Getting hard inquiries removed - any luck?

[learningtheropesofcredit]

I applied for a few credit cards last month, and even though my FICO scores are in the mid 700s, my DTI is low, and I only have one credit card and it is PIF every month (so reports as zero balance) with no lates, I was told:

"Thank you for your loan application. We are unable to approve your loan request at this time. If you have additional information not provided on the initial application and would like the decision reconsidered, please contact us directly.  You will receive a letter within 30 days outlining the reason(s) for our decision."

A few weeks later I received a letter stating my loan application couldn't be processed, because it was imcomplete.  So, I tried again and got the same result. This time I contacted them and was told:

"This application is incomplete. A new application will need to be submitted, we are unable to continue with the app."

So, I tried again.  A third time.  I got the same results.  

I emailed again and got the same response: "This application is incomplete. A new application will need to be submitted, we are unable to continue with the app."

I was pissed.

Meanwhile, two other banks denied me.  Same reason.

That's five hard inquiries and the applications can't even be processed.

I called each bank and asked why this was a problem, what was happening, etc.  AmEx told me, "Well, we are pulling from Experian and your Experian account has a fraud alert and says we must call you to verify your phone number, but there is no phone numbrer listed. We have to automatically deny the application."

I was pissed. I asked if I added it, could they just run soft pulls and approve me on the application already submitted. I was told no. I called Experian, got the number added (after faxing them some stuff), and re-applied to the latter two, who both did a second pull (so, seven total now on Experian) and both approved me. I didn't bother with the first bank. After three applications and three hard pulls, and me contacting them each time to ask what was up and only being told, "This application is incomplete. A new application will need to be submitted, we are unable to continue with the app," I was pissed and frustrated and gave up on them.

TL;DR: I got seven hard inquiries on my Experian account for only three cards I applied for (approved for 2), due to user error and Experian not having my phone # on my fraud alert (though TransUnion and Equifax did, so not sure why Experian didn't).  

QUESTION: Has anyone had any luck explaining this situation to banks and having them remove the hard inquiry(ies) for the faulty/no number inquiry(ies) where they couldn't process the application and automatically denied it? I'd love to get the first three removed, for the bank I didn't even app again when I figured out the problem, and for the two cards I did get, the first hard inquiries that were denied due to no number on my fraud alert. It would take me from seven hard inquiries down to two.  It would be nice.

Is this even possible?

[Anonymous]

Sorry for your experiences but unfortunately you cannot remove a HP, especailly valid ones from you seeking Credit. If it were simply a double pull by mistake possibly could get the second removed as i did. In your case you initiated the HP's one after another like a stubborn bull rather then trying to figure out the issue preventing advancement of the application. Instead of continuing to reapply you should have called first thing to find out the exact reason you were getting denied.

So in this instance I don't expect any of the banks to reverse/recode the HP.

[blindambition]

I'm confused! If it came out incomplete the first time, I would have contacted them, and asked how it was incomplete, resubmit, or delete app. Why would you do three times?

They had permissible purpose when you submitted each app. They are legitimate HP, so they stay for 24 months. Don't dispute them!! They'll be validated.

You can call company directly, and explain how you did three apps. They may recode, but aren't required to do so.

[learningtheropesofcredit]

@Anonymous is right, @blindambition  - I was like a stubborn bull. I just *assumed* I forgot to fill something out, so I went at it again. Then the third time I was like, "what? I filled it out perfectly. Fine, if I have to try again... fine..." and I did. Then, and only then, did I come to my senses and wake up. A learning process. An expensive, naive one, sure, but a learning process. Oh well, 24 months it is. Sucks, but I made the bed and will lay in it.

Sucks that the two cards I did get, I had to apply twice for. But, again, learning the ropes of credit. A shameful, embarrassing learning curve. At least Experian has my number on file now.

[coldfusion]

You shouldn't view these as being either embarrassing or shamful.  Most members here have made mistakes along the way and what is most important here is that you learned something moving forward. 

This is also a mistake that time will rectify - the inquiries will be non-scorable after a year and no longer reported after 2 years. 

One thing you can try is to send a letter to each of the issuers requesting that they withdraw a hard pull as a goodwill gesture.  Odds of success are slim but the attempt will only cost you the time it takes to write the letter and of the postage stamp. 

[Anonymous]

@learningtheropesofcredit Yes its important to be aware of the consequences of a fraud alert when you place one on your credit report. The whole point of that fraud alert is the procedure you described. Otherwise it would be useless. It worked exactly as intended. A creditor will not extend credit unless they verify that it’s you by phone.

What does surprise me is that Experian allowed you to place a fraud alert without having your telephone number. I am just spitballing here, but it appears this is Experian’s fault for allowing you to place the fraud alert without a phone number. Maybe you can talk to an Experian supervisor.

I don’t know if the bank necessarily has a duty to advise you of the consequences of your action in placing a fraud alert, as they expect you understood what you were doing, plus that would alert a criminal as to what they needed to do to complete the process of defrauding you.

I doubt the banks will recode, but you can try. I think I would complain to Experian for allowing the fraud alert without a telephone number on the profile.

[Meanmchine]

IMHO, get rid of your fraud alerts ( all three bureaus ) and go with report freezing instead.

Good luck

[rostrow416]

Had the same issue.  Extended fraud alerts on Equifax and Experian but no phone numbers.  I got Comenity to removed HPs from CLI attempts by writing to them directly.  You could try the same.  And remove those alerts.  It's really not worth it, especially with the ability to freeze/unfreeze reports and regular monitoring.

[Anonymous]

Also, if you don't have one (or more) already, sign up for some sort of CMS (credit monitoring service). They generally notify you soon after an app is made that a HP was done, some are slower than others, but for the most part I have been notified within an hour or so (usually within minutes most times), but that may not always be the case. The CMS may cover 1, 2, or all 3 bureaus, so whatever bureau scores they provide will be the same you will get notifications from for the HPs.

That way you at least know your credit was pulled and that should be a hard stop for you to find out what is going on instead of resubmitting an app.

Sorry about all the HPs and good luck in the future!

[Anonymous]

You can try your luck and talk to their credit customer service section. I've been able to get three HP turned in SP that way.