Does a Fraud Alert impact the ability to get credit offers, pre approval, prequals?

[cambia46]

In March, I had to put a fraud alert on my reports after learning that someone was trying to get uneployment in my name.  Now, I'm wondering if that is impeding my ability to get credit card offers, prequals/approvals.

At the end of last year, after 5yrs of gardening, I was able purchase another home (Still own my other home, which I rent out).  In addition to the home, I got a new car (not in the plans, but my engine blew in December),  opened a Fortiva credit account to for the home security system (reports as a credit card), financed a home water filtering system (live in the boonies, well water) and got a $10K personal loan for some home improvements (home was sold as is).  I also figured I could benefit from at least one more credit card, because the only one I've had since 2016 is a $2K secured card, which I only use so often to maintain the credit mix (I hate using credit cards).  So, I began to test the waters and soft pull Amex, Discover, Citi, etc.  Results always came back with several pre-quals/approvals, but I wanted to age the new accounts a bit before applying.   In May I applied for Discover.  I called first to ask if the fraud alert would impact my approval. The rep said no and led me to believe that my chance of approval was great and took my application over the phone.  DENIED due to RECENTLY OPENED BANK REVOLVING TRADES, which in all fairness, was valid.  So I went back to the garden.  

Now, 3 months later, I've started my seach for again and am getting no love on pre-quals/approval.  I mean NOTHING.  Every site says there are no offers for me, which leaves me dumdfounded.  My credit scores are much better (778, 780, 763), DTI around 31%, payment history exceptional, utilization at 2% and a good credit mix.   While I do have several new accounts opened since November, I've not had any inquiries in months.  I even paid off the Fortiva in 5 months, which acatually dropped my score a bit and makes me reluctant to pay off Affirm loan, even though i have the money to do so...damned if I do, damned if I don't.    

So, I can't help but wonder if  the fraud alert is affecting my ability to get credit pre-quals/pre-approvals.  Please share your opinions, knowledge, advice.  Thanks!

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Personal-Finance/Tested-CRA-Fraud-Alerts-CAN-impact-pre-quals-appro...

[TattnallTrio]

Congratulations on the new home! I have a fraud alert on my credit file (I renew it annually) and I often check for soft pull pre-approvals. I get pre-approvals from CapOne (Credit Cards and Auto), FNBO Credit Card, Apple, Lowe's. I don't from Discover and Amex because I've burned them. The only place that absolutely won't give me a preapproval because of my fraud alert is Carvana. 

[FalconSteve]

I've always been told the fraud alert doesn't hurt your chances, but I've always found that to be a lie. I had mine removed after awhile and I got way more credit, so ot has downsides. I think real people say no more often than computers.

[cambia46]

I agree, particulary now that I've been turned down for a loan with Prosper and they specifically said it was becuase they couldn't identify my identity.   So, when I called to remove the alert, when the Transunion rep asked why and I told him what happened he said that does happen sometimes with fraud alerts.  ll be posting some info of this whole experience the forum in a bit. 

[cambia46]

Thank you so much for the congrats and the info. I love being able to talk with people and collectively try to and figure out how all of this stuff works.  Maybe it impacts some credit card/loan applications and some it doesn't.  Like,  I was approved for a Chase card after posting my rant about fraud alerts, even though I hadn't applied for anything with them.  I just happend to have a "you are already approved" offer n my Chase account (they service my mortgage) and took a chance.   However, was denied for a pre-approved Prosper loan after that and their reason was because they could not verify my identity even though they pulled my TU report.  When I call Prosper to ask what info they couldn't verify, the rep said she didn't have access to that info, but that since they couldn't verify my identitfy the tradeline will be deleted from my report, which remains to be seen).   Today I called the CRAs to remove the fraud alerts and mentioned the denial to the TU rep and he said this does happens sometimes with fraud alerts.  So, I guess it's a toss up.  By the way, I did try Apple and was approved for $8000.  They pulled TU, which now makes 2 hard inquiries on my report, so I hope it's true that the other will fall off.  I hadn't tried Cap 1 because I included them in a bankrupcy many moos ago and am afraid that they may have a short memory. 

[AverageJoesCredit]

In some cases yes. I have a feeling WF purposely does not continue my apps when they see one. Last two times i apped it was like they ghosted me even after last app i told them i lifted my freeze.