When you apply for loans, credit cards, business credit, mortgage etc, you authorize lenders to ask or inquire for a copy of your credit report from a credit bureau. When you later check your credit report, you may notice that their credit inquiries are listed. You may also see listed there inquiries by businesses that you don't know.

Does applying for credit affect my FICO score?

Yes. Research shows that opening several credit accounts in a short period of time represents greater credit risk.

How much will credit inquiries affect my score?

Inquiries can have a greater impact if you have few accounts or a short credit history. Large numbers of inquiries also mean greater risk. People with three inquiries or more on their credit reports can be up to eight times more likely to declare bankruptcy than people with no inquiries on their reports.

Why should I remove my inquiries?

Taking each one off will raise your score and make your credit appear, overall, less risky to lenders and creditors.