If you want to go a step further, consider freezing your credit report, which prevents any new lenders from pulling your credit report during the application process. (valuepenguin.com)
You may have heard of freezing your credit cards in a block of ice as a tactic to deter impulse spending and borrowing. (mymoneycounselor.com)
Second, consider freezing your credit with the three major credit bureaus. (humbledollar.com)