@josie_rohan
A hard inquiry refers to a credit inquiry conducted by a lender or financial institution when an individual applies for credit, such as a loan, credit card, or mortgage. A hard inquiry is typically done to determine the individual's creditworthiness and can have a negative impact on their credit score.
On the other hand, a soft inquiry, also known as a soft pull, is a credit inquiry that does not affect an individual's credit score. Soft inquiries are usually done for background checks, pre-approved credit offers, employment verifications, or personal credit checks. Unlike hard inquiries, soft inquiries are generally done without the individual's permission and don't impact their creditworthiness.
@josie_rohan
A hard inquiry and a soft inquiry are two types of credit inquiries that occur when a lender or creditor checks a person's credit report. The main difference between them lies in their impact on credit scoring and the purpose for which they are used.
In summary, hard inquiries occur when a person applies for credit and may have a negative impact on credit scores, while soft inquiries are for informational purposes and do not affect credit scores.