Each time somebody runs a credit report on you, how many points you lose in your credit score?

Answer 1

It's actually impossible to tell. The credit bureaus keep their scoring system as proprietary information. It's impossible to say that your score will suffer 20 points from this bureau or 7 from that one.

What they have shared with us is this: it depends on who's pulling your report and when it's pulled.
If you pull your own report, your score will not suffer. If a certified credit counseling agency, employer, government entity or particular credit card companies* pull your report, it will not hurt your score.
If you are applying for credit - be it a card, a mortgage, car loan, personal loan, etc., your score will be docked. If you are going to shop around for the best rates (like with a mortgage or car loan), you should do that shopping within 14 days. That way, it only counts as one inquiry.

*If a credit card company views your report to see if they want to extend you a generic, pre-screened offer, this does not count against you. Also, if you have a relationship with a credit card, they might check your report periodically to see if you are using/paying your other credit card accounts. They might also use this info to raise your credit limit. Again, this does not hurt your score.

Answer 2

You get knocked 3-5 points per check, depending on the number of requests, and how old they are. Within 3 monthes with no checks, you are no longer penalized. Check your credit ten to twelve times in a month, and watch it drop like a rock.

Answer 3

The only times that it hurts you is if you are applying for new credit. If it is from one of those preapproved credit card offers, it does not hurt your score. Also, if you are mortgage shopping and keep it to within 2 weeks I believe, your score is not affected.