Credit Checks -

Soft inquiries happen when your credit report is checked for reasons not related to a formal credit application.

Hard vs Soft Inquiries: Different Credit Checks - TransUnion credit checks

: Multiple hard inquiries in a short window can signal financial distress to lenders. Soft inquiries happen when your credit report is

Understanding the difference between the two main types of inquiries— and soft —is essential for protecting your credit score. 1. Hard Inquiries (Hard Pulls) credit checks

: These typically lower your credit score by a few points (usually fewer than five).

: Use a Safe Harbor Period when shopping for loans. Most scoring models treat multiple inquiries for the same loan type (like a mortgage) within a 14- to 45-day window as a single inquiry. 2. Soft Inquiries (Soft Pulls)