Credit Cards FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Credit Cards

Does applying for credit cards hurt my credit?

Every time you apply for a credit, a credit inquiry will appear on your credit report. Multiple credit inquiries are considered a sign of increased risk, and can lower your score slightly. The more information your credit report contains, the less impact credit inquiries will have on your credit score. If you have a short credit history, inquiries could lower your score by a few points. It is best to do as much research as possible to determine which credit card offers are best for your financial situation before actually applying. However, FICO does take comparison shopping into account when calculating your credit score, and for that reason, if you have multiple credit inquiries within a 30 day period, they will only be counted as a single inquiry.

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