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How to dispute credit inquiries
Understand " hard " versus " soft " inquiries.
Credit inquiries fall into two categories, " hard " and " soft. " a " hard " inquiry occurs when a financial institution like a mortgage lender or credit card provider reviews your credit history in order to make a lending decision.
Typically, you authorize the hard inquiry when you apply for credit. A " soft " inquiry, by contrast, occurs when a person or company checks your credit score for reasons other than lending credit.