A soft inquiry is a type of credit check that does not affect a person's credit score. It occurs when a lender or company reviews an individual's credit report for purposes such as pre-approval offers or background checks. Unlike a hard inquiry, which happens when a person applies for credit, soft inquiries are less intrusive and are often used for informational purposes. Soft inquiries can also happen when individuals check their own credit reports or when companies conduct routine checks on existing customers. These inquiries help lenders assess creditworthiness without impacting the individual's credit rating, making them a useful tool for both consumers and financial institutions.