revheck said: Despite getting all the green for a good brainstorm, isn't the correct conclusion to this experiment that freezing Experian doesn't work? Most apps that pull Exp are getting denied. The only card you've managed to get approved, so far, is Advanta, which normally doesn't pull Experian anyway.
How about giving it more than 3 minutes?
Am3x sucks and discover isn't worth much anyway. Last night I was able to get US BANK to pull EQ after trying to pull 1 of my frozen reports! So far out of about 20 apps only the 2 have denied me.
I think it's a big deal to me, like i've said all along. If we all keep freezing, they will learn they are losing business and will change their ways.
I don't want to do business with a creditor who will mark me for 2 years SCREW THEM.
If you think you're missing out on something just unfreeze yout experian and get 40 INQs, then you can get all the A/A you want!
revheck
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 10, 2008 @ 3:54p
win333 said: revheck said: Despite getting all the green for a good brainstorm, isn't the correct conclusion to this experiment that freezing Experian doesn't work? Most apps that pull Exp are getting denied. The only card you've managed to get approved, so far, is Advanta, which normally doesn't pull Experian anyway.
How about giving it more than 3 minutes?
Don't understand what you're saying. This thread started more than 2 weeks ago. It's a great idea, and I've seen it referenced in several other threads as a promising technique. But if it doesn't work, which seems to be the case, I suggest adding --NOT! to the title.
revheck said: Don't understand what you're saying. This thread started more than 2 weeks ago. It's a great idea, and I've seen it referenced in several other threads as a promising technique. But if it doesn't work, which seems to be the case, I suggest adding --NOT! to the title.I'm happy to discuss the pros and cons of this idea here.
This experiment is still in progress. The outcome is not decided. You should start you own thread on a topic of interest and contribute something if you want control over the title.
win333
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Feb. 10, 2008 @ 4:45p
revheck said: win333 said: revheck said: Despite getting all the green for a good brainstorm, isn't the correct conclusion to this experiment that freezing Experian doesn't work? Most apps that pull Exp are getting denied. The only card you've managed to get approved, so far, is Advanta, which normally doesn't pull Experian anyway.
How about giving it more than 3 minutes?
Don't understand what you're saying. This thread started more than 2 weeks ago. It's a great idea, and I've seen it referenced in several other threads as a promising technique. But if it doesn't work, which seems to be the case, I suggest adding --NOT! to the title.
WOW! this thread started over 2 weeks ago! We should have the answer already, RIGHT? So don't freeze yours and screw your own report up. But my tactic is working just fine and I will not unfreeze my Experian for atleast another year.
So you think we should just
freeze experian apply Then give up if creditor tries to pull experian.
Well with that thinking, I would not have gotten U.S. bank to pull my Equifax on the second application.
My experience: froze experian, applied for 29 cards (business & personal mixed) on 2/12/2008. Only three apps failed to fire and two were with BofA. Of the others, several pulled the other two apps and approved. See my 29 business personal A0R thread. Thx OP.
freezing ex and eq was the best thing I could do. I have gotten many cards from just tu pulls.
win333
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Feb. 16, 2008 @ 10:47a
Venturion said: My experience: froze experian, applied for 29 cards (business & personal mixed) on 2/12/2008. Only three apps failed to fire and two were with BofA. Of the others, several pulled the other two apps and approved. See my 29 business personal A0R thread. Thx OP.
I'm sure if you unfroze now, you would only get a few hits on EXP. I'd be willing to take a few, but my ration was about 33% hits on EXP. I think some creditors just pull reports for the hell of it and if Exp isn't available they just go to the next one.
I was able to take 2 EXP pullers and make them pull a different report. Am3x and Discov3r wouldn't budge,,,,,YET.
Can't wait for your final result Venturion!
win333
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Feb. 16, 2008 @ 10:54a
althes said: freezing ex and eq was the best thing I could do. I have gotten many cards from just tu pulls.
Ha, thats funny.
I froze EXP and TU and got a crap1 instant approval. It was only for 5,000 but most only get 500, so it was better than getting 3 pulls.
Crap1 just pulls for the hell of it.
Freezing TU is nice, click the button to freeze online and it's frozen instantly. I then applied and unfroze about 1 hour later just as a test. Worked great, I'll have to think about a way around creditors pulling a week later or just keep it frozen.
I'm not real worried about TU pulls, but it was a very interesting experiment.
Hey althes, try to explain that to Losartworks.
revheck
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 17, 2008 @ 8:49a
Any more updates on this, theman2?
jevon90
Addicted Member
posted: Feb. 23, 2008 @ 2:44p
So this freezing of one's Experian credit score looks like a safe practice to take on most all new AORs, correct? Has anybody gotten hassled for a frozen experian when applying for new credit other than maybe eventually having to unfreeze it if they don't pull from TU or Equifax instead. I understand it's probably impossible to avoid all new inqs on Experian as some issuers will insist to see Experian, but this method seems like it should become standard practice. Additionally for those that have disputed Inquiries on your credit report from agencies reporting as slightly different names(say reporting as Barclays when you applied for a Juniper credit card) have you run into any problems, say where the inq is not removed or any complaints from TU,EXP,or Equifax or the credit issuer about these disputes?
Jevon - I tried every issuer except for AMEX on my last A0R (2/12/2008). I had success with all of them while having EX frozen.
On the disputing inquiries front, no problems so far. The disputed inquires disappeared within 2-5 days and no apparent negative consequences.
win333
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Feb. 23, 2008 @ 4:08p
If I might add, I have only disputed with EQ. I only have Rumor to go by for TU and EXP, but from what i've heard it doesn't work with those 2.
jevon90
Addicted Member
posted: Feb. 23, 2008 @ 4:13p
win333 said: If I might add, I have only disputed with EQ. I only have Rumor to go by for TU and EXP, but from what i've heard it doesn't work with those 2. Good data point for me, for simplicity sake do you usually dispute EQ online or via phone(i'm curious which is more convenient/quicker working)? thanks win.
revheck said: Any more updates on this, theman2?Chase gave me three business credit cards. And Advanta gave me the card that I applied for. All of these came with no questions. Citibank and Discover want experian unlocked. I believe Juniper is requesting some sort of information not related to the credit freeze. There has been no adverse action.
I'm very busy with work now (fun with 60 hour weeks!) so I haven't really made any effort as far as calling issuers up and trying to get them to pull the other CRAs. It is just not worth it from a time/benefit standpoint. For the time being, I'm happy with 4 new business lines with no hits on Exp. I probably will go ahead and try a major personal/business credit card AOR soon and see what happens there.
win333
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Feb. 23, 2008 @ 4:30p
Jevon check your PM.
I have had creditors try to pull EXP and refuse to pull another when I ask them too. But It almost seems to be random with some creditors. I need to try more creditors and maybe compile a list of creditors that will pull RANDOMLY depending on which card you apply for.
For example
I applied for us bank biz card and it tried a frozen report. My EXP and TU were frozen. Then I applied for a different biz card with them and they pulled EQ. I never heard anything about the 1st app and my 2nd and 3rd app were both approved. So I think my theory worked perfectly and is worth it's weight in GOLD!
I wanted to try to steer them to pull my EQ because I can dispute the INQs faster than B*.
win333
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Feb. 23, 2008 @ 6:36p
theman2 said: win333 said: I tried AMEX and discover about 8 hours ago, they both tried to hit experian. I tried calling but so far it's a big fat NO. But CRAP1 worked (no limit yet) and Advanta worked (no limit yet).
Discover won't give much and AMEX sucks with thier A/A, so no big loss any way.Thanks. I just did a mini business AOR by applying for business cards from Chase, AMEX, Citibank, Advanta, Juniper, and Discover. All but one of the creditors that show application status online tried to pull experian! Hopefully some can be coaxed into pulling another CRA... Anyhow, this is exactly why I did the freeze to begin with. With my luck (and the creditors I usually focus on), almost every inquiry is on EX. At least it won't hurt my credit score because the inqs didn't happen!
If anyone has suggestions of other banks to hit, I'm open to suggestions. Currently, I have B of A is on my list if I can find any decent cards, possibly Providian/WAMU, and CapitalOne. What am I missing?
TheMan, I think I've heard you say many times that everyone wants to hit your EXPERIAN. Have you ever thought of getting a vacation home in another state (wink wink)
Maybe you know someone in another state that you trust (mom, dad, brother, sister). Most pull EQ here and I've seen others who get their TU pulled the most.
Remember RICH people have many addresses and must have a way around this problem. I know if I change my address with (BofA) for example. When that account updates on my credit report, my address will be changed. You could easily change the address back again after the AOR. There might be a few bugs to work out of it, but before EXP started allowing everyone to freeze I was going to change my address just so I could freeze.
The only proof of address I've had to provide is a Utility bill, so the address you choose should have a Utility bill you can get. Remember some people might only have the utilities in 1 persons name (your wife or friend pays utilities) so they're not in your name.
Just a thought, but if I had your problem I'd figure a way around it.
Colby - freezing only prevents new issuers from a hard pull. AFAIK, it does not prevent your current creditors from a soft pull or updating your account status.
win333 said: TheMan, I think I've heard you say many times that everyone wants to hit your EXPERIAN. Have you ever thought of getting a vacation home in another state (wink wink)
Maybe you know someone in another state that you trust (mom, dad, brother, sister). Most pull EQ here and I've seen others who get their TU pulled the most.
Remember RICH people have many addresses and must have a way around this problem. I know if I change my address with (BofA) for example. When that account updates on my credit report, my address will be changed. You could easily change the address back again after the AOR. There might be a few bugs to work out of it, but before EXP started allowing everyone to freeze I was going to change my address just so I could freeze.
The only proof of address I've had to provide is a Utility bill, so the address you choose should have a Utility bill you can get. Remember some people might only have the utilities in 1 persons name (your wife or friend pays utilities) so they're not in your name.
Just a thought, but if I had your problem I'd figure a way around it.I have considered this. It would most likely have to be a PMB that occasionally forwards all mail to me. The costs/potential issues are just high enough to make me hesitate.
Getting more credit is more of a liquidity issue (I want to have basically 100% of my net worth invested in stocks and 0% loans provides the cashflow), a game (how much credit can I get?), and establishing a good record for later in life (when I actually will need credit for buying a house and potentially business purposes).
If I were more driven, desperate, or actually had high interest debt, I would play the address game and I'm relatively certain it would work.
win333
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Feb. 23, 2008 @ 10:04p
Instead of a PMB, you could try a resident agent. They are more trust worthy and it's what they do, they charge like 100 a year and postage or something like that.
The GAME is why I would do it, Nothin better than a good puzzle.
But ya I understand, just thought i'd toss it out there.
win333 said: Instead of a PMB, you could try a resident agent. They are more trust worthy and it's what they do, they charge like 100 a year and postage or something like that.
The GAME is why I would do it, Nothin better than a good puzzle.
But ya I understand, just thought i'd toss it out there.Thanks for the suggestion. When things slow down at work in a couple months, I'll seriously consider this.
pisistratus said: What's the best way to freeze one's EX report? Especially, in the way that the other two, TU and EQ, are not consequentially frozen?
gethuman.com phone number requires a credit report number in order to speak with a human.link
tolamapS
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Feb. 27, 2008 @ 4:35p
theman2: good thread with lots of useful information, thanks.
Sorry to post this here, but since your AOR was organized around the idea of freezing EX, I have a question to the readers in this thread:
- does it make sense to create a thread in which we accumulate the collective knowledge about freezing EX and then applying for cards? We can describe how to freeze EX, what that means, how that might affect new credit and promotions, and which issuers have been willing to check the other two if EX is frozen. That last bit would help many others to decide if it is worth for them to freeze EX or not.
tolamapS said: theman2: good thread with lots of useful information, thanks.
Sorry to post this here, but since your AOR was organized around the idea of freezing EX, I have a question to the readers in this thread:
- does it make sense to create a thread in which we accumulate the collective knowledge about freezing EX and then applying for cards? We can describe how to freeze EX, what that means, how that might affect new credit and promotions, and which issuers have been willing to check the other two if EX is frozen. That last bit would help many others to decide if it is worth for them to freeze EX or not.haha. Your welcome tolamapS. The point of this thread was to document this information. If you have anything of interest, please update the quick summary. So far, it has just been me updating it but that was not the purpose.
win333
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Feb. 27, 2008 @ 7:33p
I'd update QS but I think our opinions are a little different.
No chance of A/A due to having a freeze, by law it is my right to freeze and does not mean I have something to hide.
Creditors that wouldn't pull another, AMEX and Discover don't pull Experian for some people. So I don't want people to think those creditors ONLY pull Experian.
You could add this if you want:
US bank tried to pull my frozen report for my 1st app. But my 2nd and 3rd apps pulled EQ and I only got 1 pull.
So U.S. Bank actually pulled another on it's own, I didn't even have to ask.
But I never would have known if I hadn't done the 2nd and 3rd apps. So I think no one should give up just because a creditor tries Experian. Next app it might try another, maybe each card with that creditor requires a different CRA be pulled.
WHO KNOWS, but I nothing to lose since Experian is frozen.
tolamapS
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Feb. 27, 2008 @ 9:22p
theman2 said: tolamapS said: theman2: good thread with lots of useful information, thanks.
Sorry to post this here, but since your AOR was organized around the idea of freezing EX, I have a question to the readers in this thread:
- does it make sense to create a thread in which we accumulate the collective knowledge about freezing EX and then applying for cards? We can describe how to freeze EX, what that means, how that might affect new credit and promotions, and which issuers have been willing to check the other two if EX is frozen. That last bit would help many others to decide if it is worth for them to freeze EX or not.haha. Your welcome tolamapS. The point of this thread was to document this information. If you have anything of interest, please update the quick summary. So far, it has just been me updating it but that was not the purpose.
theman2: sorry, I thought this was meant to document your experience. I can provide some data points.
CITI. All divisions of CITI pull a CRA based on the geographic location of the applicant. Once they have attempted to pull a specific report, they won't budge. So if the CRA happens to be Experian, then they won't pull a TU or EQ instead.
AMEX. I have had luck with applying w/ EX frozen, and AMEX checked TU instead. I say instead, because not too long before freezing EX, AMEX checked TU for another credit card. I am not sure if I was lucky, or this is indicative of a pattern.
CHASE. They are willing to pull an AR (soft) if needed. In fact, even in case of rejection, CHASE stated that a report obtained from EX was used to make the decision. There was no hard pull, just a soft.
BofA. Same thing as AMEX. Applied for a card, EX was pulled. Froze EX, applied, TU was pulled.
Can anybody supply an approximate timeline for unfreeze in CA ? How long does it take to get the PIN to temp unfreeze ? Chase pulled Exp, and won't pull others.
win333
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Feb. 28, 2008 @ 10:22a
fatbill said: choe said: It seems like Texas is the same, but I remember being able to temporarily unfreeze without any fee....
BrilliantPebbles said: In California EX get's you coming and going.
Can anybody supply an approximate timeline for unfreeze in CA ? How long does it take to get the PIN to temp unfreeze ? Chase pulled Exp, and won't pull others.
I got my pin about 2 weeks after the freeze. I haven't tried to unreeze yet
Have you tried a different application with chase, You might get lucky and have them pull a different 1.
win333 said: Have you tried a different application with chase, You might get lucky and have them pull a different 1.Maybe I live in the 'right place' but Chase business pulled a CRA other than EX 4 times (three business card applications and one CLI).
revheck
Senior Member
posted: Feb. 29, 2008 @ 10:52a
I sent in Freeze letter to Experian 10 days ago and want to do an AOR on Monday.
Is there a way to confirm the freeze is in effect, other than waiting for Exp letter with unfreeze PIN? For example, shouldn't I see a new alert in my TrueCredit report? Nothing there, so far.
No - you won't see an alert. TC will just stop reporting Experian when its frozen. Wait for your pin, it should arrive any day now. Mine took just longer than 10 days.
Rajin
Member
posted: Feb. 29, 2008 @ 11:32a
I can confirm what Venturion said.
My freeze just went though today. PM123 is now just showing a blank column where all the Experian info would be. It didn't kick out an alert. I mailed the request out 7 days ago.
win333
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Feb. 29, 2008 @ 12:11p
Rajin said: I can confirm what Venturion said.
My freeze just went though today. PM123 is now just showing a blank column where all the Experian info would be. It didn't kick out an alert. I mailed the request out 7 days ago.
Yep, pm123 and chase will not show experian after freeze, TC will still show it. You can try to sign up for another service. If it dosn't let you, then i'm sure it's frozen or wait.
revheck said: I sent in Freeze letter to Experian 10 days ago and want to do an AOR on Monday.
Is there a way to confirm the freeze is in effect, other than waiting for Exp letter with unfreeze PIN? For example, shouldn't I see a new alert in my TrueCredit report? Nothing there, so far.Try requesting a credit report through http://www.experian.com/reportaccess/. The day my report was frozen, it started coming up with a notice stating that I would have to request my report to be mailed to me.
revheck
Senior Member
posted: Mar. 1, 2008 @ 4:18p
theman2 said: revheck said: I sent in Freeze letter to Experian 10 days ago and want to do an AOR on Monday.
Is there a way to confirm the freeze is in effect, other than waiting for Exp letter with unfreeze PIN? For example, shouldn't I see a new alert in my TrueCredit report? Nothing there, so far.Try requesting a credit report through http://www.experian.com/reportaccess/. The day my report was frozen, it started coming up with a notice stating that I would have to request my report to be mailed to me.
I just tried requesting my free annual credit report, and got the same response, so looks like freeze is in effect.
However, I also just got letter from Experian today saying that they have "removed [my] name from our preapproved credit offer mailing lists for five years." No mention of security freeze, or unfreeze pin. Looks like they sent me the wrong form letter. Did anyone else receive same form letter? In addition to unfreeze pin?
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