Data for Soft Pull v. Hard Pull?

[ridgebackpilot]

I understand that a Hard Pull uses your latest FICO scores from whichever bureau is queried. But where does a Soft Pull go to obtain your credit score?

I've heard that when banks do a Soft Pull, they simply rely on the latest score they have on file. That might be up to a month old and not reflective of your current score.

Is this true or does a Soft Inquiry pull up the same scores as a Hard Pull?

[Anonymous]

It can go either way really and depends on the lender.  Many will use the most recent SP they have on file, likely because it's easier and cheaper.  Others will do a new pull.  I would think the majority of the ones that provide a monthly credit score likely use the latest score (pull) they have on file.

[RobertEG]

Credit inquiires and credit scores are different.

One can obtain a credit report without requesting a score.

When a party receives a credit report, the report is the same for either a so-called "hard" or "soft" inquiry (with the sole exception being promotional inquiries, where the creditor receives only a listing of names and addresses, and does not receive any account-specific information).

A soft pull involves only the coding of the inquiry, with coding as soft resulting in the inquiry not be shown on credit reports obtained by anyone other than the named consumer.  Otherwise, the inquiree uses the same process, be it via a commercail vendor or directly with the CRAs.  The score is an optional, added purchase.

If a score is purchased, the fact that the inquiry was coded as soft or hard is not a factor other than the inquiry itself will not by definition be included in the scoring if coded as soft.