If you have applied for a loan or a credit card and the lender or bank has scanned your credit scores in the process, you have likely encountered what is called a hard credit inquiry.When lenders conduct a hard inquiry, it means they are going through a formal assessment of your credit reports. The information included in your credit report is used by the lenders to evaluate your credit history, including your payment punctuality, management of debts and bills, and the presence of any red flags on your...