The term used to describe a credit report check that does not impact the borrower's credit score. Also known as a "soft pull." Soft inquiries as a rule come from evaluations that don't result in the granting of credit. For example, consumers can check their own credit as much as they like without it affecting their score. Other [..]

An instance in which a credit report is accessed without affecting a consumer's credit rating. Soft inquiries include a consumer's request for his/her credit report; promotional inquiries by credit card companies; and account review inquires by a consumer's existing creditors.

Any check of a person’s credit report that occurs when the person’s credit is not being reviewed by a prospective lender. Examples include inquiries as part of a background check, a person checking hi [..]

A designation a person's credit report that indicates that someone has asked for a copy of his or her report. They are not included in the formula for determining a person's credit score.