Forum Discussion
Credit check left a hard inquiry
So, before I had established an account with t-mobile, a representative from t-mobile specifically told me that the credit check would be a SOFT PULL and NOT a HARD PULL. So i agreed to have them...
I hear what you're saying and we do appreciate the feedback. If you're not getting the best customer service in our retail stores, there are ways that we can report that and bring it to their attention. Here on the support site, we don't have the ability to change the requirements for credit checks or provide any other documentation other than the link I posted. A change like that would have to come from another department. As I mentioned before, I can pass this suggestion along, I just can't say for sure if this'll change or when. But, I can get your feedback in the right hands so our internal team can review it.
That's not how your credit score works. An inquiry does not "take points off" your score. Your score is made up of many factors, 1 of which is inquiries. You get a single inquiry & it has little effect on anything. But that inquiry stays on your report for 2 years, but have a much more significant effect for the first 13 months. Now inquiries only account for 10% of your score, but that can hurt you as much as 55 points which can be the difference between a 3.8% Auto Loan & a 18% Loan, so it IS significant. It does not hurt too much if, say, you don't plan to open a new account or apply for a new job, or move in the next 2 years, but if you are looking for a mortgage it can really hurt.
The fact that it says it may affect your credit is the same as saying it's a hard inquiry. & the thing is, no matter what, they are ONLY allowed to check your credit report if there is a legitimate business need or you authorize it. If you are getting a subsidized device or doing a payment plan are the ONLY reasons they are ALLOWED to access your credit report. If not you have a case
