What is a soft credit check?
Asked by: Brenna Lowe | Last update: June 20, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (59 votes)
What does a soft credit check show?
A soft pull on your credit shows basic personal information, a summary of your credit history, recent inquiries, any public records related to your credit, and sometimes a summary of your credit scores. It does not reveal detailed account-specific information and doesn't affect your credit score.
Should I worry about a soft credit check?
Soft inquiries do not affect credit scores and are not visible to potential lenders that may review your credit reports. They are visible to you and will stay on your credit reports for 12 to 24 months, depending on the type.
Can you fail a soft credit check?
Can I 'fail' a soft credit check? Don't worry, you can't 'fail' a soft credit check. With a soft search, you're not actually applying for anything – so it won't result in a lender's decision.
How many points does a soft inquiry affect credit score?
There are two types of credit score inquiries lenders and others (like yourself or your landlord) can make on your credit score: a "hard inquiry" and a "soft inquiry." The difference between the two is that a soft inquiry won't affect your score, but a hard inquiry can shave off some points.
Soft vs. Hard Credit Checks: What are the Differences? | Capital One
How long does a soft pull stay on your credit?
Like hard inquiries, soft inquiries remain on your credit reports for two years. However, because they're not related to an application for credit or a loan decision, they aren't associated with greater repayment risk and, therefore, have no effect on your credit score.
How can I raise my credit score 100 points in 30 days?
For most people, increasing a credit score by 100 points in a month isn't going to happen. But if you pay your bills on time, eliminate your consumer debt, don't run large balances on your cards and maintain a mix of both consumer and secured borrowing, an increase in your credit could happen within months.
Can banks see soft credit checks?
A soft credit check doesn't leave a visible footprint on your credit file, but it is recorded. This means no other lenders can see it.
Can I run a soft credit check on myself?
You can view the soft inquiries on your credit reports. If you want to get copies of your credit report, you can request one free copy from each major credit bureau (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) weekly through AnnualCreditReport.com. You can also check your Experian credit report for free.
What is a good credit score?
For a score with a range of 300 to 850, a credit score of 670 to 739 is considered good. Credit scores of 740 and above are very good while 800 and higher are excellent.
Does a soft credit check affect buying a house?
To prequalify you for a loan, lenders check your credit report but conduct a “soft” inquiry, or “soft pull,” in which they prescreen your report without it affecting your score. A “hard” credit inquiry, in contrast — which happens when you get preapproved or formally apply for a loan — can adversely impact your score.
Why is my credit score going down when I pay on time?
Maintaining a good credit score is crucial for various financial needs. Your credit score can drop despite paying on time due to factors like high utilisation ratio, reduction in available credit limit, incorrect information in your credit report, or opening multiple new accounts.
What habit lowers your credit score?
Late or missed payments can cause your credit score to decline. The impact can vary depending on your credit score — the higher your score, the more likely you are to see a steep drop. Late or missed payments can also stay on your credit report for several years, which is why it is extremely important to avoid them.
How accurate is a soft credit check?
Is a soft pull as accurate as a hard pull? Soft pulls can be as accurate as a hard credit pull and provide much of the same information. However, they won't affect your credit score like a hard pull would.
Can a company do a soft credit check without permission?
They may also occur when an employer reviews your credit or an insurance company needs to provide you with a quote. And while soft inquiries can be pulled without your permission, they don't affect your credit score and they're only visible to you.
How many credit checks are too many?
Hard pulls can affect your credit score and may also hurt your eligibility for new credit cards and/or loans — especially if the number of inquiries reaches six.
Is 650 a good credit score?
A 650 credit score is generally considered “fair.” A score in this range may limit you from certain financial opportunities. Payment history, monitoring your credit and lowering your credit utilization ratio can be helpful ways to improve this score over time.
Does a soft credit check show your income?
And while lenders often factor your income into their lending decisions, they'll typically get that information directly from you during the credit application process. Because it is not part of your credit report, income is not considered by credit scoring systems that use only your credit history.
What information is needed for a soft credit check?
Personal details like your name, home address and date of birth. A list of any types of credit you currently have, including any bank accounts, loans and credit card accounts, and any outstanding debts. Details of your repayment history, including any missed or late payments.
What shows on a soft credit check?
A soft credit check shows the same information as a hard inquiry. This includes your loans and lines of credit as well as their payment history and any collections accounts, tax liens or other public records in your name.
How many points is a soft credit check?
In many cases, a hard credit inquiry will only drop your score by about five points — and soft credit inquiries won't affect your score at all.
What affects your credit score the most?
1. Payment History: 35% Your payment history carries the most weight in factors that affect your credit score, because it reveals whether you have a history of repaying funds that are loaned to you.
Is a 900 credit score possible?
What is the highest credit score possible? To start off: No, it's not possible to have a 900 credit score in the United States. In some countries that use other models, like Canada, people could have a score of 900. The current scoring models in the U.S. have a maximum of 850.
How to ask for late payment forgiveness?
If you missed a payment because of extenuating circumstances and you've brought account current, you could try to contact the creditor or send a goodwill letter and ask them to remove the late payment.
What is a good credit score to buy a house?
About 70% of all mortgages are conventional loans, making it the most common type of mortgage. A FICO score of 620 or better is typically required for a conventional loan and, if your score is 760 or higher, you should qualify for the best interest rates.