Not the way we do it! There are two ways to pull a credit score: a “hard” pull and a “soft” pull. (A credit pull may also be called a credit inquiry.) A hard pull, for when you’re applying for a credit card or a loan, can affect your credit score. But we use a soft pull to get a tri-merge credit report. This means we can review your credit report from the three major consumer credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax® and TransUnion® – without hurting your score.

Just remember: your credit report is only one part of your financial bill of health. Your counselor can help you understand both how to read a credit report and improve your chances of getting a loan with a good interest rate. You’ll also learn how to manage your budget once there’s a new payment.