Frustrating Call with Bank of America Recon

[robertb507]

Yesterday I applied for the BofA123 Cash Rewards Visa Signature card and got the 30 day message. Of course, I immediately called the recon number and got a friendly rep. She said I was declined because she couldn't pull my Experian report which is frozen. I called back and got a rather condescending rep who agreed to pull Equifax, but said my credit history was far to short and rudely commented that I should have a longer credit history because of my age. I tried to explain to her that I closed many accounts in the 90's and positive accounts fall off after 10 years (correct me if I'm wrong). She then called my "credit-hungry" and "irresponsible". SMH! I have spent the last year rebuilding and now have a 730 EQ Fico. One Paid in Full CO from a card that was stolen by my ex-girlfriend. Should I call back? Any good recon strategies?

[B335is]

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@robertb507 wrote:

Yesterday I applied for the BofA123 Cash Rewards Visa Signature card and got the 30 day message. Of course, I immediately called the recon number and got a friendly rep. She said I was declined because she couldn't pull my Experian report which is frozen. I called back and got a rather condescending rep who agreed to pull Equifax, but said my credit history was far to short and rudely commented that I should have a longer credit history because of my age. I tried to explain to her that I closed many accounts in the 90's and positive accounts fall off after 10 years (correct me if I'm wrong). She then called my "credit-hungry" and "irresponsible". SMH! I have spent the last year rebuilding and now have a 730 EQ Fico. One Paid in Full CO from a card that was stolen by my ex-girlfriend. Should I call back? Any good recon strategies?

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How many accounts have you recently applied for?  I'm guessing a few if they called you credit-hungry.  BoA recon calls have always gone well for me.  I write down a few things before I call them:

  1)  What sticks out as a red flag on my report?  Inq/new accts in my case.

  2)  How can I justify that red flag?  One method that worked was "yes, I have a few new accts, but I am a savy consumer with excellent credit who wants to get the most for every dollar spent"

  3)  What I like about BoA and in particular the card I'm after? 

They will usually say something like "you were denied because of...."  That's when you jump in and confidently state your case.

[myjourney]

IMHO 

Ok so you had one rep that was having a great day then one who's mad because she had to work so right now your 50/50%

Break the tie call again 

[robertb507]

Thanks Guys! And Happy Thanksgiving! I used Lending Tree to get mortgage rate quotes and ended up with 19 inquiries on my EQ. Had no clue that would happen. That probably explains the credit hungry comment Anyways I have 5 new CC's within the last year and really want this one for the rewards. She didn't even bring up the Paid CO. Any idea how I should justify new accts and inquiries? Thanks for your help!

[Anonymous]

Certainly explain that many of the inqs were mortgage shopping (which should just count as one if you did them in a certain timeframe, but often don't).  It would be good if you had a specific purpose for each of the five new cards, but anyway just explain that you would really like to put (most of) your spending on the BoA card because.....

Just make sure they don't do another pull if you don't want them to.   

[robertb507]

Thanks Definitely going to call the recon number again tomorrow. Has anyone with a similar situation to mine gotten approved on recon with BofA? 

[B335is]

Robertb507, yes I was approved 2 separate times thru recon via the method I explained in my first response.

[robertb507]

Wasn't approved on recon four times  Darn. Both Chase and Bank of America have blacklisted me because of past charge offs. Has anyone gotten back in after blacklist with these issuers?

[FinStar]

Eventually some folks end up re-establishing their relationship with the lender they burned, while others remain on the infamouse blacklists for years.  It's one of those YEMV situations.  BOA, Citi, Chase and AMEX are some of the lenders who are known to blacklist, but also known to open the doors again.

[dallasjetfan]

Get a different CC.  I have been turned down by them many times because of BK 8 years ago.  I just got Chase and Citi so no need for them.  Actually no need for any of them.  Just playing the game.