Thread: Soft inquiry question

Hi Everyone,
Does anyone know if it is a violation for a company that is not related to any existing accounts to pull a soft inquiry copy of your credit report to use data from it for their own use? If so are there any laws that they have to tell you what information they have and what they are using it for? I understand that soft inquires can be made by employers as long as they are given written consent and by potential credit card companies that want to offer a line of credit. My question is directed at a company that was not given any known permission or is offering me a credit line. I am trying to understand as well if a soft inquiry gives out account details and if so how detailed? Thanks for your help.

As far as I know, inquiries can only be performed legally with consent.

It deppends, some soft inquiries only provide the company with your name an address for promotional purposes, this is legal, if you don't like it you can op out Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) for more information.
Also the FCRA provide permissible purpose for companies or persons who has a legitimate business need to see your credit, for collector trying to collect on some defaulted account of yours, account reviews from banks and credit cards you do business with... You may want to take a look to the FCRA at
Easy to read Fair Credit Reporting Act §FCRA with 203 Amendment | Every Re fence Has a Link

In the UK, a company cannot do a credit search without your permission. If a company has done one without your consent you can ask them to remove it from your credit file.