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Does checking your loan options affect your credit score?
Short answer: submitting a request to a referral service like RapidPayFlow does not, by itself, run a hard credit check on you. Routing your request to lenders is typically a soft inquiry, which does not lower your credit score. A hard inquiry usually happens only later, if a specific lender you choose to move forward with pulls your full credit report to make an offer — and a lender should tell you before that happens.
Soft inquiry vs. hard inquiry
A soft inquiry (or soft pull) is a light check that does not affect your credit score and is not visible to other lenders. A hard inquiry (or hard pull) is a full review that can shave a few points off your score and stays on your report for up to two years. Requesting your options is generally a soft step; a formal loan application with a chosen lender is where a hard pull can occur.
What happens when you use RapidPayFlow
RapidPayFlow is a referral service, not a lender. When you submit a request, we pass it to third-party lenders in our network so they can decide whether to make you an offer. We do not make lending decisions and we do not run hard credit checks. Each lender sets its own review process, rates, and terms.
Protecting your score while you shop
Requesting and reviewing options costs nothing and carries no obligation. If you decide to move forward with a lender, ask whether the next step is a soft or hard inquiry, and read the lender's disclosures before you sign. You are always free to walk away.
Common questions
Will requesting a loan through RapidPayFlow lower my score?
Submitting a request to RapidPayFlow is a referral step, not a lender's hard credit pull, so on its own it should not lower your score. A hard inquiry may happen later if you proceed with a specific lender.
What is a soft credit check?
A soft check is a light review of your credit that does not affect your score and is not visible to other lenders as an application.
When does a hard inquiry happen?
Typically when a lender you have chosen to move forward with pulls your full credit report to finalize an offer. The lender should tell you before this happens.
Is RapidPayFlow a lender?
No. RapidPayFlow is a marketing and referral service that connects your request with third-party lenders. We do not lend money or make credit decisions.
Does it cost anything to check?
No. Requesting and reviewing options through RapidPayFlow is free and there is no obligation to accept any offer.
Keep reading
See your options — request $100 – $35,000
RapidPayFlow is a loan-request and referral service, not a lender. Submitting a request does not guarantee a match or approval; lenders set all rates and terms.