topic Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check in Credit Card Applications

Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

Absolution16 — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 02:49:52 GMT

Most folks would get the dreaded 7-10 day notice from actually applying for a card, but mine is due to come after just checking to see if I pre-qualify.

I placed a 1-year fraud alert with Experian last June. Upon checking with Equifax, they told me they somehow did NOT have that alert on my file, strange as that sounds. I was able to check and remove the fraud alert online with TransUnion, while Experian's link to submit whatever documentation they want from me took me to a page where it insisted I MAIL them the documents. So fraud alert active only with Experian.

I also had security freeze on all 3 of my reports, but I was able to unfreeze them.

I am currently out of the country in Asia, soon to return. I was making changes to my Verizon account, including setting up Auto Pay, and thought the Verizon VISA might come in handy. I had to use VPN to access the Pre-Qualification Check webpage and to proceed.

My FICO8 scores are 775 EX, 760 EQ, and 778 TU. No inquiries for the last 18 months, 7 years AAoA, 20% utilization, and 1 ongoing vehicle loan scheduled to be paid off at the end of this year.

When I called Synchrony, they just told me to wait for the mail for the reason for "denial." It wasn't even an actual application; it was only a check for PRE-qualification.

I am glad I did not just straight up do the actual application. If I get a 7-10 day notice for a PRE-qualification check, I am surely going to get the same result, in addition to an actual HP inquiry placed on my reports.

What may be the reason(s) behind this? The fraud alert that I couldn't remove from Experian? The freeze should have been lifted as I got confirmation emails from the bureaus. Or maybe because I had to use a VPN connection? Which bureaus does Synchrony check for this card?

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

Lurker22 — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 14:03:34 GMT

I pre qualified with them 32 days ago (only a few days after my 13 was discharged) and was shocked to see I was "pre approved" so I applied, they immediately hit TU, was instantly approved (not the best limit but hey it was only a few days after discharge so I'll take the $4k limit) - they immediately added the new account to all 3 CB's with a 0 balance

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

CreditCuriosity — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 12:44:53 GMT

Out of country and VPN and big red flags for most credit card issuers. Likely fraud prevention

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

Absolution16 — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 13:26:44 GMT

@CreditCuriosity wrote:

Out of country and VPN and big red flags for most credit card issuers. Likely fraud prevention

Ah... I suspected it as much. I have heard that people often get an email ahead of the snail mail notice as well, so I suppose all I can do is to wait.

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

TRC_WA — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 21:48:54 GMT

@Lurker22 wrote:
I pre qualified with them 32 days ago (only a few days after my 13 was discharged) and was shocked to see I was "pre approved" so I applied, they immediately hit TU, was instantly approved (not the best limit but hey it was only a few days after discharge so I'll take the $4k limit) - they immediately added the new account to all 3 CB's with a 0 balance

@Lurker22

Yeah I got mine with a $4k limit almost 3 years ago while still making Ch 13 payments and every CLI request since discharge a year ago has been an instant denial.

Guess I gotta wait till my reports are clean later this year.

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

Absolution16 — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 21:59:09 GMT

@TRC_WA wrote:
@Lurker22 wrote:
I pre qualified with them 32 days ago (only a few days after my 13 was discharged) and was shocked to see I was "pre approved" so I applied, they immediately hit TU, was instantly approved (not the best limit but hey it was only a few days after discharge so I'll take the $4k limit) - they immediately added the new account to all 3 CB's with a 0 balance
@Lurker22

Yeah I got mine with a $4k limit almost 3 years ago while still making Ch 13 payments and every CLI request since discharge a year ago has been an instant denial.

Guess I gotta wait till my reports are clean later this year.

At least you got approved! Good for you!

I just found it strange that a check for PRE-qualification offers can also be "denied." Normally, wouldn't it be a simple "We have no offers available for you at this time" response? Now I am suspecting they are taking precaution to verify me, considering VPN and my physical location at this time.

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

Lurker22 — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 22:20:44 GMT

@TRC_WA wrote:
@Lurker22 wrote:
I pre qualified with them 32 days ago (only a few days after my 13 was discharged) and was shocked to see I was "pre approved" so I applied, they immediately hit TU, was instantly approved (not the best limit but hey it was only a few days after discharge so I'll take the $4k limit) - they immediately added the new account to all 3 CB's with a 0 balance
@Lurker22

Yeah I got mine with a $4k limit almost 3 years ago while still making Ch 13 payments and every CLI request since discharge a year ago has been an instant denial.

Guess I gotta wait till my reports are clean later this year.

Good to know, I won't even try for a CLI until I'm clear next year

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

bigseegar — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 12:59:27 GMT

@Absolution16 wrote:
@TRC_WA wrote:
@Lurker22 wrote:
I pre qualified with them 32 days ago (only a few days after my 13 was discharged) and was shocked to see I was "pre approved" so I applied, they immediately hit TU, was instantly approved (not the best limit but hey it was only a few days after discharge so I'll take the $4k limit) - they immediately added the new account to all 3 CB's with a 0 balance
@Lurker22

Yeah I got mine with a $4k limit almost 3 years ago while still making Ch 13 payments and every CLI request since discharge a year ago has been an instant denial.

Guess I gotta wait till my reports are clean later this year.
At least you got approved! Good for you!

I just found it strange that a check for PRE-qualification offers can also be "denied." Normally, wouldn't it be a simple "We have no offers available for you at this time" response? Now I am suspecting they are taking precaution to verify me, considering VPN and my physical location at this time.

Actually it happens a lot. Remember there is a big difference in "Pre-Qualification" and "Pre-Approved" as well.

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

Adkins — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 14:02:06 GMT

@CreditCuriosity wrote:
Out of country and VPN and big red flags for most credit card issuers. Likely fraud prevention

^This. I got the same type message when my VPN was on when I applied for mine. I ended up calling in and asking if they needed anything else to process my application. They just wanted to verify my identity. The letter that eventually came in the mail said the same thing.

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

hackersmovie — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 16:12:25 GMT

@Absolution16 wrote:
Most folks would get the dreaded 7-10 day notice from actually applying for a card, but mine is due to come after just checking to see if I pre-qualify.

I placed a 1-year fraud alert with Experian last June. Upon checking with Equifax, they told me they somehow did NOT have that alert on my file, strange as that sounds. I was able to check and remove the fraud alert online with TransUnion, while Experian's link to submit whatever documentation they want from me took me to a page where it insisted I MAIL them the documents. So fraud alert active only with Experian.

I also had security freeze on all 3 of my reports, but I was able to unfreeze them.

I am currently out of the country in Asia, soon to return. I was making changes to my Verizon account, including setting up Auto Pay, and thought the Verizon VISA might come in handy. I had to use VPN to access the Pre-Qualification Check webpage and to proceed.

My FICO8 scores are 775 EX, 760 EQ, and 778 TU. No inquiries for the last 18 months, 7 years AAoA, 20% utilization, and 1 ongoing vehicle loan scheduled to be paid off at the end of this year.

When I called Synchrony, they just told me to wait for the mail for the reason for "denial." It wasn't even an actual application; it was only a check for PRE-qualification.

I am glad I did not just straight up do the actual application. If I get a 7-10 day notice for a PRE-qualification check, I am surely going to get the same result, in addition to an actual HP inquiry placed on my reports.

What may be the reason(s) behind this? The fraud alert that I couldn't remove from Experian? The freeze should have been lifted as I got confirmation emails from the bureaus. Or maybe because I had to use a VPN connection? Which bureaus does Synchrony check for this card?

I've recently seen a similar "denial" from Synch. When I called it turns out I wasn't denied but, rather hit a "identity verification" issue. I did their goofy verification process: video of head shake and took a picture of my license and BOOM, approved!

YMMV.

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

Absolution16 — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 19:41:29 GMT

@Adkins wrote:

@CreditCuriosity wrote:

Out of country and VPN and big red flags for most credit card issuers. Likely fraud prevention

^This. I got the same type message when my VPN was on when I applied for mine. I ended up calling in and asking if they needed anything else to process my application. They just wanted to verify my identity. The letter that eventually came in the mail said the same thing.

In my case, I did call Synchrony and the lady just kept repeating that I was denied, even after mentioning the fraud alert amd the possibility of identity verification. At that point, all she had to say was "is there anything else I can do for you?"

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

Absolution16 — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 19:46:42 GMT

Was it due to VPN or did you have ongoing fraud alert?

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

Adkins — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 05:23:29 GMT

@Absolution16 wrote:
Was it due to VPN or did you have ongoing fraud alert?

The VPN. I don't have any fraud alerts on my CRAs right now.

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

FireMedic1 — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 11:04:43 GMT

@Adkins

Found this from @coldfusion few yrs back. Same situation:

"Some issuers try to geolocate your physical location when applying for credit as an anti-fraud measure. If it doesn't look like you're applying from or near your home address they either won't accept the application (BBVA as an exampled used to do this) or will deny it."

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

Absolution16 — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 11:19:39 GMT

I have since then tried the actual application, but that also resulted in "we will notify you of our decision by mail within 7 to 10 days" message. Even though I unfroze all 3 CRAs for this app, none of the CRAs are reporting a HP.

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

coldfusion — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 12:42:22 GMT

@FireMedic1 wrote:
@Adkins
Found this from @coldfusion few yrs back. Same situation:
"Some issuers try to geolocate your physical location when applying for credit as an anti-fraud measure. If it doesn't look like you're applying from or near your home address they either won't accept the application (BBVA as an exampled used to do this) or will deny it."

I did say that!

They generally don't try to be overly granular about i.e. if you went to your sibling's house 3 towns over and applied using their computer using their Xfinity connection it generally wouldn't be an issue. If you're traveling several states away, or if you use a VPN service like ExpressVPN or a work laptop that leverages a Netskope or ZScalar type service you risk having problems.

Re: Verizon VISA: 7-10 Day Notice from Pre-Qualification Check

Adkins — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 13:28:07 GMT

@FireMedic1 wrote:
@Adkins
Found this from @coldfusion few yrs back. Same situation:
"Some issuers try to geolocate your physical location when applying for credit as an anti-fraud measure. If it doesn't look like you're applying from or near your home address they either won't accept the application (BBVA as an exampled used to do this) or will deny it."

I normally turn it off if I'm applying for something but I had forgotten. 🤷