Skip to content
  • Join PSECU
  • Refer a Friend
  • Rates
  • Find an ATM
  • Resources
  • Support
PSECU Logo
  • Explore Our Rates

    See today's checking, savings, certificate and individual retirement account (IRA) interest rates

    Have questions? Browse our FAQs
    • Account Types:
      • Checking Accounts
      • Savings Accounts
      • Money Market Accounts
      • Certificates
      • Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
    • Banking Services:
      • For College Students
      • For Teens & Parents
      • For Youth & Parents
      • For Businesses
    • Quick Links:
      • Calculators
        Estimate payments, set savings goals and more
      • Overdraft Services
        Check out PSECU's approach to overdraft services and fees
      • Understanding Money Market Accounts
        Learn how you can increase your savings with greater dividends
  • Explore Our Rates

    See today’s credit card rates

    Have questions? Browse our FAQs
    • Card Types:
      • Classic Card
      • Founder's Rewards Card
      • Penn State Alumni Cards
      • Secured Visa® Card
      • Business Credit Cards
    • Card Services:
      • Balance Transfers
      • Card Comparison Guide
    • Quick Links:
      • Calculators
        Estimate payments, set savings goals and more
      • Dispute a Credit Charge
        Report unauthorized transactions on your card
      • Is a Balance Transfer Right for Me?
        Find out how consolidating can simplify your finances
  • Explore Our Rates

    See today’s auto loan, home equity product, mortgage, and personal loan rates

    Have questions? Browse our FAQs
    • Home & Auto:
      • Mortgages
      • Home Equity
      • Auto Loans
      • Recreational Vehicles
    • Personal & Business:
      • Personal Loans
      • Student Loans
      • Business Loans
    • Quick Links:
      • Calculators
        Estimate payments, set savings goals and more
      • Paying Your Loan
        See your loan payment options
      • Debt Consolidation
        Save money, simplify your budget and reduce stress
  • Become a Member

    Explore PSECU member benefits and learn about eligibility

    Have questions? Browse our FAQs
    • What We Offer:
      • Investing
      • Insurance
      • Auto Warranty
      • Medicare Insurance
      • Estate Planning
    • Quick Links:
      • Set Up a Free IRA in Pennsylvania
        Check out this six-step guide to start reaping tax benefits
      • Missing Out on Insurance Savings?
        Get tips on how to spot savings in your insurance coverage
  • Become a Member

    Explore PSECU member benefits and learn about eligibility

    Have questions? Browse our FAQs
    • Is PSECU Right for You?:
      • What's Digital-First Banking?
      • How We Serve Our Members
      • All Member Services
    • Quick Links:
      • Earn $300*!
        Open a new member account with PSECU and you can earn $300* in bonus cash when you meet promo requirements!
      • New Member Support
        Get the guidance you need to take control of your account
      • PSECU in the Community
        We’re not just about finances - we’re about making an impact.
Login
PSECU Logo
Login
  • Checking & Savings
      • Checking Accounts
      • Savings Accounts
      • Money Market Accounts
      • Certificates
      • Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
      • For College Students
      • For Teens & Parents
      • For Youth & Parents
      • For Businesses
      • Calculators
        Estimate payments, set savings goals and more
      • Overdraft Services
        Check out PSECU's approach to overdraft services and fees
      • Understanding Money Market Accounts
        Learn how you can increase your savings with greater dividends
    Explore Our Rates

    See today's checking, savings, certificate and individual retirement account (IRA) interest rates

    Have questions? Browse our FAQs
  • Credit Cards
      • Classic Card
      • Founder's Rewards Card
      • Penn State Alumni Cards
      • Secured Visa® Card
      • Business Credit Cards
      • Balance Transfers
      • Card Comparison Guide
      • Calculators
        Estimate payments, set savings goals and more
      • Dispute a Credit Charge
        Report unauthorized transactions on your card
      • Is a Balance Transfer Right for Me?
        Find out how consolidating can simplify your finances
    Explore Our Rates

    See today’s credit card rates

    Have questions? Browse our FAQs
  • Loans
      • Mortgages
      • Home Equity
      • Auto Loans
      • Recreational Vehicles
      • Personal Loans
      • Student Loans
      • Business Loans
      • Calculators
        Estimate payments, set savings goals and more
      • Paying Your Loan
        See your loan payment options
      • Debt Consolidation
        Save money, simplify your budget and reduce stress
    Explore Our Rates

    See today’s auto loan, home equity product, mortgage, and personal loan rates

    Have questions? Browse our FAQs
  • Investing & Insurance
      • Investing
      • Insurance
      • Auto Warranty
      • Medicare Insurance
      • Estate Planning
      • Set Up a Free IRA in Pennsylvania
        Check out this six-step guide to start reaping tax benefits
      • Missing Out on Insurance Savings?
        Get tips on how to spot savings in your insurance coverage
    Become a Member

    Explore PSECU member benefits and learn about eligibility

    Have questions? Browse our FAQs
  • About PSECU
      • What's Digital-First Banking?
      • How We Serve Our Members
      • All Member Services
      • Earn $300*!
        Open a new member account with PSECU and you can earn $300* in bonus cash when you meet promo requirements!
      • New Member Support
        Get the guidance you need to take control of your account
      • PSECU in the Community
        We’re not just about finances - we’re about making an impact.
    Become a Member

    Explore PSECU member benefits and learn about eligibility

    Have questions? Browse our FAQs
  • Join PSECU
  • Refer a Friend
  • Rates
  • Find an ATM
  • Resources
  • Support
Routine maintenance is scheduled for 12 AM, Sunday March 16, 2025, and will take several hours to complete. During this timeframe, members will not be able to access digital banking, membership or loan applications, or our call center IVR menu. We apologize for any inconvenience.
We apologize for the inconvenience, but our application for membership is currently unavailable. We are currently working to resolve the issue.
You’re Leaving PSECU's Site

 
 

Select “Proceed” to continue to , or close this window to return to PSECU.com.

Proceed
  1. Back to Home
  2. Resource Center
  3. Credit
  4. What to Know When...
Article
2 Minute Read

What to Know When Pulling Your Credit

Share on email Share on facebook Share on linkedin Share on twitter

Understanding and utilizing your credit appropriately is a key skill in effectively managing your finances. The state of your credit can help or hinder your progress toward any financial goals you set. So, what should you know when pulling your credit? Read on to find out what to keep top of mind.

Hard Inquiry vs. Soft Inquiry

Before you pull your credit, you’ll need to understand the difference between a hard and soft inquiry.  When you apply for a loan, credit card, or other form of credit, a potential lender does a hard inquiry to check your credit. This counts as an inquiry that will impact your credit score. There are also “soft inquiries” that include instances such as monitoring your own credit. These do not impact your credit score and are only visible to you on your credit report.

Frequency

Everyone is entitled to one free copy of their credit report once per year by each of the three credit reporting agencies. You may choose to pull all three credit reports at once so you can compare the information in each report. You can also choose to pull them at different times throughout the year. This will allow you to see any changes in your credit report throughout the year and continue to make sure the information contained in your report is accurate.

Note that, currently, this has been increased to once a week due to the ongoing financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What to Look For

Once you pull your credit report, you’ll be presented with a lot of information. When reviewing your report, you should first make sure all the information is accurate, including your personal information, trade lines, and public records. If you notice any missed payments but you know you’ve paid the bill on time, contact the company to have these items corrected. If you notice any credit items that don’t belong to you, they may be fraudulent accounts. To have this corrected, you’ll need to contact the credit bureau directly and file a claim. Fraudulent accounts can have a negative impact on your report and may be a sign of identity theft, so you’ll want to take quick action to have them removed.

Keep Your Information Safe

Unfortunately, identity thieves are everywhere so you’ll need to take steps to keep your information safe. When accessing your credit report, be sure to use www.AnnualCreditReport.com as this is the only website authorized by the federal government to provide you your credit report for free. Other websites may be able to obtain your credit report, but you’ll need to provide significant personal information, and some may ask for a credit card. Be cautious when using third-party websites to be sure your data isn’t compromised.

Your Credit Score Isn’t Included

While your credit report contains a record of your financial history, it won’t include your credit score. Your score is a three-digit number that is calculated from the information in your credit report and is often used by lenders to determine if they will loan you money or approve a line of credit. If you’re a PSECU member, you can access your score by using PSECU’s free credit score service*.

What Impacts Your Credit Health?

Your credit score is generally calculated based on five components: payment history, amount owed, length of credit history, credit mix, and new credit. Most negative items on your credit report may stay there for up to seven years (some bankruptcies can stay for up to 10), which can limit the amount of new credit you can obtain, like mortgages, auto loans, or credit cards. By being diligent and pulling your credit report regularly, you can make sure all information is accurate and that no negative items pop up unexpectedly.

The most important thing to remember is that what you do today will impact your credit health both now and in the future. Based on your financial choices, it will become easier or harder for you to reach your future goals, which is why it’s so important to monitor your credit and make sure your credit history is accurate. For more money management tips and tools, visit our WalletWorks page.

*PSECU is not a credit reporting agency. Members must have PSECU checking or a PSECU loan to be eligible for this service. Joint owners are not eligible.

The content provided in this publication is for informational purposes only. Nothing stated is to be construed as financial or legal advice. Some products not offered by PSECU. PSECU does not endorse any third parties, including, but not limited to, referenced individuals, companies, organizations, products, blogs, or websites. PSECU does not warrant any advice provided by third parties. PSECU does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by third parties. PSECU recommends that you seek the advice of a qualified financial, tax, legal, or other professional if you have questions.

By: PSECU
Need to talk to us directly?
800.237.7328
Routing #: 231381116
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
Awards Designations
  • Get to Know Us:
    • What's Digital-First Banking?
    • How We Serve Our Members
    • Financials
    • PSECU for Employers
    • Careers We're Hiring!
    • Resource Center
    • PSECU in the Community
  • Quick Links:
    • Rates
    • Calculators
    • Downloadable Forms
    • Become a Member
    • Refer a Friend
  • Contact & Support:
    • Support
    • Browse FAQs
    • Resume an Application
    • Find an ATM
    • Contact Us
  • Download the App:
    • App Store
    • Play Store
  • Sitemap
  • Disclosures & Agreements
  • Terms of Use
  • Fraud Prevention
  • Privacy
  • © 2025 PSECU. All Rights Reserved.
  • NCUA Insured by NCUA
  • Equal Housing Lender Equal Housing Lender