A soft inquiry is a record that your credit report was viewed for a reason that isn't a new application, like an existing lender's account review, a prescreened offer, or you checking your own report. Soft inquiries appear only on your own copy and do not affect your credit scores.
Also called: soft pull, soft credit check, account review inquiry, promotional inquiry, prescreen inquiry
What it means
A soft inquiry is a logged look at your credit file that did not come from you applying for new credit. The CFPB lists common examples: lenders or insurers reviewing accounts you already have, prospective lenders prescreening you for offers, employment screening, and your own requests for your report. The CFPB says these will not affect your credit scores.
Soft inquiries show up only on the copy of the report you get yourself. Lenders who pull your report see hard inquiries, not soft ones.
Where it comes from
The bureaus decide how to classify inquiries using their own business rules. The CFPB’s 2012 report on the credit reporting system notes that some insurance, utility, and government inquiries may be treated as soft, and that employment inquiries are commonly placed in the soft section. Each listed inquiry should show a date and a type, such as a consumer request, an account review, or a prescreen.
Prescreening has its own rules under 15 U.S.C. § 1681b(c). A company can get a list of consumers for a firm offer of credit or insurance only if you haven’t opted out, and the bureau may not report a record of those inquiries to other users.
What you’ll see
On your own report, soft inquiries may be labeled “promotional,” “account review,” “consumer disclosure,” or “inquiries that don’t affect your credit.” The labels vary by bureau.
Common errors
- An account review from a company you have never had an account with. That suggests a mixed file or an account opened by an identity thief.
- An employer or landlord inquiry you never authorized. Employment reports require your written authorization first.
- A hard inquiry mislabeled as soft, or the reverse.
How to dispute it
A soft inquiry is usually harmless to your score, but it can be a clue. If you don’t recognize the company, find out why it had your report. Ask the company what purpose it certified, and dispute the entry with the bureau if it doesn’t belong to you.
When it can be an FCRA violation
A soft inquiry still means someone obtained your report. If that company had no permissible purpose, the pull may violate § 1681b(f) even though your score didn’t change.
If an unexplained inquiry points to a deeper problem the bureau won’t fix, FCRA Attorneys offers a free case review, and you pay no fee unless we win.
Related
- Hard inquiry
- Permissible purpose
- File disclosure
- Consumer reporting agency
- How to Remove Hard Inquiries From Your Credit Report, and Which Ones You Can't
- How to Dispute Credit Report Errors With Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
- Can Someone Run a Background Check Without Your Consent?
Sources
- CFPB, What is a credit inquiry?
- CFPB, Key Dimensions and Processes in the U.S. Credit Reporting System (2012)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681b, permissible purposes of consumer reports (Cornell LII)
Updated November 2026. This glossary is written by FCRA Attorneys from public sources. It is general information, not legal advice, and is not affiliated with any credit bureau or industry association.