I was reading past posts and one member asked another about the number of 'hard pulls' on the credit report. Can someone explain? Thank you in advance.
A Hard Pull is a request for credit that can be viewed by anyone whom looks at your report. The Hard Pull is typically generated by your request for Credit. It can also be genertaed by Collectors,Insurance Companies,Rental Agencies, Employment Etc.... A Soft Pull is what a marketing company would use for collecting pre-screened applicants or even your existing company if they are feeling you are on the edge and may need a "Rate-Jacking" due to their perceoption of your risk level. Soft Pulls can only be viewed by You, and cause no damage or score loss. Hard Pulls typically cost you 3-9 FICO points and can be a basis for Credit denial.
Equifax seems to be much more apt to remove them with a simple dispute.Experian will hols on to them for dear life and is very difficult to dispute for removal.Trans Union is a mix of the two...Sometimes yes sometimes no. You used to be able "Bump" inquiries from EXP by pulling your own softs over and over until the system began to "bump" the hard pulls as the data fields became overfilled in the soft pull zone. Unsure if this still works though.
Bump still works for TU and Eq..I have never been able to do it on Exp.. I personally use TC and pull my CRs daily..Give it try. frioguy
Save your time as Equifax will remove them no questions asked if disputed. Experian will not remove and is the one to attempt "Bump" with. Dunno as I'm not trying to buy a house anytime soon and the inquiries I have this past year have not held me back from the 700+ club. Minus 3-7 Points per Inq. Why bother unless you are house shopping or just on the verge of being "Buyable" in the CC arena.The guy who lost 15 Points from a BOA Inquiry has gots to have "Other" issues costing him his points. TC is a big waste of my money. The score is not a real FICO. Worth=Less.
Don't even wast time with A-hole Experian, they will fight to the death NOT to remove almost anything.