A company checks your credit before offering you a job. This hard inquiry will lower your credit score. True or false?

Employer background checks that include a credit review are always classified as soft inquiries and have zero impact on your credit score. Additionally, employers do not see your actual credit score — they see a modified version of your credit report that does not include your score, date of birth, or account numbers. Employer credit checks require your written consent under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, but regardless of consent, they never lower your score.