🚀 go-pugleaf

richgr@panix.com (Rich Greenberg) writes:

> In article <1083598157.813242@irys.nyx.net>, Barry Gold <bgold@nyx.net > wrote:
> 
> >If a dealer pulls a "hard" inquiry on you without your signature on a
> >form permitting him to do that, he's violated the FCRA, and you can
> >sue him for damages.  But it would probably be simpler to just send
> >the sales manager a copy of your credit report (showing the hard
> >inquiry from his dealership) and a letter suggesting you'll forget the
> >whole thing if they send you a check for $500 within 15 days.
> >
> >Now a "soft" inquiry, that's OK, but it doesn't get much info, just
> >your name, address, and phone number.  And of course your SSN, but
> >they probably already had that if they pulled the inquiry.
> 
> What are the keys to look for to distinguish a "hard" inquiry from a
> "soft" inquiry?

On your credit report, there is a distinction between inquiries that are
reported and those which are not.  The "hard" inquiries are reported to
everyone who receives a report; the "soft" inquiries are reported only
to you, so they cannot affect the credit score that anyone else gives
you.

However, a soft inquiry by a dealer who already knew who you were is
unlikely.  Normally, soft inquiries are done in order to get your name
and address, by lenders who might want to send you pre-approved credit
offers.  In theory, you might get a soft inquiry from a car dealer to
offer you a pre-approved auto loan.

-- 
David Grabiner, grabiner@alumni.princeton.edu, http://remarque.org/~grabiner
Baseball labor negotiations FAQ: http://remarque.org/~grabiner/laborfaq.html
Shop at the Mobius Strip Mall: Always on the same side of the street!
Klein Glassworks, Torus Coffee and Donuts, Projective Airlines, etc.