Soft inquiry
A soft inquiry is a credit check that does not result from a new credit application, such as checking your own score, a prequalification offer, or a background check. It is visible only to you and does not factor into your score.
Why it matters
It matters because, unlike a hard inquiry, a soft inquiry is not part of the new credit factor in your FICO score, so you can check your own credit as often as you like without affecting it.
Example
Viewing your own VantageScore in a free app like Credit Karma, or getting a prequalified card offer in the mail, is a soft inquiry.
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Educational only — not financial advice. No guarantees.