Soft inquiry
Also called Soft pull, Soft credit check
A credit check that does not affect your credit score, such as checking your own credit or a lender prescreening you for an offer.
What it means
Soft inquiries occur when your credit is reviewed for reasons other than a new credit application. Examples include checking your own score, an existing lender reviewing your account, prequalification tools, prescreened offers in the mail and some employer background checks, which require your permission.
Soft inquiries may appear on the copy of your report that you see, but other lenders cannot see them and they do not affect credit scores. Prequalification based on a soft pull is only an estimate; a formal application usually requires a hard inquiry.
Example
For example, someone uses a lender’s prequalification tool and sees they may qualify for a personal loan at around 12% APR. That check is soft and does not change their score. If they then submit a full application, the lender will typically do a hard pull.
How it’s used
- Checking your own credit score
- Seeing likely loan or card offers without a score impact
- Account reviews by existing lenders
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.