Once a hard inquiry hits your report, it doesn't disappear overnight. It stays on your credit file for a full 2 years, but here's the part most people don't know: the actual impact on your score usually fades within just a few months. So while it's technically "on the books" for two years, it's not dragging your score down that entire time. That said, if an inquiry is outdated, unauthorized, or something you don't recognize, it may be worth a closer look. Not sure what's sitting on your report right now? That's exactly what we help members review inside Credit Skool.

Every time you apply for new credit, a hard inquiry can knock 5 to 10 points off your score. It might not sound like much, but if you're applying for several things around the same time (a card here, a loan there), those points add up fast. The good news? The impact typically fades within a few months, and inquiries fall off your report completely after 2 years. The key is being strategic: know before you apply, not after. Want to know how many inquiries are currently sitting on your report? That's one of the first things we check inside Credit Skool. Drop a "💯" if this was news to you.

Whatever stage you’re at, there’s a call for you! Choose the one that fits your goals and get the support, answers, and guidance you need. 💯 💰 Want to earn extra income? Join our Affiliate Program call with @Dani Nicolas 💳 Have credit questions? Get them answered during the VIP Masterclass call with @Andre Lewis 👋 New to the community? Get onboarded and introduced to the community during the Onboarding Call with @Rhea Vina Escoreal 📝 Need help with the dispute process? Get clarity, support, and guidance during the Dispute Q&A Call with @Eunice Pickrell Whether you’re just getting started or already working on your credit, come hop on a call and get plugged in! 🔥 📅 Check the Calendar for the schedule and Zoom links: https://www.skool.com/creditskool/calendar See you on the calls! 🚀

A hard inquiry happens when you apply for new credit, think credit cards, auto loans, mortgages. It shows up on your report and can cause a small dip in your score. A soft inquiry is more like a background check, pre-approval offers, checking your own score, or an employer verification. It does NOT affect your credit score at all. Knowing the difference helps you make smarter moves before you apply for anything new. 💳 If you're not sure which inquiries are on your report (or if some don't even belong there), that's exactly what we help members figure out inside Credit Skool. Drop a "📊" below if you want us to break down how to check your own report for inquiries.

Here is exactly how bad it gets 👇 🚨 Your score can drop 100+ points overnight 🚨 It stays on your report for 7 years 🚨 It makes it nearly impossible to get approved for: ❌ Personal loans ❌ Business funding ❌ A mortgage ❌ Even an apartment Lenders see a charge off and immediately view you as a high risk borrower. That one account that went unpaid could be the reason you get denied for the home, car or funding you have been working toward. 😳 The good news? It can be dealt with. And the sooner you act the better.