topic Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!! in Credit Card Approvals

Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 06:01:12 GMT

Wanted to share some DPs on the Comenity SCT.

Couldn't get the Boscovs SCT to work for me for the past few months (tried incognito, cleared cache/cookies, used MS Edge, Chrome, Opera, Firefox, Safari no luck), so I tried Wayfair. Pre-approval pop-up + last 4 of SSN. Instant approval for $6.5k BUT it was a hard pull. I called the 3 CRAs and Equifax confirmed there was a hard inquiry. Not sure if locking my credit report would invalidate the SCT, but not sure I want the hard inquiry on my CR. Kind of defeats the purpose of a SCT (increase credit score by lowering utilization and no hard pull), but the $10.5k increase is going to raise my CS a lot more than a few points decrease for a hard inquiry. But I'm still going to fight it. I filed a dispute with Equifax, sent a letter to Comenity, and filed a CFPB complaint.

TIP:

you cant register for online access until after you've received your cc by mail (~2wks). the way around this is by calling wayfair's CS dept and asking for the sales dept. they can contact comenity on an authorized/secure line and get your account number. some CSRs say they can't share the account number over the phone (something about the patriot act which is BS IMHO), but 2 comenity CSRs mentioned this workaround although one supervisor was absolutely clueless. finally, i got a comenity supervisor to OK it for me. once i got my account/card #, i registered and then hit that luv button 2x and raised my credit limit to $10.5k the same day i got approved!!

8/7 approved w/ SL $6.5k

8/7 1st CLI $8.5k

8/7 2nd CLI $10.5k

8/7 3rd CLI denied

According to cc companies, the CC starting limit is a combo of one's creditworthiness (credit score/history, debt/risk ie loans, mortgages, income) and your average CC limit.

My average CC limit before applying for the Wayfair card was slightly >$7k. Now, it's >$7.5k.

Interesting to note that my Comenity cards are the ones with the highest limits. For every card, I have at one point been delinquent (30, 60 days) so my CL was lowered and some accounts closed. Probably why my actual CCs (Discover, Barclays) have the lowest CLs; they are not so forgiving. Also, I only recently started requesting CLIs the past year. Before that, I was completely clueless about CLIs and just assumed you were stuck with the original SL.

The Capital One card is now a combo of my $5k Platinum>Savor card + $15k Quicksilver

Capital One Savor $20k (combined CL) (2012 Platinum SL $1k; Quicksilver 2015 SL $2k)

Wayfair $10.5k (2018 SL $6.5k)

Sportsman Guide Visa $7.8k (2017 SL $7k)

Overstock $7.6k (2017 SL $4k)

Discover It $4.5k (2016 SL $1k)

Ann Taylor LOFT $3.8k (opened 2006)

NY&Co $3.55k (opened 2010)

Barclays Rewards $2.4k (2016 SL $2k)

I'm going to be applying for a new Barclays card (Uber) in October and then combining it with my current Barclays cc. Also going to be opening a Chase Freedom and NFCU Flagship Rewards CC within the next 60 days once my credit score increases from the overall lower utilization. Applying for the Chase first due to the 5/24 rule. Maybe another SCT to increase my credit score. Then, NFCU since they typically give high SLs. Hopefully, the hard inquiries from opening a new cc will be buffered by the bump from the increase in my overall credit limits. Wish me luck!

REAL FICO scores: 7/14/2018 TU 739 | 7/24/2018 EQ 721 | 8/7/2018 EX 729

Re: Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

Jnbmom — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 06:06:01 GMT

Congrats on the approval

Why are you disputing the inquiry and filing a complaint, you applied unfortunately sometimes the SCT does not work and you get hit with a HP.

Re: Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 06:15:17 GMT

Congrats on your approval and very nice SL !!!!

Re: Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 06:25:56 GMT

Congrats on the approval!

Re: Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 06:27:40 GMT

I could've sworn I saw a disclaimer stating that applying wouldn't impact my credit score which is why I used the SCT, thinking I wouldn't get a hard inquiry. Unfortunately, I didn't screenshot it since I'm already a Comenity member (have other CCs with them) and I was only asked for the last 4 of my SSN. Just took them at their word.

Obviously, if my disputes get denied, I understand. Most CC apps result in a hard inquiry. Just annoyed since I'm 90% sure there was that disclaimer before I hit the "apply" button so I'm going to see if they can reverse the inquiry.

Re: Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 07:24:49 GMT

Congrats on the approval.

I believe late last year, Comenity changed the SCT rules and it now typically results in a delayed hard pull. I’m not sure if credit tip sites have updated this info.

As AJC says, in this credit game hope for a SP but expect a HP.

Re: Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 07:45:15 GMT

good to know! bummer the SCT won't work any more

i wonder if i lock my credit report, if i can still apply for credit? CRAs told me that if i have a prior banking relationship with a financial institution, the FI can still access my credit report even if it's locked (not frozen). but new FIs cannot. wonder if locking my CR would immediately result in a denial or if it's a workaround for avoiding a HP on a SCT application

either way, good to know the SCT rules have changed

Re: Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

AverageJoesCredit — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 12:15:45 GMT

You cant dispute a valid credit request. Just because it was a SCT card there is always a chance at hp from Comenity and plenty of data points here to prove so. Enjoy your new card .

Re: Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 13:36:49 GMT

@AverageJoesCredit wrote:
You cant dispute a valid credit request. Just because it was a SCT card there is always a chance at hp from Comenity and plenty of data points here to prove so. Enjoy your new card .

That's about it. Just enjoy your new card.

Re: Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

FinStar — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 15:37:21 GMT

OP, as stated already by others, the HP is a valid and permissible authorization to check your CR. The SCT has a disclaimer before you click submit regarding the pre-screened offer, but it clearly does not state that there will be no impact to your CR by submitting the application, so you misread.

So, the point of disputing the HP will be futile because it's been known that some SCT applications will result in a HP regardless. Times have changed.

If you deliberately freeze your CRs, which is not permitted as a discussion on these forums per the TOS, any other applications you submit with Comenity or CCB will be declined.

Re: Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

Jnbmom — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 15:45:55 GMT

Also remember comenity gets spooked very easily. Disputing a legitimate inquiry and filing a complaint could produce some AA

Re: Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

Credit-hoarder — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 16:59:25 GMT

OP: Some Comenity SCT cards are HP and some are not--it's up to you to know which ones are which before you apply. When I got my Wayfair card and Total Rewards Visa good while back both were HPs. MY other Comenity cards were not.

Re: Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 18:04:45 GMT

What's an "AA?"

Re: Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 18:07:34 GMT

Thanks all for the comments. I'm learning a lot! Lesson learned that not all SCTs are soft pulls, and according to 4theLoveofPoints Comenity has changed its SCT rules and most lead to HPs.

Thank you for all the information. Appreciate the knowledge sharing

Re: Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 18:17:14 GMT

thanks for the info, FinStar. Didn't realize this was against the TOS.

I understand there could always be a HP with any credit application, but it's the disclaimer I saw on the application before I hit the "submit" button to apply. I swear it was there, but mb I was mistaken. Either way, the disputes have already been submitted. I just hope Comenity doesn't shut down my account now. I really like the Wayfair card benefits (financing) and I do need to do some redecorating...

Re: Wayfair SCT = HARD Equifax pull!!!

FinStar — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 18:29:03 GMT

Anytime OP.

At least your outcome was positive with the approval and subsequent CLIs 👍😁

As far as the AA abbreviation, that stands for Adverse Action.