Why are credit seekers punished for seeking the best rates? My wife and I recently sought a home equity line of credit and a new car loan. When seeking the best rates, credit issuers check our credit scores which cause the scores to drop. This is ridiculous. This is the only situation in which a consumer is PUNISHED for trying to get the best deal. I understand why it would affect the credit score when a person applies for multiple credit cards. But there should be a protected class of inquires including mortgage and car loan inquires which do not damage or lower a consumer 's credit score.