Kohls Denial - Insufficient Credit History Using Clarity ?? OFAC? just werid

[professorr]

So I applied for Kohls  2 weeks ago, got denied and that was strange, at the very least I should have gotten $250 CL (expected $1K).  Scores in the mid 600's but I've had several new accounts past 2 years.  Anyway, i got the DENIAL  letter and it stated:

Insufficient credit history:

Number of no open accounts

YOu have had a nontraditional inquiry at clarity too soon

Lack of sufficient relevant account information

You have credit information reported at clarity

Scor 496

So I got my Clarity report (never heard of it before ) It shows NO accounts but all my softpulls from Credit Karma, Discover  for the scores checks.  Show smy address, phone,DOB, 

 But under VALIDATION shows

: SS Prerandomization Valid.....true.....OFAC  Score ...30

: SS Deceased...........................false....OFAC Flag........False

Something doesn't add up.  And I might add that I used my email when applying.  But then I recall years ago when trying to log into online kohls it wouldn't take my email, they said the email was attached to somebody else and in a different state.  Odd because I've owned this email for 30 years.

What the hell is Clarity?  What is OFAC score?  Calls Kohl's number on the letter but they gave canned response call Clarity.  Guess Kohls doesn't have underwriting?

[Mdowning30]

You shouldn't get a kohls card with your situation, sounds like you need to get a secured card before anything else, especially store cards that wont be worth anything in the long run.

Try Capital One or Discover.

[cashorcharge]

Experian’s Clarity Services specializes in alternative financial services data and solutions. Clarity’s suite of FCRA-regulated reports and scores give lenders visibility into critical subprime consumer information, including the thin-file and no-file consumer segments. Clarity is dedicated to making alternative financing services more accessible, trusted and effective for the clients and consumers it serves.

[bigseegar]

---

@Mdowning30 wrote:

You shouldn't get a kohls card with your situation, sounds like you need to get a secured card before anything else, especially store cards that wont be worth anything in the long run.

Try Capital One or Discover.

---

With all respect and I know you only started here a couple months ago and certainly mean well as we all do and again no disrespect but that's terrible advice to say a store card isn't worth anything. How can you say a Lowe's card with a easy to obtain $35K CL, a Home Dept card w/$10K CL both of which also offer 6-24 months special financing at 0% APR all the time, Best Buy w/$10K limit, etc,  isn't "worth anything". Some are absolutely worth a lot both credit wise and use wise.

[TRC_WA]

---

@bigseegar wrote:

---

@Mdowning30 wrote:

You shouldn't get a kohls card with your situation, sounds like you need to get a secured card before anything else, especially store cards that wont be worth anything in the long run.

Try Capital One or Discover.

---

With all respect and I know you only started here a couple months ago and certainly mean well as we all do and again no disrespect but that's terrible advice to say a store card isn't worth anything. How can you say a Lowe's card with a easy to obtain $35K CL, a Home Dept card w/$10K CL both of which also offer 6-24 months special financing at 0% APR all the time, Best Buy w/$10K limit, etc,  isn't "worth anything". Some are absolutely worth a lot both credit wise and use wise.

---

I think what he's talking about is the long term viability of "most" store cards and I actually feel the same way.  Most have "toy limits" and don't go much beyond that.  Obviously there's exceptions to the rule.  I have a Kohl's card and it's my only store card... it had a $400 SL and they gave me a CLI to $700 a month or so ago.    At this point it's just a boost to the credit profile because I have better cards with better limits and better perks.

I don't have any plans at the moment to get any more store cards because quite honestly I don't see a need.  Anything I can buy with a Best Buy card I can buy with my Amex or Visa so why take the hit with the new account?

YMMV obviously.   I had a $7500 Best Buy card quite a few years ago... but they've since trashed the rewards program and I don't much care if I get another one.

[SoCalGardener]

---

@bigseegar wrote:

---

@Mdowning30 wrote:

You shouldn't get a kohls card with your situation, sounds like you need to get a secured card before anything else, especially store cards that wont be worth anything in the long run.

Try Capital One or Discover.

---

With all respect and I know you only started here a couple months ago and certainly mean well as we all do and again no disrespect but that's terrible advice to say a store card isn't worth anything. How can you say a Lowe's card with a easy to obtain $35K CL, a Home Dept card w/$10K CL both of which also offer 6-24 months special financing at 0% APR all the time, Best Buy w/$10K limit, etc,  isn't "worth anything". Some are absolutely worth a lot both credit wise and use wise.

---

Definitely! I can get any card I want, but I keep my Amazon Prime Store Card because of its 5% cash back on all purchases. There's no AF, no jumping through hoops to earn the 5% CB, easy as pie to redeem the CB, and as a heavy Amazon shopper it just makes sense for me. Some store cards do have a place, whether you're rebuilding or have great credit.

[TRC_WA]

---

@SoCalGardener wrote:

---

Some store cards do have a place, whether you're rebuilding or have great credit.

---

To add on to my previous post... this is pretty much it.

I'm not a store card hater by any means... I do think some have a place... but most don't once you have a solid lineup of cards.

[Anonymous]

---

@TRC_WA wrote:

---

@SoCalGardener wrote:

---

Some store cards do have a place, whether you're rebuilding or have great credit.

---

To add on to my previous post... this is pretty much it.

I'm not a store card hater by any means... I do think some have a place... but most don't once you have a solid lineup of cards.

---

I am ruing that I applied for Amazon and BB store cards, I'd rather have proper versions, but no option for BB, can't choose.

[AverageJoesCredit]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

---

@TRC_WA wrote:

---

@SoCalGardener wrote:

---

Some store cards do have a place, whether you're rebuilding or have great credit.

---

To add on to my previous post... this is pretty much it.

I'm not a store card hater by any means... I do think some have a place... but most don't once you have a solid lineup of cards.

---

I am ruing that I applied for Amazon and BB store cards, I'd rather have proper versions, but no option for BB, can't choose.

---

Weird as most times Best Buy does give  the option to pick the store card or Visa. Not everyone picks the Visa either

[professorr]

I applied for the Kohls Card just to get the sale discounts and such. (like when they offer 20% off with coupon but 35% off with ur kohls charge) . My credit file is thick enough and I have many open credit cards and lines. Not the best score but perfect payment history for the past 6 years. The Kohls denial I'm wondering if my file got crossed with something else? I never even heard of clarity until this. Now that I think about it I do have a Lock on my Experian report but I still got an experian hard pull.