Soft Credit Pull
What Is a Soft Credit Pull?
A soft credit pull is a type of credit inquiry that does not affect a person’s credit score.
It often occurs during:
- Prequalification offers
- Personal credit monitoring
- Background checks
Soft pulls do not indicate active borrowing intent.
Why It Matters
Soft credit pulls:
- Allow lenders to provide preliminary offers
- Enable consumers to check their own credit
- Do not impact credit scoring models
They are useful for rate shopping and monitoring without risk.
How Soft Credit Pull Works
Soft credit pull accesses credit file data without signaling new debt risk to scoring models.
The inquiry appears on the consumer’s credit report but is not visible to other lenders.
Because no formal credit application occurs, scoring impact is avoided.
Soft Credit Pull vs. Hard Credit Inquiry
Soft Pull → No score impact
Hard Inquiry → May temporarily lower score
The difference lies in lending intent.
FAQs About Soft Credit Pulls
Can you see soft pulls on your report?
Yes, they appear in your personal credit file.
Do lenders see soft pulls?
Other lenders typically do not see soft inquiries.
Are preapproved offers based on soft pulls?
Yes, most preapproval screenings rely on soft inquiries.
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