Whether a lender can perform a credit check without your permission hinges on the type of inquiry that’s requested. A soft check doesn’t require your permission, while a hard check does. Lenders can perform a soft credit check without your consent to prequalify you for a credit card, which occurs without an application. Utility companies, insurance providers, and prospective employers also can legally perform soft credit checks and are not obliged to obtain your permission. However, if you’re directly applying to acquire a loan, the lender will need to conduct a hard credit check on your file and thus requires your consent to do so.