Excessive credit inquiries occur when a person applies for multiple credit accounts in a short period of time. Every time a lender checks your credit report for the purpose of approving a new credit application, it counts as a “hard inquiry” or “hard pull.” While a single inquiry may have a small impact on your score, several inquiries over a short span of time can suggest that you’re seeking more credit than you can handle, which may lower your score. Lenders might interpret this as a sign of financial distress, making you appear riskier. It’s important to limit the number of credit applications you submit to avoid this potential negative effect.