Difference in information between a hard pull and a soft pull?

[Anonymous]

I know hard pulls show up in our files, and soft pulls do not. But, what about the info provided to the credit card company? Is it different, or is it the same? If it's the same, why do a hard pull at all? The only reason I can think of is that the credit card companies want it in the record?

[Anonymous]

not sure if they're the same or slightly different but i believe the reason CCC's use HPs are to mark "credit seeking behavior" on our report for future creditors' knowledge.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I know hard pulls show up in our files, and soft pulls do not. But, what about the info provided to the credit card company? Is it different, or is it the same? If it's the same, why do a hard pull at all? The only reason I can think of is that the credit card companies want it in the record?

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A good start to answering your question would be in the search function because this question has been asked a lot and you can find quite a bit of useful information if you review those past posts.

[B335is]

A hard pull shows you are the one searching for credit. A soft pull doesnt.

[Anonymous]

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@B335is wrote:
A hard pull shows you are the one searching for credit. A soft pull doesnt.

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If I try a pre approval link, I'm searching for credit but it's a soft pull.

[Imperfectfuture]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@B335is wrote:
A hard pull shows you are the one searching for credit. A soft pull doesnt.

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If I try a pre approval link, I'm searching for credit but it's a soft pull.

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Actually, in most cases not.  I didn't start getting pre quals on chases site until I was in the system.  I've checked other pre qual links, and there is never a soft pull on any of my reports.  This included Amex, but I cold apped, and the apr wasn't too bad.  Unless they ask for your entire social security number, exactly how can they pull, even if it's soft?

conversely, have you checked your reports  for soft pulls from the pre qual sites?

[thelethargicage]

According to a Discover credit analyst, they see the exact same information on a SP that they see on a HP.

[Imperfectfuture]

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@thelethargicage wrote:
According to a Discover credit analyst, they see the exact same information on a SP that they see on a HP.

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This is true.

the hard pull initiates your permissible purpose for all other pulls.  However, it serves to keep those of us on the forum fanatical about scores, in check with our apps (or most of us).

[B335is]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@B335is wrote:
A hard pull shows you are the one searching for credit. A soft pull doesnt.

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If I try a pre approval link, I'm searching for credit but it's a soft pull.

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How many cards have you gotten this way?