We consider each application according to our eligibility guidelines. To estimate a rate, we need a sense of how you'd meet them, including some basic information found on your credit report. For example, we look at your FICO score, your debt load, and your payment history. To get this information, we run a soft credit inquiry from Experian. Your social security number is how you provide consent for us to perform the inquiry. (If you go on to submit a full application, you'll enter your SSN a second time to provide consent for a hard credit inquiry.)