Have you ever wondered who's been checking your credit report without impacting your credit score? Those are likely soft inquiries, and Experian, one of the major credit bureaus, keeps track of them. While they don't affect your credit score, understanding who's looking at your credit can be insightful. Let's dive into how you can see your Experian soft pulls!
Step 1: Accessing Your Experian Account
To begin, you'll need to have an Experian account. If you already have one, great! If not, don't worry, it's a straightforward process.
Creating an Experian Account (If You Don't Have One)
- Go to the official Experian website (
https://www.experian.com/ - Look for a button or link that says something like "Create Free Account," "Sign Up," or "Get Your Free Credit Report." Click on it.
- You'll be asked to provide some personal information to verify your identity. This typically includes your:
- Full Name
- Date of Birth
- Social Security Number
1 (SSN) - This is usually required for identity verification. - Current Address
- Email Address
- Phone Number
- Follow the on-screen instructions to create a username and password. Make sure to choose a strong, unique password.
- You might need to answer some security questions to further verify your identity.
- Once you've completed the registration process, you should be able to log in to your Experian account.
Logging Into Your Existing Experian Account
- Navigate to the Experian website (
https://www.experian.com/ - Find the "Log In" or "Sign In" button, usually located at the top right of the page.
- Enter your registered username or email address and your password.
- Click the "Log In" button. You might be prompted for a two-factor authentication code if you've enabled it for added security.
Step 2: Navigating to Your Credit Report or Activity Section
Once you're logged into your Experian account, the next step is to find the section where your credit report details are located. The exact layout of the website might change over time, but here are some general areas to look for:
Locating Your Credit Report
- Look for tabs or menu options such as "Credit Report," "My Credit Report," "Summary," or "Dashboard."
- Click on the option that seems most likely to lead to your full credit report.
- You might see a summary page first. Look for a link or button that says something like "View Full Credit Report," "See Details," or "Access Full Report."
Finding the Inquiry Section
- Within your credit report, look for a specific section dedicated to "Inquiries." This section is usually separate from your account information and payment history.
- The inquiries might be further categorized into "Hard Inquiries" and "Soft Inquiries" or "Permissible Purpose Inquiries."
- Click on or expand the "Soft Inquiries" or "Permissible Purpose Inquiries" section.
Step 3: Reviewing Your Experian Soft Pulls
Once you've found the soft inquiries section, you'll be able to see a list of who has accessed your credit report for permissible purposes.
Understanding the Information Displayed
For each soft inquiry listed, you'll typically see the following information:
- Name of the Entity: This is the name of the company or organization that made the soft inquiry.
- Date of Inquiry: This is the date on which the soft pull occurred.
- Type of Inquiry (Sometimes): In some cases, the report might briefly explain the reason for the soft inquiry (e.g., pre-approved credit offer, account review).
What Kind of Soft Pulls Might You See?
You might see soft inquiries from:
- Credit card companies sending you pre-approved offers.
- Lenders checking your credit for pre-qualification purposes.
- Your existing creditors reviewing your account.
- Insurance companies getting a credit-based insurance score (in some states).
- Employers (with your explicit consent) for background checks.
- Yourself when you check your own credit report.
Important Note About Soft Pulls
Remember that soft inquiries do not affect your credit score. They are simply a record of who has viewed your credit file for legitimate reasons that don't involve a credit application.
Step 4: Understanding the Retention Period
Soft inquiries, unlike hard inquiries, typically stay on your credit report for a shorter period. While the exact duration can vary, they are generally visible for around two years. However, since they don't impact your score, you usually don't need to worry about them.
Step 5: Regular Monitoring (Optional but Recommended)
While soft pulls aren't detrimental, regularly monitoring your Experian credit report (and those from TransUnion and Equifax) can help you stay informed about who is accessing your information. This can also help you identify any unauthorized hard inquiries, which can negatively impact your credit score. Experian often offers tools and alerts to help you with this ongoing monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions (How To)
How to Create an Experian Account for Free?
Visit the Experian website and look for the "Create Free Account" or similar button. Follow the prompts, providing your personal information for verification.
How to Log In to My Existing Experian Account?
Go to the Experian website and click on the "Log In" button. Enter your registered username/email and password.
How to Find the Credit Report Section on Experian's Website?
Once logged in, look for tabs or menu options labeled "Credit Report," "My Credit Report," "Summary," or "Dashboard."
How to Locate the Inquiry Section Within My Experian Credit Report?
Within your credit report, find a section specifically titled "Inquiries," often separated into "Hard Inquiries" and "Soft Inquiries."
How to Identify Soft Pulls on My Experian Report?
In the "Inquiries" section, look for the sub-section labeled "Soft Inquiries" or "Permissible Purpose Inquiries."
How to Understand the Information Listed for Each Soft Pull?
Each entry will typically show the name of the entity that made the inquiry and the date it occurred. Sometimes, the purpose of the inquiry is also mentioned.
How to Differentiate Between Soft Pulls and Hard Pulls?
Hard pulls usually occur when you apply for new credit (e.g., credit cards, loans) and can slightly lower your credit score. Soft pulls happen for background checks, pre-approved offers, and account reviews and do not affect your score.
How to Know How Long Soft Pulls Stay on My Experian Report?
Soft inquiries generally remain on your Experian credit report for up to two years, though they have no impact on your credit score.
How to Monitor My Experian Credit Report Regularly?
Experian often provides tools and alerts within your account to help you track changes and activity on your credit report. Check your account settings for these features.
How to Contact Experian if I Have Questions About My Soft Pulls?
You can usually find contact information, such as a customer service phone number or email address, on the Experian website in the "Contact Us" or "Help" sections.