Soft checks provide information on your credit history for potential lenders. But unlike hard credit checks, soft checks (also known as soft pulls or soft credit inquiries):

• Don't require your permission
• Don't appear on your credit report
• Don’t affect your credit score
• Won’t be shared with companies requesting your credit report
• Only you can see them

Hard checks are sometimes also referred to as hard pulls or hard inquiries. They appear on your credit report and remain there for up to two years, serving as a signal to other lenders that you've requested credit in the past.

When you apply for a credit card, loan, or mortgage, lenders and credit card companies generally make a hard check into your credit report. A hard check gives them a detailed picture of your credit history and helps them determine what products, if any, you're eligible for.