topic Re: Synchrony Denied for "Identity"... Called and said there's nothing they can do? in Credit Card Applications

Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

JFoBoston — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 17:30:22 GMT

Just wondering if this is now common practice and why I may have been targeted for this...

Applied for Synchrony's Car Credit (don't need it, but wanted a backup for my son who is going to college with his vehicle).

This wasn't an instant approval as has generally been the case. Got a letter stating I needed to call in to "verify" my identity.

After getting mis-directed (3) times, finally spoke to someone who said "it looks like they need you to go to a website, and record a 10 second video of yourself holding your ID" before they can consider me for lending.

I have 3 open accounts with them already, no issues, high-ish lines...

Is this the new norm?

I told them to cancel the applications... I wasn't going to jump through these hoops for this company.

Re: Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

AverageJoesCredit — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 17:41:54 GMT

I keep reading about this. Im all for verification. These fraudsters just wont stop but it seems like abit much and im not sure i want to do that . I have enough credit cards and im glad i got in the Sync Tank when all you needed was to hit submit while in ones boxers shorts.... from the comfort of ones home lol

Re: Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

RehabbingANDBlabbing — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 17:45:54 GMT

I had this happen recently for my Amazon store card. You can do it from your phone. It didn't take too long and I think it is a good way to ensure that the person applying is actually themself. I've also seen this happen at Cap1, but they just have you take photos of your driver's license. You do have to call in after doing it to let them know it's done, but I don't mind. I've been a victim of ID theft repeatedly, so this new, simple process is fantastic in my book.

Re: Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

JFoBoston — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 17:48:16 GMT

Thanks for the replies... I guess it makes sense and seems to be more common as I read other companies have done it. I understand it's for my protection.

I'll have to get gussied up (put pants on) to record a video I can reuse... lol

Cheers all!

Re: Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

Creditplz — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 17:50:09 GMT

They did this to me last year.... didn't go through the process... send me a link to upload ID & SS card maybe then I'd do it.. taking a selfie then calling back seems a bit much to me.

but I know fraud keeps expanding so they must all do something.. Cap1 made me call in the other day just to confirm my identity but it was 30 seconds and easy.

Re: Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 11:32:19 GMT

I had to do the same video nonsense but then was approved.

To me it's like TSA security if pulling me aside to pat down helps prevent another 9/11 then so be it. If this nonsense helps prevent identity theft then so be it.

Re: Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

ScarlettClone — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 15:49:23 GMT

I had to do this for a Lowes card, but they decided that I was not myself and I could not be approved. They would not allow me to provide any other proof of idenity even though I offered items such as passport and Social Security card.

Re: Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

JFoBoston — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 15:54:12 GMT

That's beyond annoying... sorry to hear that. I think that's likely why I didn't proceed with it. More agrevation than its worth, but it does make me wonder why I'm all of a sudden I'm a security risk.

Re: Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

RehabbingANDBlabbing — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 18:23:03 GMT

@JFoBoston wrote:
That's beyond annoying... sorry to hear that. I think that's likely why I didn't proceed with it. More agrevation than its worth, but it does make me wonder why I'm all of a sudden I'm a security risk.

My theoryabout these increased measures is that they are pulling alternative data sources like Sagestream and CoreLogic to see what they have on file. Those sources are plagued with erroneous information, which makes it look like we are fraudsters. I freeze most of those so they aren't out here providing inaccurate info about to me to anyone that will pay them. Also, freezing it makes it more difficult for someone to try and steal my identity.

Re: Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

CreditCrusader — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 20:45:19 GMT

@JFoBoston wrote:
Just wondering if this is now common practice and why I may have been targeted for this...

Applied for Synchrony's Car Credit (don't need it, but wanted a backup for my son who is going to college with his vehicle).

This wasn't an instant approval as has generally been the case. Got a letter stating I needed to call in to "verify" my identity.

After getting mis-directed (3) times, finally spoke to someone who said "it looks like they need you to go to a website, and record a 10 second video of yourself holding your ID" before they can consider me for lending.

I have 3 open accounts with them already, no issues, high-ish lines...

Is this the new norm?

I told them to cancel the applications... I wasn't going to jump through these hoops for this company.

I had to do this when I applied after being pre-qualified for the Sweetwater music credit card.

The good news? The rep I spoke to afterward asked me what limit I wanted...and then gave me exactly what I asked.

Re: Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 18:31:52 GMT

Happened to me at Matressfirm. Pulled transunion. I Declined to video and was directed to submit affidavit of identity instead by fax or mail. Approved 3 days after fax later $4000. Posted to onsumer credit profiles a day after.

Re: Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

Andypanda — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 05:41:21 GMT

Last week i apped for the synch Verizon visa, and got the message saying i will receive a letter in 7-10 days. Got the letter saying they needed more info. All they beeded was to send a text to my cell, and for me to repeat back tge code. After that i was approved.

Re: Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

JFoBoston — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 12:09:33 GMT

Interesting. I bet their using Verizon tech for that.

Re: Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

chalupaman — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 22:40:07 GMT

Yes it's standard procedure these days. I would just suggest making sure your phone is exactly horizontal when you're doing the verification. If it's too off, you'll have a lot of problems getting their system to recognize the back of your drivers license, etc. it's happened to me before but once you figure it out. It's not too bad.

Re: Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

JFoBoston — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 22:52:22 GMT

An affidavit seems more reasonable to me. The thought of a video proof sketches me out.

Thanks for the reply. Its certainly a different take on the issue.

Re: Synchrony - Unable to Verify...

Michizane — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 17:56:11 GMT

I had to do this for Care Credit. It asked me to call a number, then I was given a link to record myself and take pics of my DL...then I was instructed to call in again. After calling in, I was approved for the requested amount. I think it's just a security measure.

Synchrony Denied for "Identity"... Called and said there's nothing they can do?

phoenix12 — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 15:38:45 GMT

I applied for the Rooms2Go credit card, and I was denied, which was a shock for me since my scores were around the 700s and their minimum is low 6's. I get the letter and it says it was unable to verify my identity. I called the applications department this morning and he said there was nothing they can do once an application is denied. Is this true, considering it's just my identity that needed to be verified? I guess I wasted a HP...

Re: Synchrony Denied for "Identity"... Called and said there's nothing they can do?

KLEXH25 — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 20:31:07 GMT

I'm not familiar with Synchrony recons, but perhaps you can just call again and speak to another rep?

Re: Synchrony Denied for "Identity"... Called and said there's nothing they can do?

SoCalGardener — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 20:49:54 GMT

@phoenix12 wrote:
I applied for the Rooms2Go credit card, and I was denied, which was a shock for me since my scores were around the 700s and their minimum is low 6's. I get the letter and it says it was unable to verify my identity. I called the applications department this morning and he said there was nothing they can do once an application is denied. Is this true, considering it's just my identity that needed to be verified? I guess I wasted a HP...

Are any of your credit reports frozen?

If not, I'd definitely call Synchrony again and see if a different CSR can help straighten this out. I'm aware of applications being put on hold while a bank works on verifying identity or other issues, but not denying the whole app and closing the book on it! At the very least they should work with you to get whatever proof of identity they need, and THEN make a decision as to approval or denial.

If your reports are frozen, you could try contacting Synchrony, find out which bureau(s) they use, unfreeze those, and have them try again--using the same HP. That latter point, I really don't know how or if that works, as I've never come up against a situation like yours. But it doesn't make sense that you should have to be out two HPs for one card.

Re: Synchrony Denied for "Identity"... Called and said there's nothing they can do?

Anonymous — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 21:08:35 GMT

I'm not sure which credit report they pull but I sometimes have the same problem. In fact, I just got off the phone with Synchrony about an Apple Card. They do have a website (Synchrony - Synchrony (syf.com))you can access to verify your identity. At least with the Apple Card they recommend you use your cell phone to verify your identity.

Best of Luck!!