Definitions for "Hard Inquiry"
Keywords:  inquiry, score, equifax, report, copy
A record of a business request to see your credit report data for the purpose of an application for credit. Hard inquiries appear on your credit report each time you complete an application for a credit card, loan, cell phone, etc. Hard inquiries can remain on your credit report for up to 2 years and can cause your credit score to drop slightly.
An inquiry about your credit history made by a creditor or lender with whom you have applied for a loan or line of credit. Creditors and lenders see hard credit report inquiries that are up to two years old when they look at your credit report. Hard inquiries are also used in the calculation of your credit score; too many hard credit report inquiries can reflect negatively on your creditworthiness.
An indication on your credit file that a lender has obtained a copy of the report in order to evaluate your loan or credit application. An excess of hard inquiries within a six-month period may lower your credit rating. All the inquiries Equifax makes when you purchase our products and services are soft inquiries.
Keywords:  potential, issue
a potential issue