, when you formally apply for a mortgage, auto loan, or new credit card, the lender will generally conduct a hard inquiry, which may have a small, temporary impact on your score.

Sources

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). “What is the difference between a soft inquiry and a hard inquiry?” Available at:
  consumerfinance.gov
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC). “Free Credit Reports.” Available at:
  consumer.ftc.gov