What type of inquiry typically does not impact a consumer's credit score?

A soft inquiry typically does not impact a consumer's credit score because it is considered a preliminary check on credit that does not reflect a request from a lender for a loan or other credit. Soft inquiries can occur when a consumer checks their own credit report, when a lender pre-approves an individual for credit without their explicit request, or when certain background checks are conducted. Since soft inquiries are not tied to a specific credit application, they do not affect the consumer’s credit risk profile or scoring.

In contrast, hard inquiries occur when a consumer applies for credit, signaling to lenders that they are seeking new credit. These inquiries can affect a consumer’s credit score, generally causing a slight decrease due to perceived higher risk. Fraud alerts and income verification inquiries are also different actions that can involve credit checks but are not classified in the same way as soft inquiries.