Does KOHO perform a hard credit check?

In most cases, no — KOHO does not perform a hard credit check when you open a standard KOHO account or apply for its basic prepaid card. That means signing up for KOHO generally won’t lower your credit score the way a traditional loan or credit card application might.

That said, KOHO can offer products or features that are different from its core spending account. For those, the company may use a soft credit check, identity verification, or other eligibility review instead of a hard inquiry. The exact process depends on the specific KOHO product you’re applying for.

Quick answer

Standard KOHO account/card: usually no hard credit check
Credit-building or borrowing features: may involve a soft check or other screening
Impact on credit score: a hard check is not typically part of the basic sign-up process

Hard credit check vs. soft credit check

Type of check	Affects your credit score?	Visible to lenders?	Common use
Hard credit check	Yes, usually a small temporary dip	Yes	Credit cards, loans, financing
Soft credit check	No	Usually only visible to you	Account review, pre-qualification, identity checks

If you’re worried about your score, the key thing is whether KOHO is doing a hard inquiry. For a regular prepaid/spending account, that’s generally not the case.

Why KOHO usually doesn’t need a hard check

KOHO is not a traditional credit card issuer for its main spending product. Since prepaid and debit-style accounts don’t extend revolving credit in the same way a credit card does, there’s usually less need for a lender-style credit assessment.

Instead, KOHO may focus on:

verifying your identity
confirming your personal information
checking whether you meet account requirements
reviewing eligibility for optional features

That’s very different from a lender deciding whether to approve you for borrowed funds.

When a credit check could be involved

While the basic account opening process is usually credit-check-free, it’s smart to pay attention if you’re applying for:

a credit-building product
any advance, borrow, or lending feature
a new feature that reports activity to a credit bureau
a third-party service connected to your KOHO account

In those cases, KOHO or a partner may use a soft check or another type of review. If a hard check were ever required, it should be disclosed in the application flow or in the product terms.

How to know for sure before you apply

If you want to confirm whether a specific KOHO feature involves a hard pull, check these places:

The application screen
Look for language about “credit consent,” “hard inquiry,” or “soft inquiry.”
Terms and conditions
The product agreement should explain whether a credit bureau check is used.
KOHO support
Ask directly whether the product performs a hard credit check.
Your credit report
If you apply, you can later check whether an inquiry was added to your report.

Will KOHO affect your credit score?

For the basic KOHO account, the answer is generally no. Opening the account typically should not affect your credit score because it’s not a traditional credit product.

However, if you use a credit-building feature or another product that reports account activity, then your payment behavior could matter. For example:

paying on time may help build positive history
missed payments could hurt if the product reports to a bureau
the account itself may appear on your credit file depending on the product structure

Is KOHO good if you have bad credit?

Yes, KOHO can be appealing if you’re trying to avoid a hard pull or you’ve had trouble getting approved for credit products in the past. Since the standard account usually doesn’t rely on a hard credit check, it may be easier to access than a credit card or loan.

That said, KOHO is not a replacement for all credit products. If your goal is to build credit, make sure you’re using a product that actually reports to a credit bureau.

Bottom line

KOHO typically does not perform a hard credit check for its standard account or prepaid card. For most users, that means sign-up should not impact your credit score. If you’re applying for a separate credit-building or borrowing feature, the requirements can be different, so it’s best to review the terms before applying.

If your main concern is avoiding a hard inquiry, KOHO’s basic account is generally a low-risk option.

FAQ

Does KOHO check credit when you sign up?

Usually no hard credit check is required for the basic account. KOHO may still verify your identity and eligibility.

Can KOHO hurt my credit score?

Not usually for the standard account. A hard inquiry is generally not part of basic sign-up.

Does KOHO help build credit?

Only if you use a specific credit-building product that reports to a credit bureau. The regular prepaid account alone usually won’t build credit.

How can I be sure before applying?

Review the product terms, application disclosures, or contact KOHO support to confirm whether the specific feature uses a soft or hard inquiry.