 TITLE: Do Utility Company Inquiries Hurt Your Credit Score? CONTENT: Ensure That Utilities Help Your Credit\n--------------------------------------\nUtility inquiries are only soft inquiries, so they won't hurt your credit. And if you opt in to Experian Boost, your utilities can even help your credit scores.\nIf you're late on a utility payment or your account has already been sent to collections, try to get caught up on payments or pay off the collections account as quickly as possible. Then work to maintain a positive payment history going forward.\nTo get a better understanding of where your credit stands, order a free credit report. While a delinquent account can remain on your credit report for seven years, new positive credit activity can reduce its impact over time. END