Sunday, August 21, 2011

Does Checking Your Credit Affect Your Credit Score?

All inquiries or credit checks show up on a credit report, but not all inquiries will affect a credit score. Some credit checks will only be visible to you when requesting a copy of your own credit report. Personal credit report requests, employment checks and pre-approved offers are some of the inquiries that do not affect a credit score.

Self Checking

    Checking your own credit will not affect your credit score. The inquiry for your personal credit report will not show up when potential lenders request a credit check.

Outside Inquiries

    Outside inquiries made by potential lenders can affect a credit score. Credit applications resulting in numerous credit inquiries can lower a credit score. These inquiries are visible to lenders and remain on a credit report for 2 years.

Pre-Approved Offers

    Credit card companies and banks often send out pre-screened offers with teaser rates as a marketing strategy. These pre-approved or pre-screened offers do not affect your credit score.

Employment Credit Checks

    Employer credit checks will not affect a credit score. Employment inquiries will only be visible to the consumer when he requests a copy of his credit report.

Open Account Inquiries

    When a person has an account with a lender, the company will occasionally check the person's credit report to review their score. These open account inquiries do not affect a credit score.

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