So I've had 2 Chase CC's for a little while now, the Freedom & Freedom Unlimited, and both started with really low limits, because my situation was a mess back when I applied for them(the FU started at $600 & the Freedom at $1k). I've been mulling trying for CLI's on them or getting a new Chase card, because I can't stand seeing these low limits on these cards when I have mid teens to 20k+ on all my other cards, so I called Chase tonight to try & get some info on which bureaus they pull, etc. I had already checked the pulls database & the info was all over the place with regards to bureaus for cli's & new cards, so I assumed it would be random on who they pulled, but wanted to call to verify.
Anyways, the rep told me it would be random who they pull, but for some reason they would only look at the Equifax report for me(which is frozen due to recent circumstances), even if they pulled multiple bureaus. I didn't understand this so I asked to speak to one of the special account people who seemingly know more than the frontline reps, and they pretty much told me the same thing, that they would only look at an Equifax report, irregardless of whether they pulled EQ+whoever(if they pulled multiple bureaus). The specialist also told me that they cannot change which bureau they actually get the report from & look at it. It has to be Equifax according to 2 people that I talked to tonight. Every other CC company I deal with can change which bureau they pull & look at if one of them is frozen. Am I just pampered by other companies, or is Chase's system just arse backwards in my opinion? I don't understand why Chase is requiring hardpulls from a bureau that is obviously having huge issues right now, and who is suggesting that everyone freeze their reports?
I'm not unfreezing my EQ right now for an attempt at a CLI or new card. I guess I don't get why their system is requiring a report from just 1 company, and they apparently are unable to change that, even though they possibly would have more than 1 report to look at for decisions.
Also, when I called he first time, the specialist rep asked if the call was about a card I don't even have or have never applied for, which started getting me worried. He then took some info & hung up(I'm assuming it was by accident?). So I called back, and after telling the 2nd specialist about this, she said he was probably just looking at the wrong account by accident. I'm not sure how you accidentally look at a wrong account after giving your info to the rep. But anyways, she said I didn't have this other card that the first rep was talking about, lol.
Anyways, guess I'm just venting a little. I think it's a little un-21st-centurylike to require a report from a bureau that is having major issues right now, in order to process a CLI or new card request.
May be I'm just pampered by my other CC companies who can pick & choose who they hardpull for credit decisions? What do you guys think?
It's safe to say my 2 low limit Chase CC's will be sitting in the underwear drawer for eternity, and I won't be applying for any more Chase cards anytime soon(not because I'm mad, I just don't want to deal with EQ right now).
Thanks for reading 
Here in California, Chase seems to pull only EX, nothing else.
However, Chase also has an internal risk score that they apply in deciding whether or not to approve an credit card application. So your FICO score is only part of the equation. Chase values a banking relationship beyond credit cards, which sometimes helps with card approvals. Of course, YMMV!
Why can't you unfreeze it so they can pull and then freeze it back? Equifax is offering the freeze for free as well as fraud monitoring. What do you have to lose? Safer bet instead of requesting CLIs is to get another card and move limits around.
Irish80, I didnt freeze EQ in order to force anything. I froze it because of the problems with EQ. In fact, I didnt know Chase apparently only accepts EQ until after the fact.
Gmood, the free freeze/unfreeze hasnt worked for me yet. I'm still waiting on them to get back to me with info on getting setup with their monitoring.
Gmood, the free freeze/unfreeze hasnt worked for me yet. I'm still waiting on them to get back to me with info on getting setup with their monitoring.
@HeavenOhio wrote:You need to freeze all three bureaus if you're concerned about the information obtained in the breach. As an alternative, fraud alerts on the three bureaus might be sufficient.
Did you ask Chase if the freeze would prevent them from accessing your report for CLI purposes? The way I understand it, existing lenders continue to have access whether a report is frozen or not. The objective is to keep new accounts from being opened.
I don't know, I was under the same impression. I'll have to ask next time I call them.