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Both hard and soft credit inquiries can stay on your credit report for up to two years. However, their impact on your credit score can vary substantially based on your circumstances and the type of inquiry or inquiries you’re dealing with. For instance, soft credit inquiries usually don’t ding your score at all and are visible only to you on your credit report.

Read on to learn more about how long credit inquiries stay on your report and the effects they can have while there.

What Is a Credit Inquiry?

A credit inquiry is a request to look at your history of using credit. This occurs any time a prospective lender wants to take a peek to assess your creditworthiness and potentially extend you a loan or line of credit. Your credit file can show how well you’ve used credit in the past and whether, for example, you typically pay bills on time and have used different forms of credit (such as credit cards and installment loans) responsibly.

Credit inquiries come in two flavors: hard inquiries and soft inquiries.

What Is a Hard Inquiry?

A hard credit inquiry occurs when you officially submit an application for a credit card or loan. The vast majority of lenders will run a hard credit check in order to approve your application for these financial products.

Hard inquiries occur when you apply for a new loan or line of credit (say, a mortgage or a credit card). These hard pulls, as they are sometimes called, can have a negative impact on your credit score, particularly if you apply for many new loans or lines of credit at the same time. Lenders may see this behavior as a risk factor, since you might take out more credit than you can afford to pay back.

A hard inquiry can lower your credit score by about 5 to 10 points each. While these inquiries can stay on your report for up to two years, they may not have an impact after one year.

What Is a Soft Inquiry?

A soft credit inquiry may be pulled by a potential lender to prequalify you for a loan or determine your eligibility for a line of credit but without officially approving your application. Soft credit inquiries can also be part of employment background checks or be requested when you start services with a utility company. You might even pull your credit file yourself to review it for accuracy. That too is a soft inquiry.

The good news is that while they can stay on your report for up to two years, soft inquiries have no impact on your credit score. What’s more, they are visible only to you.

Exceptions to the Impact on Your Credit Score

As mentioned above, only hard inquiries can have an impact on your credit score. Additionally, it’s worth noting that even with hard inquiries, if you’re shopping around for a specific type of loan, you can take advantage of a rate shopping window. Here’s an example:

Say you’re getting ready to buy a house or a car. You may be focused on building your credit score and using a money tracker app to manage your spending and saving goals. When it’s time to shop around for the loan with the most favorable terms, a finalized rate may be available only with a fully completed application (including a hard credit inquiry). So you want to file multiple applications to see where you are approved with the best deal for your situation.

Fortunately, the credit bureaus treat multiple hard inquiries for loans of the same category as only a single inquiry. They do, however, need to be made within a certain time frame — usually between two weeks and 30 days, depending on the type of loan.

In this way, loan shopping may not have too serious an impact on your credit score.

How Long Do Credit Inquiries Stay on Your Credit Report?

Hard credit inquiries can stay on your credit report for up to two years. That’s true for soft credit inquiries, too. As mentioned above, hard pulls may impact your credit score only for a year, and soft pulls are visible only to you.

This maximum time frame of two years is substantially shorter than other markers, such as bankruptcy, which can remain on your credit report for seven or 10 years.

What Is the Difference Between a Hard and Soft Inquiry?

A hard inquiry is used to officially approve an application for a loan or line of credit, and it can have a temporary negative impact on your credit score. A soft inquiry is used in most other instances when your credit score is pulled. It does not have an impact on your credit score, nor is it visible to anyone but you.

How Much Does a Hard Inquiry Lower Your Credit Score?

Usually, a hard inquiry will lower your credit score only by five to 10 points (though the dip may be more meaningful if you’re working to build your credit). While the hard pull will stay on your record for up to two years, it often has a negative impact for only one year.

Note that your credit score updates generally occur every 30 to 45 days.

How Much Does a Soft Inquiry Lower Your Credit Score?

Trick question! Since a soft credit inquiry has no impact on your credit score whatsoever, it won’t lower it at all. In fact, as noted, soft pulls are not even visible to prospective lenders and will show up on your end only when you review your credit file.

How Do Hard Inquiries Affect Shopping for Loans?

Hard inquiries inform lenders that you’re actively shopping for credit. As mentioned above, if all that credit shopping is in the same category in a short amount of time, the effect is likely to be limited. However, if you’re perpetually shopping around for new credit (a personal loan here, a credit card there), lenders may raise an eyebrow. Too many applications for credit can ding your score.

Also keep in mind that the rate-shopping window doesn’t apply to credit cards. Every credit card you open will come with a hard credit check. The impact of this credit check is not mitigated because you submitted other credit card applications. In other words, multiple credit card applications in a short period of time may have a more lasting detrimental impact on your score than if you were shopping for a single mortgage.

How to Reduce the Impact of Credit Inquiries on Your Credit

Perhaps the simplest way to reduce the impact of credit inquiries on your score is to limit the number of inquiries requested. This means you would sparingly apply for loans and lines of credit only when you truly need to. Along with helping you avoid the negative impact of hard inquiries, keeping your credit use to a minimum can help ensure you avoid a debt spiral and stay in the best possible financial position to repay the loans you do have.

Can Inquiries on My Credit Report Be Disputed?

Credit score monitoring is important and can be done for free through several channels, including credit card companies, banks, and credit counselors.

It’s also wise to regularly review your entire file every few months to look for inaccuracies. If you notice a credit inquiry on your report that you don’t recognize, you can dispute it with the reporting credit bureau — and you should. You should also reach out to the financial institution that made the inquiry and inform them that it was not a legitimate request.

In addition, you can dispute any erroneous items on your report, such as an indication that a debt you paid off is still pending.

Recommended: Why Did My Credit Score Drop After a Dispute?

Can You Remove Credit Inquiries From a Credit Report?

The only way hard credit inquiries can be removed from your credit report is if they were made fraudulently. In this case, you should go through the process of filing a dispute with the reporting bureau, as outlined above. These days, most credit file disputes can be made online, but you can also file a dispute by mail.

Avoid Unnecessary Applications Prior to Applying for a Home or Auto Loan

Since hard credit inquiries can have a negative impact on your score, it’s a good idea to avoid applying for unnecessary lines of credit shortly before applying for a more substantial one, like a mortgage or auto loan.

Credit card applications in particular can be a slippery slope since they may be extremely easy to apply for and may offer rewards for doing so. If you’re planning for bigger financial moves in the near future, steer clear if you can.

Recommended: How to Lower Credit Card Utilization

The Takeaway

All types of credit inquiries stay on your report for up to two years, though only hard inquiries can have an impact on your score and are visible to others. Typically, a hard inquiry can lower your score up to 10 points; soft inquiries, on the other hand, have no impact. While credit card applications always lead to a hard inquiry, multiple applications for an auto or home loan in a short amount of time may appear as a single inquiry on your credit report.

As you consider your credit report, it may make sense to track your finances more closely. Tools like a spending app can help you set budgets, manage bill paying, and more.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

Can you remove credit inquiries from your credit report?

Unless you notice fraudulent credit inquiries on your report, hard inquiries will usually stay on your record for up to two years, which is a relatively short time frame in the world of credit reporting. If you do see a hard inquiry you don’t recognize, dispute the inquiry with the credit bureau and the financial institution involved immediately. Worth knowing: Soft credit inquiries stay on your report for a similar period of time, but they are visible only to you.

How many hard inquiries are too many?

There’s no hard and fast answer to this question. Generally speaking, the fewer hard inquiries your credit report sees, the better. There is an exception when you’re shopping around for a home or auto loan. As long as all the hard inquiries are for the same type of financial product and are made within a relatively short time frame (usually 14 to 30 days), they’ll appear as a single hard inquiry and have only a single hard inquiry’s impact on your credit score.

How much will a credit score decrease for each inquiry?

While the specifics can depend on the rest of your credit file, generally speaking a hard inquiry will lower your score only about five to 10 points. However, if you apply for multiple credit cards or many different types of loans in a short period of time, the inquiries may have a more substantial impact, especially if your credit file is slim or imperfect.

Does your credit score go up when hard inquiries fall off?

Hard credit inquiries usually have only a slight impact on your overall credit score. While it’s possible you may see a small increase to your score when they fall off, other positive markers, like on-time payments and lowering total credit balance, are more likely to help build your score.

Photo Credit: iStock/Kateryna Onyshchuk
SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SORL-Q324-021

Seeing your credit score go down after paying off debt may seem illogical, but there are likely valid reasons for the drop, including a potential change in your credit mix or in the age of your accounts. Although a lower score may feel like a setback, rest assured the dip is usually temporary.

Let’s take a closer look at some reasons why your credit score dropped after paying off debt and what you can do to help turn things around.

Why Would My Credit Score Drop After Paying Off Debt?

Credit scores are calculated based on a variety of factors. For instance, if you’ve finally paid off a car loan and all of your other debts are from credit cards, your score might drop because you no longer have a diverse credit mix. Creditors and lenders like to see someone who’s been able to manage an array of accounts over time.

But a varied credit mix is only one of the components that make up your credit score. Read on to learn what affects your credit score and how much each factor is impacted when you pay off debt:

Credit Score Factors

According to FICO™, the credit scoring company used by 90% of the top lenders, your credit score is based on data from five different categories: payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, credit mix, and new credit applications.

Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Payment History

Showing lenders you can consistently make on-time payments is the top factor in determining your credit score. In fact, under the FICO model, your payment history accounts for the biggest percentage of your credit score (35%).

A late or missing payment can lower your credit score anywhere from 17 to 83 points, depending on where you fall in the credit score range. Generally speaking, the higher your credit score, the greater the impact of a late payment.

Even if you’ve paid off a debt, a delinquent payment can remain on your credit report for up to seven years and negatively affect your credit score.

Credit Utilization

Credit utilization accounts for 30% of your credit score. Your credit utilization is the amount of money you owe versus the amount of credit available to you, and this configuration is called your utilization rate or credit utilization ratio.

Most lenders prefer you to keep your credit utilization ratio below 30%.

Paying off a debt typically improves your credit score, but there are instances when it could have the opposite effect. For example, if you pay off a credit card and then close the account, you may see your score fall. That’s because you now have a lower amount of available credit, which could raise your credit utilization ratio.

Length of Your Credit History

The average age of your credit accounts make up 15% of your credit score. Keeping accounts open — and establishing a track record of timely payments — can help improve your credit score. So if you’re paying off a credit card or other type of revolving debt, consider leaving the account open afterward.

Installment loans, like a personal loan, work a bit differently. When you pay off an installment loan, the account is considered closed. And if you’ve had that account for a long time, your average account age — and your credit score — could drop.

Credit Mix

As previously noted, having a variety of different types of credit, or a credit mix, counts toward your credit score. In fact, it makes up 10% of your FICO score.

Having a combination of revolving credit and installment credit can help boost your credit. But paying off a home, car, or personal loan could change your credit mix, which might cause your score to dip.

New Credit Card Applications

Applying for new credit determines 10% of your credit score. So if, for instance, you decide to open a few new credit cards to help pay off another debt, your score could take a hit. That’s because each time you apply, a hard credit check, or inquiry, is made.

When a lender does a hard credit check, they will pull your credit report from one of the three main credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. A hard inquiry can decrease your score by as much as 10 points, so if you’re trying to sign up for multiple credit cards at once, this can have a cascading effect on your score.

How to Pay Off Debt and Help Your Credit Score

There’s no hard and fast rule on how to pay off your debt and build up credit. But it’s always a good idea to make timely, regular payments on balances. Try not to use all your available credit (keep it under 30%). And if you’re overextended, consider reevaluating your purchasing habits with a spending app or other tool.

How Do I Keep My Credit Score From Dropping?

There are other strategies you can take to help prevent your credit score from falling. Here are five to consider:

•   Limit applications for new credit, especially if you’re applying for several at one time.

•   Try to avoid closing out a credit card account, even if you’ve paid off the balance.

•   Review your credit report at least once a year, and dispute any errors. You can get your report for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Recommended: Why Did My Credit Score Drop After a Dispute?

How Long Does It Take for Your Credit Score to Improve After Paying Off Debt?

After you make a payment, most large credit issuers and lenders update your account information with the credit bureaus within 30 to 45 days. Smaller credit entities may only report a paid off debt once a quarter, so in that case, it could take several months for your credit score to update.

Ways to Increase Your Credit Score After Paying Off a Loan

In addition to making timely payments, there are several ways to build credit and boost your score.

One tactic is to take the money you were using for the now paid off loan and apply it to one or more of your credit card payments. For example, if you were only making minimum payments, try paying double the minimum each month. If this isn’t possible, even kicking in an extra $10, $20, or $30 can make a difference. Paying double the minimum doesn’t just bring down your balance. It can also lower your credit utilization ratio by increasing the available credit on that card.

Another trick: Contact your card issuer and ask for an increased credit limit so your credit utilization on that card is lower. Or consider becoming an authorized user on a loved one’s credit card account.

Recommended: How Long Does It Take to Build Credit?

How to Get Credit Score Monitoring

There are various ways to check your credit score for free.

•   Contact your credit card issuer. Most provide cardholders with complimentary access to their credit score.

•  Inquire with your bank. Many financial institutions offer customers either their FICO score or VantageScore for free.

•  Sign up with Experian. You can monitor your credit score for free through Experian, one of the three major credit bureaus.

•  Download a free money tracking app, which provides you with your score and can alert you to any changes.

The Takeaway

Zeroing out the balance on a loan or credit card can be a big stress reliever, though it may not always provide the credit score boost you were hoping for. Changes in credit mix or account age are among the reasons for a drop.

The good news is, there are ways to help protect your credit score: Pay your bills on time, keep credit card accounts open even after you’ve paid off the balance, and explore credit score monitoring services that alert you to any changes in your score.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

How long does it take to rebuild credit after paying off debt?

The amount of time it takes to rebuild credit is different for everyone. For some people, it may only take three to six months, while for others it could take years, especially if credit card bills have high balances or are maxed out. Certain factors such as missed payments, which can remain on your credit report for up to seven years, or a declared bankruptcy (which can linger for up to 10 years) can keep your credit score from increasing.

Why does my credit score go down after paying off debt?

Eliminating one debt means you’ve changed your overall credit “portfolio,” which can impact some factors that go into determining your credit score. For instance, if you’ve paid off a car loan and all of your other debts are credit cards, you’ve affected the diversity of your credit mix. As a result, you may see a slight drop in your credit score.

How much will my credit score increase after paying off debt?

There’s no exact number of points your credit score will increase from paying off a debt. However, it’s possible credit scores can increase anywhere between 10 to 50 points after eliminating a credit card debt.

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SORL-Q324-006

Medical debt can be a heavy burden for individuals and families. And knowing unpaid medical bills could impact your credit can make the worry even worse.
In an effort designed to relieve some of the stress on U.S. consumers, the way medical debt is treated by credit bureaus has changed in recent years. The timeline for unpaid health-care bills appearing on your credit reports is longer than it used to be. And some of those debts may not end up affecting your credit at all.

But make no mistake: There still can be consequences if a medical bill goes unpaid for too long.

Read on for a look at when unpaid medical debt can go on your credit reports and some steps you can take to protect and improve your financial health.

Do Medical Bills Affect Your Credit?

Your medical bills shouldn’t have any effect on your credit, as long as they don’t go unpaid for too long. Most health-care providers don’t report payment activity to the credit bureaus. So unless your account goes unpaid for so long that your provider gives up and sells the debt to a debt collector, it’s unlikely your delinquent account will appear on your credit reports.

Even if the account goes to collections, it can take a year or longer to impact your credit. That’s because the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) now give consumers a full 365 days to clear up a medical debt that’s gone to collections before it goes on their credit reports. This year-long grace period allows more time for medical bills to make their way through the insurance approval and payment process, and it gives consumers more time to report billing issues to their provider or the debt collector, negotiate a smaller payment, or set up a payment plan.

More good news: If the initial balance that’s gone to collections is less than $500, the debt won’t ever become part of your credit report, so it won’t affect your credit score.

How Does Medical Debt Impact Your Credit Scores?

Medical bills that you’ve paid shouldn’t appear on your credit reports at all or affect your credit scores — even if you paid the bill after it went to collections. Existing paid medical collections were erased from credit reports in 2022, and the credit bureaus no longer include this information on their reports.

If your bill in collections goes unpaid past the 365-day grace period, however, it could turn up on your credit reports, and possibly have a negative effect on your credit scores. The amount of damage can vary, depending on what scoring model you — or a potential lender — is looking at. But it’s important to note that failing to pay a bill can affect the most significant factor in determining your credit scores — your payment history. So if a medical bill with a starting balance of $500 or more lands on your credit report, you could see a serious dip in your credit scores.

How Long Do Medical Bill Collections Stay on Your Credit Report?

A typical collections account can stay on your credit reports for about seven years, whether or not you eventually pay the debt. But medical accounts are treated differently than other types of debt.

When the credit bureaus are notified that you’ve paid off a medical debt in collections, they’ll remove the account from your credit reports, and you can expect your credit scores to improve.

If you don’t pay the medical debt, however, the collections account could remain on your credit reports for a full seven years after it becomes delinquent.

Can Medical Bills Be Removed from My Credit Report?

If you believe a medical bill in collections is showing up on your credit report by mistake, you can dispute the error with the credit bureau and the debt collector who reported it. After all, it takes time to build credit, and you want to make sure your record represents you accurately.

If your debt has been in collections for less than a year, if the starting balance was less than $500, if the debt has been paid by you or your insurance company, or if you can show that the information is incorrect in some other way, you can take the necessary steps to have it removed from your credit reports.

How to Dispute a Medical Bill on Your Credit Report

To dispute a medical bill on your credit report, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recommends starting with the credit bureau that included the account. Explain in writing what you think is wrong and why — and be sure to include documentation that supports your claim. The credit bureaus can then begin an investigation. (The CFPB provides sample letters and addresses for the credit bureaus.)

You should also reach out in writing to the debt collector that furnished the information and ask that it be corrected.

Finally, if your dispute continues to go unresolved, you can submit a complaint to the CFPB.

Recommended: Why Did My Credit Score Drop After a Dispute?

How Can You Check for Medical Debt on Your Credit Reports?

There are a couple of ways you can check your credit report to see if a medical debt is showing up there.

•   If you’re paying for credit monitoring, or if your financial institution or credit card company provides a free credit score and summary each month, the information you’re looking for may be available as part of this service. You may even receive an alert if your credit score updates and there’s a significant drop.

•   You’re also entitled by federal law to receive free copies of your credit reports from the major credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Don’t panic if a debt collector tells you that your unpaid account will soon affect your credit scores. Remember that you have a year-long grace period to pay the debt or clear up any errors before the account will show up on your credit reports.

Does Paying Off Medical Collections Improve Your Credit?

The best way to keep medical debt from dragging down your credit scores is to make sure your bills are paid on time (by you or your health insurance company). Even if your account goes to collections, paying is still an option — and it can help push your credit scores back up.
Though the negative impact of having a collections account on your credit report diminishes with time, if the bill goes unpaid, it could sit on your record — where lenders can see it — for seven years.

Recommended: How to Build Credit

What If You Can’t Pay Your Medical Bills?

Even though it may be tempting, the worst thing you can do if you have medical debt is ignore it. Here are some options to consider if you’re wondering how to pay medical bills you can’t afford.

Ask About a Repayment Plan

Many hospitals and health-care providers will let you set up a payment schedule that allows you to pay over time. Best-case scenario, the option provided is fee- and interest-free. If you’re asked to sign up for a financing plan that will cost extra, make sure the terms work for you and that it’s still manageable within your budget.

Try Negotiating with Your Provider to Lower Your Bill

Sometimes, a health-care provider may be willing to accept a lower amount to avoid writing off the bill and selling the account to a debt buyer. (Even if the account has gone to collections, you may be able to settle for a lower payment. At that point, though, you’ll likely be negotiating with the debt collector, not the original creditor.)

See If You Qualify for Financial Assistance

Grants and other types of financial assistance are sometimes available for patients who are eligible based on their income, age, or other factors. A Google search may turn up some options, or your health-care provider or a support group may be able to pass along information.

Consider an Unsecured Personal Loan

If you can get manageable monthly payments and other terms that fit your needs, you may want to consider taking out a low-interest personal loan. Try to stay away from a loan that’s secured by your home or other assets, which could end up putting your financial well-being at greater risk if you default.

How Can You Keep Your Credit Scores Healthy Despite Challenging Medical Bills?

Small fluctuations in your credit scores are normal, but if you’re worried that an unpaid medical bill could cause a drastic drop, it’s important to keep your financial guard up. Here are some steps you can take to protect your scores:

Keep Paying Your Bills on Time

Your payment history is a big factor in determining your credit score, so do your best to stay on top of all your bills. If making timely payments is a struggle for you, you may find a spending app can help with budgeting, keeping track of billing due dates, and prioritizing payments.

Watch Your Credit Utilization

Lowering your credit card utilization ratio — the percentage of available credit that you’re using on your credit cards and other lines of credit — can help you get and keep your credit scores where you want them. If you’re relying heavily on credit to get by, and you’re close to maxing out your credit cards, you may need to reevaluate your spending and change up your budget. A money tracker app could help you stick to healthy financial habits.

Monitoring Your Credit Scores

Even if you’re on your best behavior, if an unpaid medical bill ends up on your credit report, it may take months before you see some improvement to your damaged credit scores. Credit score monitoring can help you better understand how certain actions can affect your creditworthiness.

The Takeaway

Watching your medical expenses pile up can be stressful — especially if you’re worried that your unpaid medical bills can go on your credit reports and lower your credit scores. Fortunately, the credit bureaus and credit score models have begun treating medical debt with a little more patience and consideration than other types of debt.
But an unpaid medical account still can be a problem if you let it go for too long. So it’s important to stay on top of your medical bills, along with all your other financial obligations.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

Can unpaid medical bills affect your credit?

A medical bill will likely only affect your credit if it’s been unpaid for so long that it ends up going to collections. Even then, consumers have a full year to clear up a medical collections account before it goes on their credit reports. But if the bill goes unpaid after that grace period is up, it could affect your credit scores.

How do I remove a medical collection from my credit report?

To have a medical collection removed from your credit report, you can either pay the amount you owe or — if you think it’s in error — you can try disputing the bill with the credit bureau and the debt collector that reported it.

Is it a HIPAA violation to send medical bills to collections?

Not necessarily. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has strict standards for how health-care providers and their business associates, including third-party debt collectors, handle sensitive personal health information. Debt collectors can receive and disclose information but only to the extent that it is absolutely necessary to perform their job.

Photo credit: iStock/Pekic
SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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A small, steady amount of inflation is a sign of a healthy economy. But when prices rise too much too quickly, it lessens purchasing power, straining consumers and businesses.

Fortunately, the Federal Reserve (aka, “the Fed”) has a tool in its back pocket that can help tamp down inflation — the federal funds rate. By raising this benchmark rate, the government influences other interest rates, including rates for consumer and business loans. This makes borrowing more expensive and can help cool the economy, bringing inflation under control.

That said, raising interest rates doesn’t lower the pace of price increases overnight. There are also some risks involved in raising the federal funds rate too aggressively. Here’s a closer look at how interest rates and inflation interact.

The Relationship Between Interest Rates and Inflation

Inflation is generally defined as a sustained increase in the price of goods and services consumers regularly buy. While the inflation rate can be measured in a number of different ways, the Fed typically uses the Personal Consumption Expenditures Index (PCE) as its main measure of inflation. The PCE tracks changes in consumer spending on a wide range of goods and services.

The Fed has a stated goal of keeping inflation around 2% each year, as measured by the annual increase of the PCE index. To control inflation, the Fed will often take steps to influence interest rates. When interest rates are high, it costs more for consumers to use credit cards and take out mortgages and car loans. As a result, they typically start spending less. When demand for goods and services falls, it puts pressure on businesses to lower prices. Higher interest rates also help reduce spending by encouraging saving, as consumers benefit from higher yields on savings accounts.

Mechanisms of Interest Rate Increases

In the U.S., decisions on monetary policy are made by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which is made up of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve as well as five of the presidents of the 12 Federal Reserve banks. Congress has mandated the Fed to set monetary policy so as to promote maximum employment and stable inflation (generally around 2% annually).

The members of the FOMC meet regularly to discuss monetary policy, viewing various economic indicators such as the employment rate, inflation rate, and current interest rates. Based on these market factors, they set the country’s target interest rate, known as the federal funds interest rate (also known as the federal funds target rate).

The federal funds rate acts as a reference for the interest rates big commercial banks charge each other for the overnight loans. A change in the rate that banks charge each other for loans impacts other market rates (like the prime rate) and, consequently, interest rates offered by banks and other financial institutions to consumers and businesses.

Effects of Higher Interest Rates on the Economy

When the Fed raises interest rates, it can have a number of effects on the economy, including:

•   Reduced household spending. When interest rates on credit cards go up, consumers generally spend less on their cards. In order to afford credit card payments that now may be higher, they might also cut overall spending on goods and services.

•   Slowdown in home sales. Higher rates on mortgages make it more expensive to buy a home. As a result, many consumers may decide to continue renting and hold off on purchasing a home.

•   Sluggish business growth. When the cost of financing goes up, businesses may decide to hold off making large purchases or other investments in expansion and growth.

•   Increased saving. Higher interest rates on savings accounts, especially high-yield savings accounts, incentivize saving, since account holders will earn a higher return on their balances.

•   More foreign investment. Higher interest rates can attract foreign investors looking for better returns on their investments, which can increase demand for U.S. currency.

Recommended: APY vs Interest Rate

How Higher Rates Combat Inflation

When the federal funds rate rises, it sets off a ripple of effects in the U.S. economy. It makes it more expensive for commercial banks to borrow from each other, more expensive for businesses to finance large projects, and more expensive for consumers to get mortgages and other types of loans. This ultimately leads to less borrowing, less spending, more saving (thanks to good interest rates on bank accounts), and less overall money in circulation. Altogether, this tends to have a cooling effect on the economy, which helps to lower inflation.

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that the impacts of monetary policy set by the Fed are generally not swift. It can take upwards of 12 months for a rate hike to wend its way through the economy and actually ease prices. It’s also important to keep in mind that there are many things that impact inflation — from supply chains to labor costs to consumer demand. Interest rates are only one influencing factor.

Recommended: 10 Ways To Save Money Fast

Potential Drawbacks of Raising Interest Rates

While raising interest rates can be an effective tool for fighting inflation, it is not without its drawbacks. Here’s a look at some of the potential downsides of raising interest rates.

•   Economic slowdown: As borrowing becomes more expensive, businesses may delay expansion or cut back on hiring, leading to slower job creation. Consumer spending may also decline, resulting in reduced demand for goods and services. Over time, this can lead to a slowdown in gross domestic product (GDP) growth, potentially tipping the economy into recession.

•   A rise in unemployment: As businesses face higher borrowing costs, they may reduce their workforce or halt new hiring to cut expenses. Industries that rely heavily on borrowing, such as construction and real estate, can potentially see significant job losses as investment slows.

•   Rise in the government debt costs: When interest rates rise, the cost of servicing the U.S. government’s debt also increases. Higher interest costs can strain the government’s budget and reduce the funds available for other important programs, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

The Takeaway

Raising interest rates is a powerful tool used by the Federal Reserve, the central bank of the U.S., to control inflation, particularly in an overheating economy. By making borrowing more expensive and encouraging saving, higher interest rates reduce consumer spending and business investments, which can help cool demand and bring inflation under control.

However, this approach is not without its downsides, as it can lead to slower economic growth, increased unemployment, and higher government debt costs.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

How quickly do interest rate hikes affect inflation?

The effects of interest rate hikes on inflation can take at least 12 months to materialize. Central banks raise rates to reduce borrowing and spending, which in turn lowers demand for goods and services, along with prices. However, it takes time for this chain of events to ripple through the economy. On top of that, inflation is influenced by numerous other factors (including global supply chains, energy prices, and labor markets), which can also delay the impact of rate hikes.

Can raising interest rates cause a recession?

Yes, raising interest rates too aggressively can potentially cause a recession. Higher interest rates increase the cost of borrowing for consumers and businesses, which can reduce spending and investment. If rates rise too quickly or remain elevated for too long, the economy may slow significantly, leading to reduced consumer demand, lower business activity, and ultimately job losses. If economic output contracts for two consecutive quarters, it generally indicates a recession.

What happens to savings accounts when interest rates rise?

When interest rates rise, savings account holders typically benefit from higher returns. In response to rising benchmark rates set by the Federal Reserve, many (though not all) banks and credit unions will increase the interest rates they offer on savings accounts This can make saving more attractive than spending.

Photo credit: iStock/PixelsEffect

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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A relatively new term, money dysmorphia is when someone’s perception of their finances doesn’t align with reality, such as feeling financially insecure even when they’re managing their money well. They may feel as if they can’t keep up with their peers when they are actually on a solid financial footing. Almost one in three (29%) of U.S. consumers reported this outlook in a December 2023 survey by Credit Karma.

Money dysmorphia can be problematic because having a distorted view of your financial standing can lead you to make unwise financial decisions. It can also exacerbate financial and overall anxiety. For this reason, it’s wise to become familiar with the symptoms of money dysmorphia, as well as how to deal with its impact.

Defining Money Dysmorphia

Money dysmorphia is defined as perceiving your financial status to be different from and worse than reality. It borrows from the term “body dysmorphia,” a mental health condition in which a person has anxiety over perceived physical faults, when in reality those “faults” are minor or unrecognizable to others.

Money dysmorphia is often tied to a “keeping up with the Joneses” or FOMO (fear of missing out) viewpoint. For example, you might be earning a solid income, have a tidy sum in your bank account, and be paying down your student debt, but when you scroll through social media, your perception becomes skewed. You might see images of what looks to be the entire world, minus you, living it up on the French Riviera. By comparison, your life seems inadequate.

This is money dysmorphia in action. It hits younger generations especially hard, with 43% of Gen Zers and 41% of Millennials experiencing this issue.

Signs and Symptoms of Money Dysmorphia

How do you know if you are among the ranks of those with money dysmorphia? Here’s a look at some common signs of money dysmorphia.

•   You tend to underspend. Money dysmorphia can make you feel poor in comparison to others — as if you’re barely getting by. You might adopt stringent measures to stop spending money and thereby build wealth. If you are avoiding many or all social events or swearing off vacations (including that favorite weekend getaway with your BFF), even while you have adequate spending money available, you could have money dysmorphia.

•   You often overspend. The opposite behavior can also be true. Some with money dysmorphia may respond to feeling poor by overspending. For instance, if you see that many people your age on social media are shopping for status watches or handbags, you might drop a chunk of change on one to feel part of the (rich) club, even if that means you can’t put money in your retirement account for a while.

•   You have trouble making financial decisions. Money dysmorphia can also paralyze you in terms of making financial decisions because your money status isn’t clear. Perhaps you’ve changed jobs and need to earmark a percentage of your earnings to go into a retirement account. With money dysmorphia, you may feel unable to know how much to save because you’re so unsure of your financial picture.

•   You feel stressed or embarrassed about your financial situation. Money anxiety and stress, as well as feelings of inadequacy, can be a big part of money dysmorphia. If you feel as if everyone is doing better than you, financially speaking, and that you’ve failed to “make it,” even when you are objectively doing fine financially, that is a symptom.

Recommended: How to Make a Budget

Causes and Contributing Factors

Here’s a closer look at which forces can conspire to trigger money dysmorphia.

Psychological Influences

There’s no doubt that the topic of money in and of itself can be stressful. In an April 2024 MarketWatch survey, 88% of respondents reported some degree of financial stress, and 65% (almost two out of three) said finances are their single biggest source of anxiety.

What’s more, focusing on which people have how much money can stir up many other emotions. Feelings of inadequacy, worries about one’s future, along with concerns about self-control and spending can all feed into money dysmorphia.

Social and Cultural Factors

Social media and reality TV can be a key driver of money dysmorphia by constantly showing curated images of luxury, abundance, and financial success. Constantly seeing this type of content can make you feel as if you’ve fallen short, despite the hard work you’ve put into your career and the successes you’ve achieved. Even just checking in on your friends and family through social media may make you feel that others have more and are living better lives than you are.

Personal Experiences

You might have experiences in your past that make you particularly vulnerable to money dysmorphia. Maybe you grew up in a family with limited resources, so now you feel compelled to show off your wealth. Or perhaps your family had money then lost it, and you went from feeling secure to feeling as if everyone was richer than you.

Experiences in adulthood can also feed into money dysmorphia. Maybe you started your own business and it failed or you got laid off from your first job. Even if you now have a steady income, those experiences could make you feel as if you are always struggling and everyone else is doing better than you financially, even when that’s not the case.

Recommended: What Are Fixed vs Variable Expenses?

Impact of Money Dysmorphia on Financial Behavior

As noted above, money dysmorphia can alter your financial behavior in significant ways. For some, it leads to excessive scrimping and saving due to a sense of feeling poor and wanting to hold as much money as possible. While this can produce positive behaviors (like opening a savings account to stash as much cash as possible), hoarding funds can also result in missing out on life’s pleasures.

Money dysmorphia can also trigger the opposite problem — spending more than you can afford in an effort to keep up with your peers or due to a constant fear of missing out. Blowing your savings on a status buy could make you feel rich in the short term, but make it impossible to stick to a budget and result in steep credit card debt.

Having a distorted view of your financial picture can also cause you to make poor financial decisions. For example, if you can’t tell if you’re doing okay or going broke, you might not feel you can contribute toward an emergency fund. Not socking away money in that kind of account could be a liability down the road.

Strategies for Managing and Overcoming Money Dysmorphia

If, as you read about money dysmorphia symptoms, you’re thinking, “That’s me!”, here’s advice to help you handle the situation.

Limiting Social Media

Taking a break from social media, reducing the time you spend online, or weeding out accounts that make you feel financially inadequate can help with money dysmorphia. You might adopt one of these habits for a specific period of time, such as two weeks, and then see if you even miss that content.

You might also make some changes in who you socialize with offline. If you have friends who spend lavishly, you can get sucked into a game of keeping up. You might decide to go out to dinner with big spenders only a few times a year and otherwise meet up with them for more wallet-friendly activities, like a free concert or walk in the park.

Seeking Professional Help

Working with a finance professional can be a good way to get clarity on your financial situation and potentially help you resolve money dysmorphia. You can get an unbiased opinion of how well you are budgeting, saving for the future, and managing debt, as well as tips on enhancing your efforts, if needed.

Alternatively, you might decide to see a therapist or psychologist to work on emotional issues related to money. Another option is to work with a financial therapist, who blends knowledge of personal finance and human behavior to work on overcoming money dysmorphia, achieving financial discipline, and other issues.

Developing Healthy Financial Habits

Honing your financial habits may also help you avoid or overcome money dysmorphia. A good start is having a budget that works for you. There are many budget techniques and tools to help you understand how much money you have coming in, where it goes, and how to balance your finances. A good budget can clearly spell out how much money you have available for discretionary spending (“fun” money). It may also help you realize just how well you are doing financially or allow you to see that your goals are within reach.

You can create a budget and track your spending with pen and paper, or you might download a budgeting and spending app to your phone to simplify the process.

The Takeaway

Money dysmorphia occurs when a person feels as if their financial situation is different from the reality. For example, if you are earning a steady income and saving for the future but see lots of millionaires living it up on social media, you might feel as if you are struggling financially in comparison. This can lead to issues such as overspending to keep up, being miserly in an effort to build wealth, or being unable to make financial decisions. Fortunately, a few smart strategies can help you manage or overcome money dysmorphia and find your financial footing.

Having the right banking partner can also help you track and grow your money and feel more confident about your finances.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

How do I know if I have money dysmorphia?

Signs of money dysmorphia include overspending to “keep up with the Joneses” or economizing too much because you think you are financially unstable compared to others. You might also have anxiety and uncertainty about your financial standing, which can cause you to miss out on opportunities that would help you build wealth and secure your future.

Can money dysmorphia be treated?

Yes, money dysmorphia can be treated. You can work on adopting healthy money habits (which could include avoiding social media, a possible trigger for money dysmorphia) and/or seek help from a financial advisor or therapist to move past this issue.

What resources are available for those struggling with money dysmorphia?

If you are struggling with money dysmorphia, you might benefit from working with a financial planner to help you budget and save wisely. This process can also help you track your progress, which can be reassuring. Or you might work with a mental health professional or financial therapist to explore the emotional underpinnings of your money dysmorphia and develop coping strategies.

Photo credit: iStock/Riska

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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