Soft pull credit, also known as a soft inquiry or soft credit check, refers to the process of accessing a person’s credit report without affecting their credit score. Unlike a hard pull (or hard inquiry), which typically occurs when a lender or creditor reviews an individual’s credit report as part of a credit application process (such as applying for a loan or credit card), a soft pull does not impact the individual’s credit score.
Soft pulls are commonly used for background checks, pre-approval offers, and account reviews by existing creditors.
They provide limited information from the credit report and are typically used for informational purposes rather than making lending decisions. Soft pulls may also occur when individuals check their own credit reports or when companies perform credit checks for non-credit-related purposes, such as employment screening or identity verification.
Because soft pulls do not affect credit scores, individuals can undergo multiple soft inquiries without worrying about their creditworthiness being negatively impacted. However, it’s important to note that while soft pulls are not visible to lenders or creditors reviewing an individual’s credit report, they are still recorded and can be seen by the individual when they review their own credit report.
Soft pull credit refers to the process of accessing a person’s credit report for informational purposes without impacting their credit score. It is commonly used for background checks, pre-approval offers, account reviews, and other non-credit-related purposes.
