Can a fraud alert make it hard to get credit?

[FixMyCredit1992]

I have been doing some further reading on credit.

Back in early 2013, I apped for the cap1 secured card and was denied. Unable to locate credit report. 

Huh?

I called and they said I must have a thin file.

Wait a minute, if the secured card is used to BUILD credit, how can having a thin file make it where your denied? Seems pointless to me.

I pulled my EQ CR the other day and found I had a FA placed back in 2012, I didn't realize this, and had it removed.

Now I'm wondering, could have cap1 denied me due to a FA?

[randyrhodes]

Yes. if your phone number doesn't match the one on your CA they'll deny you. they have to talk to you directly to verify YOU are the one that initiated the credit app. speaking from experience.

[FixMyCredit1992]

What if you move and your phone number changes?  You think they could just give you a number to call in the letter.

[randyrhodes]

You have to be the one to make any changes to your personal info on credit report. they will also automatically opt you out of any prescreened credit offers as a result of fraud alert. i want to add that this is not an entirley. bad thing...as long as you make sure your contact info is correct with the cra's

[LearningMoreAboutCredit]

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@randyrhodes wrote:
Yes. if your phone number doesn't match the one on your CA they'll deny you. they have to talk to you directly to verify YOU are the one that initiated the credit app. speaking from experience.

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+1.

A FA without contact information will always result in a denial for credit.

[LearningMoreAboutCredit]

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@randyrhodes wrote:
You have to be the one to make any changes to your personal info on credit report. they will also automatically opt you out of any prescreened credit offers as a result of fraud alert. i want to add that this is not an entirley. bad thing...as long as you make sure your contact info is correct with the cra's

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+1

Very good point...I've never really understood why people see a FA as a bad thing. 

[randyrhodes]

Me either. it can absolutely be a big help in stopping identity theft. I can't stress enough how important it is to keep your contact info updated...not doing so results in hard pulls for no benefit to you by not understanding how a FA actually works. i use one.

[LearningMoreAboutCredit]

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@randyrhodes wrote:
Me either. it can absolutely be a big help in stopping identity theft. I can't stress enough how important it is to keep your contact info updated...not doing so results in hard pulls for no benefit to you by not understanding how a FA actually works. i use one.

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I have my reports frozen and have been years (at least one of them anyways)...I did have an extended FA prior to that.  I've explained in a couple of posts that it is the most simple and cost effective method of identity protection because I don't believe in paying some company a monthly fee for doing the same thing.

[09Lexie]

I have FAs and have had them for years. As long as the potential creditor can reach you based on the contact number provided, it's not a problem. Even my current cc's call me for CLI's. 

[FixMyCredit1992]

I thought some creditors are lazy and will deny you if you have a FA, because it's too much work to call you.