Hard pull from Synchrony Bank that I did not authorize?

[StihlBilly]

I just got a hard pull yesterday and these were the details associated with it:

Creditor Contact Details

SYNCB
PO BOX 965037
ORLANDO , FL 32896
(866) 419-4096

I have one Synchrony card (Lowes) with a $17,500 limit that I have not used in a while, so I certainly have not been in contact with them or asked for an increase lately, plus they are a soft pull for increases anyway.  What does this mean?  Could my identity have been stolen?

[Anonymous]

You should definitely call them and ask why.  

[Anonymous]

I too got a hard pull from this company when I call the number you got listed it's an automation how can I tLk to a representative

[AverageJoesCredit]

We can be hard pulled by our creditors ar any time but with the recent Equihack, id investigate and on the safe side maybe freeze your accounts until the dust settles.

[Spotsy]

@AverageJoseCredit....are you sure about the statement "We can be hard pulled by our creditors ar any time..." ?  Hard pulls are only supposed to occur due to "Permissable purposes".  Yes, we CAN get a HP from a creditor at any time, but that does not mean it is permitted. 

OP...definitley call and if necessary write a few letters demanding proof that it was legal and permissible.  It may have been a mistake and they will correct it, but also double/triple your records that you have NOT asked for a CLI, opened a New Account, or an existing account (wither truly yours or fraudulently opened) has gone to collections... that is backed by Synchrony.  Synchrony backs a LOT of cards out there.

[Anonymous]

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@Spotsy wrote:

@AverageJoseCredit....are you sure about the statement "We can be hard pulled by our creditors ar any time..." ?  Hard pulls are only supposed to occur due to "Permissable purposes".  Yes, we CAN get a HP from a creditor at any time, but that does not mean it is permitted. 

OP...definitley call and if necessary write a few letters demanding proof that it was legal and permissible.  It may have been a mistake and they will correct it, but also double/triple your records that you have NOT asked for a CLI, opened a New Account, or an existing account (wither truly yours or fraudulently opened) has gone to collections... that is backed by Synchrony.  Synchrony backs a LOT of cards out there.

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Yes, they can HP at you any time if you have an account with them. That is all that is needed to meet the permissible requirement.  This has been verified many times by our resident FCRA legal expert, RobertEG and others.  While anyone getting an unexpected HP should make contact with the creditor to see if it was a mistake, all they have to say is we wanted to check your credit and that is sufficient reason.

[Spotsy]

Then I respectfully disagree with you and RobertEG.  A creditor cannot HardPull your report at anytime just because you have an account with them. As the OP stated, ithe account was not used for a while and they had not contacted them for any reason. What is the reason for the HP then? This does not pass the legal and permissible test as defined in the FCRA.  If there is a link to another thread at MyFICO that discusses this topic then please share so we can all learn.

[Anonymous]

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@Spotsy wrote:

Then I respectfully disagree with you and RobertEG.  A creditor cannot HardPull your report at anytime just because you have an account with them. As the OP stated, ithe account was not used for a while and they had not contacted them for any reason. What is the reason for the HP then? This does not pass the legal and permissible test as defined in the FCRA.  If there is a link to another thread at MyFICO that discusses this topic then please share so we can all learn.

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Well not to be rude but you're wrong.  You can disagree all you want but RorbertEG specializes in the provisions of the FCRA and is well versed about what has and hasn't been ruled a permissible purpose and he has stated many times that a creditor can HP you at any time if you have an account with them.   Read this link from Experian and note that these are permissible reasons under FCRA 604:

https://www.experian.com/assets/healthcare/fcra-notice-to-consumers-112612.pdf

• For the extension of credit as a result of an application from a consumer, or the review or collection of a consumer's account. Section 604(a)(3)(A)

• To review a consumer's account to determine whether the consumer continues to meet the terms of the account. Section 604(a)(3)(F)(ii)

Whether you have used your account or not isn't relevant.  Other factors in your credit history related to other accounts can be reason enough for an existing creditor to do a HP to determine if they still want to extend credit to you or not.  Honestly this point has been discussed many times on the forum and they can do an HP at any time. 

[RobertEG]

I have never stated that an existing creditor can make a hard inquiry at any time.

Yes, they have permissible purpose to obtain your credit report under FCRA 604(a)(3)(F)(ii).

However, CRA policy is clearly that inquiries for account review purposes that have not resulted from a consumer-initiated request for credit are recorded as soft pulls.

It was likely a coding error when the inquiry was made.

If it was clearly an internal account review, it will be recoded as soft.

[Spotsy]

Thank you for the clarification....this makes sense.