Relative newbie here, many thanks to FT. I USED to think I had this FF stuff figured out fairly well but you all have shown me how to do it like a pro.^ Thank You.

We frequently read here that upon applying for a credit card one had a “hard pull from TransUnion” or a “pull from Equifax”. We also read about exact individual credit ratings and the changes following a specific credit card application. I’m very curious how and where this information is found. (I’m lucky that my last name has an unusual spelling which I presume makes identity theft more difficult and also that I have an excellent credit history going back 30 years and I’ve never been denied credit when desired (other than CitiBank for already being an AA cardholder; I really would have liked that 75K bonus 2 or 3 times).

I have occasionally obtained a free credit report after being declined for a credit card (which I’ve usually been able to reverse with a phone call) but I’ll confess I look it over quickly for any glaring errors and then file it deep in the pile. This forum has peaked my interest.

Does finding out about pulls and exact credit ratings require a paid membership? Is the information available without charge? What’s the most reliable source? What’s the difference between a hard pull and other pull’s? Thanks very much.