You might be confused about what “online loans with no traditional credit check” might mean. Most lenders do not query the big 3 credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) for a “’hard credit check”. They may search consumer databases (TeleTrack, Clarity Services, Inc. or CL Verify) to review your loan history and verify your identity with a “soft credit check”. A “soft credit check” will not affect your credit score and is only visible to you. “Instant loans without a traditional credit check” means that your credit is not checked with the big 3 credit bureaus and will not affect your credit score.
There are two types of credit inquiries that can occur on your credit report - hard credit inquiries and soft credit inquiries. Many financial institutions, companies, and employers use both soft and hard credit inquiries to gather more information on a consumer's credit history. Credit inquiries made with or without your permission can negatively affect your credit reports and scores. You should be aware of what credit inquiries are negatively affecting your credit score as there is a fundamental difference between the two types of credit inquiries.
Read on to discover the difference between hard and soft credit inquiries and how to manage them.
Credit inquiries usually refer to viewing a consumer's credit report or score by a creditor after the creditor receives a credit application from the consumer or the consumer accepts a credit offer from the creditor. Credit inquiries can be either soft or hard.
Soft credit inquiries occur when an individual checks his or her credit report, and when a credit bureau or company, an employer or person that is not a potential lender checks into that individual's credit report as part of a standard background check.
Although both hard and soft inquiries may remain on your credit report for two years or 24 months, only hard inquiries will have an impact on your credit score.
A hard inquiry occurs when a potential creditor or financial institution, such as a lender or credit card or charge card issuer pulls or checks your credit report when you apply for any credit, such as a loan, credit card, mortgage, etc. with them. Hard inquiries are initiated by financial institutions when making a lending decision, and prospective consumers or credit applicants typically have to authorize them. Hard inquiries lower an applicant's credit score.
When a hard inquiry is made, it could reduce your credit score by a few points and may remain on your credit report for two years. A single inquiry may not hurt your credit score as much as you would think, but if multiple inquiries are made over a short period, your credit score could be lowered by many more points. Fortunately, credit scores are only affected by hard inquiries made in the past 12 months.
A hard inquiry takes place most commonly when you apply for credit, such as a loan of any kind, credit card, a mortgage, etc. through a financial institution. Typically you have to authorize the lender to initiate the inquiry meaning pulling or checking your credit report. Once you have applied for any credit, the potential creditor or lender will access and evaluate your credit report to make a lending decision.
They will review your credit score, assess risk factors and determine whether you are qualified to secure new lines of credit, such as secure a credit card, a new credit account, better interest rates, or secure an increase in your credit card limit.
A soft inquiry typically occurs when an individual checks his or her credit report, and when a credit bureau or company, an employer or person that is not a potential lender pulls or verifies that individual's credit report as part of a standard background check.
For example, soft credit inquiries occur when potential employers run background checks before they hire for new jobs, when credit card companies gather consumers' credit information from credit bureaus such as Equifax, Experian, and
TransUnion and send pre-approved credit card offers to their targeted consumers, and when you check your credit score.
Keep in mind, unlike hard inquiries, a soft search inquiry may occur without your permission and it will not negatively affect your credit score. Moreover, soft search inquiries may or may not be recorded on your credit file or report, depending on the credit bureau.
By knowing the key difference between hard and soft credit inquiries, you can make the right decision when you or a company or person with a legal right and authorized by you could check your credit. The key difference between hard and soft credit inquiries is:
- Soft inquiries have no impact on consumers' credit scores and are only viewable on credit reports are seen by the consumers.
- Hard inquiries are visible to both consumers and creditors and can have a negative impact on your credit report and credit score.
Credit inquiries are often overlooked but deserve your attention as they have the potential to impact your credit standing. However, it is important to realize that only hard inquiries can negatively affect your credit score.
You can only dispute hard inquiries that have occurred without your permission. If a hard inquiry was made by someone (e.g., a company or person) without your authorization, you might be able to dispute it. Check your credit report to see the full details of the inquiry. Determine if you should dispute the hard credit inquiry that occurred without your permission. If you have authorized hard inquiry meaning they show up on your credit report for up to two years.
It is important to realize the importance of checking your credit report and score from time to time to make sure you are aware of the inquiries that show up on your credit report. Every hard credit inquiry has the potential to hurt your credit score. To keep track of hard credit inquiries, check your credit scores and credit reports. You can check your credit scores at a reputable credit website authorized to obtain credit report and score from credit bureaus. You can check your credit report and score as often as you like without affecting your credit score.