We all know that "un-authorized inquiries" do NOT affect the FICO score....else the jamming of our mailboxes /w 'pre-approved offers' would've reduce the nationwide scores to an average of a/b 30. An AUTHORIZED INQUIRY can, however, adversely affect the score. I DID respond to an entity's offer (re: Home Eq) answered all questions on one level, eventually spoke /w underwriter, realized several parameters originally given were wrong. My last word (during the RECORDED conversation) was, "Let's just table this for now...one never knows--the Fed may reduce the rate again in fighting the supposed recession...I'll just wait a few months before moving forward." The underwriter responded, "your information will go to the next level and someone will call you in the next few days...NOTHING will happen until then." I reiterated a desire to cease forward movement. No call---BUT (yes!) "forward movement"....the entity made an inquiry and I can tell my score was reduced a bit.
WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE? Would I be allowed to LISTEN to those 'recorded conversations'? How do I start that process? yes, I know how to contact the original individual with whom I spoke, but I'd really like to skip that idiot and go straight back to the Underwriter; can't b/c I have no name OR direct number as I did not write down a name and the call came in via "Privacy Director" (if not familiar /w Priv Dir: caller identifies, I can accept/decline/ignore call; I accepted as the financial institution name was the exact one /w whom I'd just spoken.) I know.....keep a pen by the phone.
I constantly see advice to "contact the Big Three" (reporting agencies) when corrections are needed: FAR, FAR EASIER SAID THAN DONE!!! Anyone help? Thx! Eema
