Will a credit card application hurt my credit score?
Isabella Turner
Updated on February 05, 2026
It’s true that inquiries can have an effect on your credit scores, but in most cases the effect of applying for credit cards is minimal, and any effect they do have is temporary. Experian will not know whether you are approved or declined, so being denied credit will not affect your credit scores.
Do credit cards verify income?
Do Credit Card Companies Verify Your Income? A credit card issuer may request proof of income documents to verify your stated income. But a lender won’t typically call your employer or the IRS to verify your income.
How does being denied a credit card affect your credit score?
Does being denied a credit card hurt your credit score? The act of being rejected for credit doesn’t hurt your score, but a hard pull from the application can temporarily lower it by a few points Being denied a credit card or other type of credit doesn’t affect your score because it’s not reflected in your credit report.
How does applying for a credit card affect your credit score?
The only immediate impact on your credit score of applying for a credit card is that there’s a new inquiry on your credit report. 10% of your credit score is made up of your requests for new credit, so this is the aspect of your credit score that would be impacted by a credit card…
What happens if your credit score is too low to get a credit card?
If your credit score isn’t high enough for the credit card you’re applying for, your application might be denied. If your credit card application is declined due to a low or insufficient credit score, you’re not alone.
Can a credit report affect your credit score?
While credit report inquiries may not have a huge impact on your credit score – they’re only 10% of your score – they can affect whether you get approved. Several credit card applications in a relatively short timeframe could indicate that you’re having financial trouble or taking on too much credit, both considered risky by credit card issuers.