Soft credit checks won’t impact your credit score, but the same can’t be said of hard credit inquiries. Katie covered all things how-to at CNET, with a focus on Social Security and notable events.

Not all credit inquiries are created equal. Image Credit: Getty Images It happens to most of us sooner or later -- we apply for some form of credit, be it a bank loan, credit card, or some other type ...

The terms hard background and soft background check pertain to how a credit inquiry is made with the three major credit reporting agencies: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. A background check is ...