Disputing INQ for CLI

[Happychap]

Hi

I have been attempting to improve my scores for the last few months by regularly requesting CLI on my accounts. However, today i pulled my report and note that CITI have been hard pulling my report for each request - including retail cards serviced by them. That has led to a high number of INQ on my file.  It never mentions on the online credit increase screen that a hard pull would be made. In fact it doesn’t mention anything about pulling a report but i did presume a soft pull would be made. 

Now, has anyone had success in removing INQ for CLI when you weren’t made aware of hardpulls and therefore, did not authorize ?  I have dispute it on my EQ report today and i have also sent a letter to CITI to see if they would remove. I’m guessing the dispute i lodged with EQ will just get denied as that’s been my experience in the past with INQ disputes. However, im hoping going directly to CITI will be  positive 

[Anonymous]

Honestly, you're probably out of luck. They usually have some clause written somewhere that states they can review your credit for any credit line increase requests. Plus since you're already banking with them, I'm pretty sure they can argue it's a permissable reason.

I ended up with some unwanted extra inquiries from Kohls and GEMB when they were processing some applications for me (ultimately denied after taking several credit hits, with some BS excuses from them), but from what I read inquiries are hard to remove from your report. Since they were run for a legitimate reason (for a customer-initiated CLI request), when the CRA contacts the creditor (Citi) to verify it, they'll verify that it's a legitimate request, and then it sticks.

The only time I've read of anyone being able to remove inquiries is with utility companies that didn't have a record of even running the inquiries in the first place. But a CLI request is a valid reason for them to do it, unfortunately.

It's not going to hurt to try to get them to remove it, but since it'll only hurt on your report for a year, you might be better off being patient and waiting for them to drop off. Citi might be willing to work with you and remove the inquiries if EQ contacts them to verify. But there's really no guarantees.

[llecs]

I wouldn't dispute. Look for a fraud alert if you had already disputed it. IMO, there's nothing wrong with asking Citi, but inquiry damage is overrated anyway (speaking on the viewpoint of once having 30+ on any given report at one point). Inquiries only impact your FICO score for one year anyway.

Always assume that there will be a hard inquiry if you ask for a CLI. Even if done by phone and the CSR says "no inquiry", they are often wrong. Of course, look in here and see others' experience.

I clicked on the CLI button for DW a moment ago and got this, "By submitting this form you authorize Citibank, N.A. to check your credit history. " It would be safe to assume that it is a hard inquiry. Seems like some had a soft inquiry if there's a different style form, but I'm too chicken to ask for any CLIs right now. BTW, a CLI by iteself will not improve your FICO scores, though if you are carrying balances then you could have a drop in util.

[Happychap]

 Thanks for the response! yeah i was kinda anticipating some BS reply about how 'its in the clause'.  Which is fine, but i always interpreted that as soft pulls and further hard pulls would require consent.   The thing is i have laid of new applications for over a year as i wanted to get car finance, so have been building up my score. I was only alerted to view my EQ following a denial to my CLI for the reason of ' number of INQ' when i checked (as i only watch my EX report) i was astonished to see 23 inq in the last two years 19 of which were from the CITI group for CLI   i doubt I’d get credit for 50 cents with that amount of INQ lol ..but the truth is i only actually applied for new accounts 3 times in the last two years.  So getting them to remove their inq will greatly improve my score, as at the moment my EQ score is 150 points less than my EX! i have no baddies just high INQ on EQ  

[Karatz]

I also noticed a change in Citi's luv button which certainly appears to lead to a hard pull after submitting income info...so I just closed the screen.

[clocktick]

It sounds like you're requesting a CLI from Citi once a month?  I'd say hold off and maybe every 6 months or so, try one.  Do you carry balances?  What cards/limits do you have?  There are other ways to improve your scores that we can help you with.  As stated above, the inquiries only count against your FICO for one year, however, they stay on your CR for two.  I think your "interpretation" wasn't correct in assuming they are soft pulls.  I would, from here on in, assume they are hard.  Is there a particular reason you're trying to raise your score at this moment?

Also, your EX and EQ may never have the same scores and that's not uncommon (this goes for TU as well).  What else on your reports is dragging your score down?

[Happychap]

Yes, well I have three cards issued or managed by CITI so was requesting CLI about once every two months.   I wasn't aware they were hardpulling my file until I got declined for an increase for' excessive inquires' on EQ.   It surprised me since I have not applied for anything for a while.  My score was low around low 600's due to high balances on accounts to avail credit.  This was because last year or so all the banks slashed my limits or closed accounts making it look like I went to my limits which I did not. Anyway, since then I have been trying to get back my available limits and also paid off a number of cards. My score for EX is in the the mid 700s but EQ is only in the high 500's !! I take it its that low because of all those INQ from CITI.  I have no baddies, all paid on time etc. My only pitfall was the INQ. My debt ratio is 36% debt. 
I was  wanting to apply for BMW financial in a couple of months for a new car. I know they pull EQ . I guess im out of luck now with that unless CITI delete their INQ.    

[android01]

I think the point to remember is that whether it is a soft or hard pull, if you are an existing customer, the lender has permissable purpose to pull your report at any time.   I think this applies even if you have a freeze with the CRAs. 

[Anonymous]

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@android01 wrote:

I think the point to remember is that whether it is a soft or hard pull, if you are an existing customer, the lender has permissable purpose to pull your report at any time.   I think this applies even if you have a freeze with the CRAs. 

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This has been my understanding too. Most creditors will just do soft pulls to check in on your credit profile once in a while (to see if you're suddenly turned into a liability or if you might be eligible for a CLI), but I think they're automatically allowed to do a hard pull for any customer-initiated CLI requests. Automatic CLIs, on the other hand, are likely to just come from payment history and/or soft pulls.