Soft inquiries do not affect your credit scores. Hard inquiries can affect them. Read the credit authorization and ask the partner which type of inquiry they use.
Soft and hard inquiries
A credit inquiry is a request to review your credit report. Soft inquiries include checking your own report and certain screening reviews. Hard inquiries commonly occur when you apply for credit and a lender evaluates your application.
Soft inquiries do not affect credit scores; hard inquiries can affect them. The CFPB’s guide to credit inquiries explains both types.
Exploring options with BorrowForward
Submitting a request through BorrowForward does not, by itself, affect your credit score. Participating partners may review credit as part of evaluating a request. Read the authorization presented during the process and ask about the inquiry type before proceeding.
Questions to ask a partner
- Will this step use a soft inquiry or a hard inquiry?
- At what point will you check my credit?
- Could continuing to a full application involve another inquiry?
- Where can I read the credit authorization?
A match is not a loan approval
A match means a partner may be able to continue reviewing your request. It does not guarantee approval or particular loan terms. You can review the next steps and decide whether to proceed. Read what to expect after a request.
General educational information. BorrowForward is a matching service, not a lender. Availability and loan terms depend on the lender and your eligibility.