Hard inquiry
Also called Hard pull, Hard credit check
A check of your credit by a lender when you apply for new credit, which appears on your report and can lower your score slightly.
What it means
A hard inquiry happens when you apply for a credit card, loan or sometimes an apartment and give the company permission to pull your credit. It shows up on your credit report, where other lenders can see it, and usually stays there for up to two years. FICO scores consider only inquiries from the past 12 months.
One inquiry usually lowers a score by only a few points, but several new applications in a short time can signal risk. Scoring models treat rate shopping differently: multiple mortgage, auto or student loan inquiries within a short window, typically 14 to 45 days depending on the model, are generally counted as one. Credit card applications do not get this treatment.
Example
For example, a buyer who applies with four mortgage lenders over two weeks to compare rates would typically see those inquiries counted as a single inquiry for scoring, while four credit card applications in two weeks would each count.
How it’s used
- Applying for a loan or credit card
- Shopping for the best mortgage or auto loan rate
- Reviewing a report for inquiries you did not authorize
Good to know
- An unfamiliar hard inquiry can be a sign of fraud and is worth disputing.
Related terms
Educational information only, not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules, limits and rates change; check the IRS, your lender or plan, or a qualified professional before acting.