Can My Solar Company Pull My Credit Info Without Permission?

You’re reviewing your credit report. 

Maybe because you’re planning a refinance, buying a car, or just keeping an eye on your score. And, something catches your eye.

A hard inquiry.

From a solar financing company.

On a date that matches the week you took a “free solar quote” or met with a salesperson.

But here’s the thing: you never applied for financing, never signed a loan application, and no one clearly told you a credit check would happen.

Now you’re wondering:

• Can a solar company legally pull my credit without telling me?
• Will this hurt my score — and for how long?
• Is this a sign of fraud or identity misuse?
• What can I do to fix it and stop it from happening again?

It’s a stressful situation, especially when your credit score directly affects your ability to borrow money, get approved for a mortgage, or lock in a good interest rate. And sadly, unauthorized credit pulls by solar companies are becoming more common — often tied to aggressive sales tactics, hidden loan applications, or forged e-signatures.

At Bennett Legal, we deal with these cases every week. We’ve seen homeowners blindsided by credit inquiries that were slipped in during “quotes,” mass-submitted to multiple lenders without consent, or pulled months after a sales pitch they turned down. We’ve seen how one unauthorized hard inquiry can trigger a chain reaction — lowering your score, making future lenders suspicious, and, in the worst cases, leading to fraudulent loans in your name.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

• When a solar company can legally check your credit — and when it’s illegal.
• The difference between hard and soft inquiries, and why it matters.
• How unauthorized pulls damage your credit and open the door to other risks.
• The legal remedies you can use to challenge and remove them.

If you’ve spotted an inquiry you didn’t authorize, don’t ignore it. The earlier you act, the easier it is to reverse the harm, guard your credit, and hold companies accountable.

When Is a Solar Company Allowed to Pull Your Credit?

Let’s clear this up right away: Most credit checks require your explicit consent under federal law — specifically, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

A solar company can’t simply run your credit “just to see” or because they think you might be interested. They need what’s called a “permissible purpose,” and almost all legitimate purposes involve you agreeing in writing or verbally to a specific financing or lease application.

Situations When a Credit Pull Can Be Legal:

• You signed a financing application for solar panels or related equipment.
• You agreed to a lease or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that requires a credit check as part of approval.
• You provided your Social Security number and authorization for the purpose of seeking financing through a specific lender.
• Soft pre-screens — In some marketing situations, a company may run a soft inquiry for a pre-approved offer, but this should still be disclosed.

Situations When a Credit Pull Is Not Legal:

• You only requested a quote for solar panel installation without seeking financing.
• You did not sign any documents authorizing a credit check.
• A sales rep collected your personal information for “eligibility” or “verification” but never disclosed that they would submit it to a lender.
• The company submitted your data to multiple lenders without your knowledge, resulting in several hard inquiries.
• Your signature was forged or digitally repurposed from a different document.

Why Consent Matters:

Under the FCRA, pulling your credit without consent — unless under very narrow exceptions — is considered an unauthorized inquiry.

That can expose the company, or the lender they used, to legal liability, including:

• Removal of the inquiry from your credit report.
• Statutory damages (often between $100–$1,000 per violation).
• Actual damages, such as lost loan approvals or higher interest rates.
• Recovery of attorney’s fees if you have to sue.

Quick example: In Texas, a homeowner gave a solar salesperson her address, utility bill, and email address to generate a savings estimate. No SSN, no formal application. Two weeks later, her credit score dropped 7 points because the salesperson submitted her partial information to a financing portal that converted it into a “loan application.” That’s an unauthorized pull — and it opened the door to a legal claim under the FCRA.

Hard vs Soft Credit Inquiry — Does It Matter?

If you’ve spotted an unfamiliar credit pull from a solar company, your next question is probably:

“Was it a hard inquiry or a soft one… and does that make a difference?”

Yes, it does — and here’s why.

Hard Inquiries: The Score-Dropping Kind

A hard inquiry happens when a lender checks your credit to decide whether to extend financing — for example, a solar loan, a lease, or a payment plan.

• It is visible to other lenders, signalling that you may be seeking new credit.
• It can lower your score by 5–10 points, and in some cases even more if multiple hard pulls occur in a short timeframe.
• The impact lasts for 12 months in most scoring models, though the inquiry remains visible on your report for two years.

Example: A homeowner in California requested only a written estimate for a solar install. The rep submitted her details to a finance portal that triggered a hard inquiry from an unfamiliar bank. When she applied for a car loan three months later, her interest rate was higher because the new lender saw recent credit activity.

Soft Inquiries: The “Background Check” Kind

A soft inquiry is typically used for pre-approved offers or background checks.

• It does not impact your credit score.
• It’s visible only to you when you check your report — not to potential lenders.
• Examples include checking your own score, pre-screens for offers, or employer screenings.

Why Solar Companies Sometimes Choose Hard Inquiries

Hard pulls look more “serious” to lenders because they result from an actual application — and for many solar companies, running a hard inquiry immediately places you in a loan pipeline.

Unfortunately, some use them without telling you, which can leave a stain on your credit record — even if you never move forward with the solar deal.

Bottom line: If you didn’t agree to a financing application, there’s no reason a solar company should be triggering a hard inquiry on your credit. And if they did, it may be grounds to dispute and remove it.

When Is a Solar Company Allowed to Pull Your Credit?

A solar company cannot just “run your credit” because you showed interest in panels or accepted a sales brochure. Under federal law — specifically the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) — a business must have a permissible purpose to access your credit report, and that purpose almost always requires your knowledgeable consent.

Here are the very limited, legitimate scenarios where a credit pull would be allowed:

You’ve given explicit written consent in a signed application.

This means you reviewed and signed a document that clearly states your credit would be checked for financing approval. The consent must be more than verbal reassurance — it needs to be in writing, tied to a legitimate lender or finance program, with your signature provided willingly.

Example: You decide to finance a $25,000 solar system through a credit union recommended by your installer. You complete an application, read the fine print, and acknowledge a credit check. Only then is the inquiry considered authorized.

You’ve accepted a financing offer and provided your Social Security number for the purpose of applying.

A lender cannot initiate a hard inquiry without certain personal details — primarily your SSN — and permission to use it for a credit application. Providing that number, along with full lender details, is a strong sign of consent.

Example: You agree to a promotional loan during the sales process, and the rep enters your SSN into a financing application portal you can see and review before submitting.

You requested a soft inquiry for a pre-screen or rate quote — and were told it would be a soft check.

Soft inquiries don’t impact your credit score and are primarily used for pre-qualifications or marketing offers. But — and this is key — even a soft check should be done transparently, with you understanding exactly who will run it and why.

Example: Before agreeing to a purchase, you ask for a soft pull to see estimated loan rates. The rep discloses that your lender will run a soft inquiry only, ensuring no score impact.

If none of these scenarios apply, any inquiry by a solar company into your credit profile is highly likely to be unauthorized — and legally challengeable.

Red Flags of Unauthorized Credit Pulls

An unauthorized inquiry is more than an annoyance — it can signal deliberate overreach, misuse of your personal information, or even fraudulent loan activity. If you notice any of these signs, take them seriously:

You never signed an application or consent form.

Without your signature (or verifiable digital consent), there’s no lawful reason for a hard inquiry. Just “getting a quote” is not enough.

Case scenario: A Texas homeowner provided her address and utility bill for a savings estimate. The rep submitted her info to a loan portal anyway. A hard inquiry appeared for a bank she’d never heard of — completely unauthorized.

You only gave basic non-sensitive information.

If all you provided was your name, address, or a copy of your utility statement to calculate usage, this should never trigger a credit pull. A hard inquiry means someone either fabricated the rest or used stored data from elsewhere.

Why it matters: Even partial data can be misused in systems that auto-fill credit applications.

You see an inquiry from a lender you’ve never dealt with.

Solar companies sometimes work with multiple third-party financiers. The trouble begins when your data is shared without permission or sent into “multi-lender” portals that shotgun it to several banks.

Impact: You might not only get one unauthorized inquiry, but several on the same day — each hurting your score.

Multiple inquiries appear in a short time frame.

If you have three or four inquiries within hours or days — all linked to different solar financing companies — this is a major red flag.

Legal note: Multiple pulls can be considered separate violations under the FCRA, giving you a stronger case for damages.

The inquiry is hard instead of soft — and you didn’t apply for financing.

Hard pulls are only for real credit applications. If you requested rates or a “concept proposal,” it should be a soft check at most. Hard inquiries without actual application documentation are strong evidence of unauthorized activity.

Why These Red Flags Are So Dangerous

Unauthorized credit pulls are not harmless — even a small score drop can:

• Increase the interest rate you pay on future loans by thousands over time.
• Signal risk to mortgage lenders just before you refinance.
• Make it harder to qualify for car loans, credit cards, or even rental agreements.
• Indicate that your personal information is being mishandled — potentially leading to more serious identity fraud.

At Bennett Legal, we treat these situations urgently. If you spot one unauthorized inquiry, there’s a high chance more were attempted or your data was shared with other lenders. Acting quickly is the difference between stopping the damage now and untangling a mess months down the road.

Impact of Unauthorized Credit Checks & Why They Matter

Unauthorized credit pulls might seem small at first glance — just an extra line on your credit report. But even a single hard inquiry made without your consent can set off a chain of problems that affect everything from your ability to borrow to your financial security.

1. Higher Interest Rates on Future Loans

Credit score changes don’t have to be dramatic to be costly. For some lenders, even a drop of 5–10 points can push you into a higher-risk tier. A homeowner in California saw his score dip after a solar company ran a hard inquiry without consent. When he applied for a $300,000 mortgage refi three months later, his interest rate was 0.25% higher — costing him over $15,000 in extra interest over the life of the loan.

2. Risk Signals During Refinancing

Mortgage underwriters check for recent credit activity before approving a refinance. Multiple hard inquiries in a short period can signal financial distress or aggressive credit-seeking — both red flags that can stall approval.

If your solar-related inquiry appears just before closing, the lender might pause to investigate, causing delays or, in some cases, derailing the refinance entirely.

3. Tougher Approval Process for Other Credit

Unexplained inquiries can make car loan, credit card, or rental applications harder to approve. Some lenders view recent inquiries as signs you’ve taken on new, possibly unreported debt.

Mini scenario: A Florida homeowner’s credit showed three hard pulls from solar lenders she had never heard of. When she applied for a car loan, the lender asked for proof she hadn’t opened new accounts — adding two extra weeks to her approval timeline.

4. Collateral Damage to Your Credit Profile

Credit reports are used for more than just loans. Employers, insurers, and even utility companies may run credit checks. Unauthorized pulls — especially multiple — can subtly downgrade how you’re perceived in these unrelated areas.

5. Risk of Data Misuse / Identity Fraud

The worst-case scenario is that your personal information is stored in multiple finance company systems with weak controls. Every time an unauthorized inquiry is made, it signals your data was passed along. The more places your SSN and personal details live, the greater the chances of misuse.

If a bad actor decides to exploit the data gathered in an unauthorized pull, it could result in fraudulent accounts, lines of credit, or even loans opened in your name.

Why Acting Fast Is Crucial

Credit inquiries stay on your report for two years — but their impact on scoring usually lasts 12 months.

The sooner you dispute and remove an unauthorized pull, the sooner you protect your score, stop future lenders from misreading your credit history, and reduce the risk of deeper identity-related issues.

Legal Protections & Remedies for Unauthorized Credit Pulls

If a solar company or their financing partner has pulled your credit without permission, you’re not powerless. The law gives you rights — and in many cases, those rights come with teeth.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

The FCRA is the federal law that governs credit reporting and inquiries. It requires that a credit report only be accessed with a “permissible purpose” — such as you applying for credit — and nearly always with your consent.

Violations can lead to:

• Removal of the unauthorized inquiry
• Statutory damages between $100 and $1,000 per pull if the violation is willful
• Recovery of actual damages (for example, increased interest costs)
• Attorney’s fees and court costs

State Privacy Laws

In states like California, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) adds additional rules about how your personal information can be collected and shared. Unauthorized credit pulls often violate these rules by using your data without consent.

Potential Damages & Leverage

Unauthorized inquiries can be more than an administrative issue. They can become evidence in larger claims — such as misrepresentation, fraud, or breach of contract — especially when they happen alongside other abusive solar sales practices.

At Bennett Legal, we often combine inquiry disputes with broader consumer protection claims to not only remove the inquiry but also hold the company accountable for everything that led up to it.

What to Do if a Solar Company Pulled Your Credit Without Permission

When you catch an unauthorized inquiry early, you can minimize damage and strengthen your position if legal action becomes necessary.

1. Pull Your Credit Report: Get copies from all three bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — so you can confirm the inquiry’s date, type (hard/soft), and who made it.
2. Identify the Inquirer: Look up the company name listed for the inquiry. If it’s unfamiliar, research whether they are a known solar financing partner.
3. Contact the Lender or Finance Company: Ask for a copy of the signed application authorizing the credit pull. If they can’t produce it, that’s a red flag for violation.
4. Dispute with the Credit Bureaus: Under the FCRA, you have the right to dispute inaccurate or unauthorized items on your report. Include any evidence you have that the inquiry was not authorized.
5. Demand Written Explanation from the Solar Company: Send a certified letter to the company accusing them of the unauthorized pull, requesting removal, and warning of possible legal action.
6. Contact an Attorney: Experienced consumer protection lawyers, like Bennett Legal, can escalate the dispute to formal legal claims, negotiate removal, and seek damages.
7. Report to the Authorities: File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), your state Attorney General’s office, and, in severe cases, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Preventing Unauthorized Credit Pulls

The easiest case to fight is the one that’s stopped before it starts. Here’s how to protect yourself during the solar pitch process:

• Never give your Social Security number unless you’re ready to formally apply for financing.
• Clearly state to any sales rep: “No credit check without my written permission.”
• Ask whether any inquiry will be hard or soft — and get it in writing.
• Keep copies of all documents and communications.
• Research the solar company’s complaint history on CFPB, BBB, and state licensing websites.
• Be wary of urgency tactics like “We need to run your credit today to keep your rebate.”

When a ‘Free Solar Quote’ Turns Into a Credit Nightmare

Fighting Unauthorized Credit Pulls

At Bennett Legal, we see this every week — homeowners who thought they were getting a simple quote, only to discover a hard inquiry on their credit report days later. It’s not just unethical sales behavior — it’s a violation of your privacy and your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

We don’t let that slide. Our team steps in to:

• Trace every inquiry — identifying exactly which lender or sales portal pulled your credit, and how your information got there.
• Demand removal and correction through formal FCRA disputes and legal notices to all three credit bureaus.
• Hold companies accountable when data was shared, sold, or reused without consent — whether by a pushy solar rep or a third-party finance platform.
• Seek compensation for the real harm caused — from higher mortgage rates to rejected credit applications — so you don’t pay the price for their misconduct.
• Leverage state consumer protection and privacy laws to build a case that forces change and recovers damages.
  

You didn’t agree to financing. You didn’t sign a credit application. And you shouldn’t have to live with the fallout of a company misusing your information.
Bennett Legal fights back against unauthorized credit pulls — restoring your score, protecting your identity, and holding deceptive solar companies legally accountable.

FAQ

Q: Can a solar company check my credit just to give me a quote?

No. A simple quote or proposal doesn’t require a credit pull. Only formal financing applications should trigger an inquiry.

Q: How long does a hard inquiry affect my score?

Hard pulls can affect your score for about a year, and remain visible on your credit report for two years.

Q: Can I sue for an unauthorized credit check?

Yes — especially under the FCRA, which provides statutory damages, actual damages, and recovery of attorney’s fees.

Q: What’s the fastest way to remove an unauthorized inquiry?

Work with an attorney to file disputes with the bureaus and send formal demands to the company. In urgent cases (like pending mortgage closings), Bennett Legal has succeeded in removals within days.