Hard Inquiry for Calling and Reporting Lost Sears Card

[Anonymous]

Two days ago I noticed that an old Sears charge card that I have not used in 4 years was showing up as open on all three of my credit reports.  Since I don't even know where the card is, I called SEARS/CBSD and told them my card was lost and I needed one mailed.  They verified my address and told me that they would mail it in 7 days.

Yesterday I received an alert from TrueCredit saying:

NEW INQUIRY from SEARS/CBSD on 10/19/07 on TransUnion report.

Can they legally run a hard credit check for a replacement card?  I had no idea they would this.  How can I fight this so that they remove the hard check?

[Anonymous]

Very possibly a legit ing - if it was inactive that long they are essentially re-opening the account.  Try not to let sit dormant more than 6 months, preferably use once each quater (spend $10 in Sears).

[Anonymous]

They never told me it would require a hard inquiry. If I knew then I would not have done it. At this point what should I do?

[John060675]

When you asked them if they would do a soft or hard inquiry, what did they say?  If they said "soft" then you might be able to call back and ask to speak to a supervisor and complain (make sure to give the name of the cust. service rep. you spoke with, all the details, etc.).

More than likely there will be nothing you can do.  It never hurts to ask though.

[haulingthescoreup]

Good gosh, it would never have occurred to me to ask if a CCC would do an inq for re-issuing a card! I may just stay in bed with the covers over my face. It's getting scary out there!

[Anonymous]

I never even mentioned anything about inquiries (soft/hard). I just wanted my card reissued.

[Anonymous]

I noticed that my Kay Jewelers cc (only one that didn't close after my bk) was listed as open when I pulled my credit report.  I had previously cut it up assuming that it was closed.  When I called and asked for a new card they stated that since my account was inactive for so long I would have to go in the store and reapply.  I declined and stated that it was on my credit report as opend.  She offered to close it for me and I said, "no, no, don't do that.  I'm disputing some other things on my credit reports currently and don't want anything getting changed or messed up since I'm still in the process."  She said she would just leave it as-is.  *whew*