@sunshine7157 wrote:I have my files frozen at all 3 CB's. When I requested them to be frozen, it was indicated that there are 'exceptions' to the freeze(s) such as the report will not be frozen to credit companies that I currently do business with (AMEX, for example). Does this then mean that when I am ready to apply for another AMEX (or request a cli on a current one) that I will not have to 'unfreeze' my report in order for AMEX to pull my credit? Odd question, I know. Anybody familiar with this?
No, any time your files are frozen you can not create HP's for new credit without lifting it.
@sunshine7157 wrote:I have my files frozen at all 3 CB's. When I requested them to be frozen, it was indicated that there are 'exceptions' to the freeze(s) such as the report will not be frozen to credit companies that I currently do business with (AMEX, for example). Does this then mean that when I am ready to apply for another AMEX (or request a cli on a current one) that I will not have to 'unfreeze' my report in order for AMEX to pull my credit? Odd question, I know. Anybody familiar with this?
The credit freeze really only prevents potential creditors from doing a HP, because the intention behind it is to prevent fraud, identity theft, etc. Many people here also use it to help prevent apping, since you have to take the extra step and cost of removing the freeze temporarily for the application.
Any current or previous creditors can still SP your reports, including collection agencies. However, I believe they can't do a HP, even if they are a current creditor.
For Amex, if you have an acct. and apply for a new CC, it's a soft pull unless you're approved, and then they re-code it to hard. So, you *should* be able to app for Amex without lifting the freeze. But I believe it depends on *how* you app. You would need to be logged into your acct when you app. If you app online and aren't logged it, I think it doesn't realize you're a current customer or something, and will do a HP regardless of whether or not you're approved. (Of course, then you'd also need to lift your freeze.)
YMMV, but that's the general consensus I've read here. 
ETA: I don't quite understand why, but the CRAs told me that a freeze would NOT prevent a CA from putting a HP on my CR. It doesn't really make sense to me, because a CC can't do a HP for an app. I think it has to do with *how* the pull is coded; and the way the law is written, CAs can do HPs even with frozen reports. (At least, there's no guarantee it wouldn't happen.)
@pizzadude wrote:
One thing to be aware of regarding freezes is that CAs can still pull your report even if it has been frozen.
+1
@bichonmom wrote:
@sunshine7157 wrote:I have my files frozen at all 3 CB's. When I requested them to be frozen, it was indicated that there are 'exceptions' to the freeze(s) such as the report will not be frozen to credit companies that I currently do business with (AMEX, for example). Does this then mean that when I am ready to apply for another AMEX (or request a cli on a current one) that I will not have to 'unfreeze' my report in order for AMEX to pull my credit? Odd question, I know. Anybody familiar with this?
The credit freeze really only prevents potential creditors from doing a HP, because the intention behind it is to prevent fraud, identity theft, etc. Many people here also use it to help prevent apping, since you have to take the extra step and cost of removing the freeze temporarily for the application.
Any current or previous creditors can still SP your reports, including collection agencies. However, I believe they can't do a HP, even if they are a current creditor.
For Amex, if you have an acct. and apply for a new CC, it's a soft pull unless you're approved, and then they re-code it to hard. So, you *should* be able to app for Amex without lifting the freeze. But I believe it depends on *how* you app. You would need to be logged into your acct when you app. If you app online and aren't logged it, I think it doesn't realize you're a current customer or something, and will do a HP regardless of whether or not you're approved. (Of course, then you'd also need to lift your freeze.)
YMMV, but that's the general consensus I've read here.
ETA: I don't quite understand why, but the CRAs told me that a freeze would NOT prevent a CA from putting a HP on my CR. It doesn't really make sense to me, because a CC can't do a HP for an app. I think it has to do with *how* the pull is coded; and the way the law is written, CAs can do HPs even with frozen reports. (At least, there's no guarantee it wouldn't happen.)
This is true unfortunately. CAs can do a Hard Pull on your frozen reports.
