Inquiries

An inquiry into your credit history may or may not be counted against you. 

If you are inquiring about your credit report through a company that you are applying for a new account with, then it will have a negative impact on your credit score.

 

However, there are many other types of inquiries that do not count against you for your credit score.  These include:

• When you personally request a copy of your credit report or credit score (no matter how many times you request it – even more than your one free credit report per year).
• When a company requests your credit score or report for the purpose of unsolicited offers (including unsolicited credit card “pre-approved” offers)
• When you request your free copy of your credit report after you have been declined credit
• When you request multiple loans to check rates on items such as auto loans or home mortgage loans.  As long as you request the loans for the same type of loan and within a short period (usually less than two weeks), then it will only count as a single entry into your credit report – not multiple inquiries.

Negative Information

Negative information can include a variety of items, but often includes information about any bankruptcies, collections, delinquencies, or any suits against you. 

If there is negative information in your credit report that is false, then you have a right (and obligation to yourself) to dispute it.