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Not mentioned in the affiliate link on creditcardmenu's homepage is the fact that file inquiries by third parties, authorized by you, count as "hard" inquiries, i.e. they are shown to other creditors and look like a request for new credit.

If you pull your report using one of these services, your credit score will be adversely affected (admittedly, not by much) for the two years these inquiries remain on your report.

People who want their credit reports should order directly from the major bureaux. That is the only way to be sure the inquiry won't show up as "hard".

Thanks for the heads up. I will look into this.

According to Credit411 the kind of inquiry that occurs when you order this service is a "consumer inquiry which does not effect your score or show up on your report." Hard inquiries appear only when you apply for credit or request a credit line increase.

This information is false. I obtained a merged file through credit411 last year. It showed up as hard in all three credit files. I complained by phone to credit411, who sent a letter to the three bureaux (they cc'd me on that letter). I got notification letters back from two of the bureaux (I think TUC and Equifax, from memory) saying that the inquiries were "permissible purpose" and would remain as "hard".

The line is still there in all three files.

The ONLY WAY to be certain that an inquiry isn't going to show as "hard" is to obtain your file direct from the bureau.

I am going to send an email back to Credit 411 referencing your situation. I will let you know what they have to say.