Hard vs. soft credit inquiries

Which credit checks affect your score, how long they stay, and what to do about one you did not authorize.

Soft inquiries

A soft inquiry happens when you check your own credit, or when a company pre-screens you for an offer. Soft inquiries do not affect your score.

Hard inquiries

A hard inquiry happens when you apply for credit and a lender pulls your report. It can lower a score by a few points, usually matters for about a year, and stays on your report for two years.

Shopping for a loan

When you shop for a mortgage, auto loan, or student loan, scoring models usually count several inquiries made within a short window (often 14 to 45 days, depending on the model) as one.

An inquiry you did not authorize

If you see a hard inquiry you never agreed to, dispute it with the bureau. It can also be a sign of identity theft, so check for accounts you do not recognize.