Has ANYONE ever been approved after the dreaded we need more time?

[Anonymous]

The times that I've received this message I have not ever been approved. Whenever I have been approved, it was always instantaneous.

[Anonymous]

Yes.

I applied for 5 store cards from GEMB in the same day.

On my last application I was declined. A week goes by and I don't get a letter. I decide to call in and I'm told that I have not been declined, but I need to be transferred to another department. AKA the fraud department. I was transferred to a nice lady who wanted to confirm my identity via public records info. These creepy records knew where I lived as a 10 year old. Anyway, I was approved for the card (JC Penney) and was told it will arrive shortly.

[LilloEsquilo]

I don't know whether to congratulate you, or cringe because of how creepy that really is. Can you say "Big Brother is watching us?" I thought you could. 1984 may not be here, but it's close enough for rock n roll.

[stan_the_man]

Citibank need to do an address verification for me, both PSECU and USA Fed wanted blood from me (I mean W2s tax returns and pay stubs) and DW before they approved apps, and I've received similar messages from Amex when I didn't receive an instant (60 second) approval.

[clocktick]

My last Amex said that but I ended up being approved.  Chase stated that and I was declined, but then approved with a recon.  My last Citi app stated that and I had to call in, but I ended up being approved.  It definitely does happen.  Some just want to verify your identity.

[tinuviel]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Yes.

I applied for 5 store cards from GEMB in the same day.

On my last application I was declined. A week goes by and I don't get a letter. I decide to call in and I'm told that I have not been declined, but I need to be transferred to another department. AKA the fraud department. I was transferred to a nice lady who wanted to confirm my identity via public records info. These creepy records knew where I lived as a 10 year old. Anyway, I was approved for the card (JC Penney) and was told it will arrive shortly.

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I had a simiar situation. I apped for two GEMB store cards on the same day, was instantely approved for the first (JC Penney), and then got the dreaded 7-10 day message on the second (Dillard's). So, I was certain that the Dillard's was a decline. The next day, I received a call verifying some identity info, and was then congratulated on being approved for the Dillard's Amex.