How do CCC find out if your pre-qualified without your SSN ?

[Kartel34]

I noticed that some CCC ask for your SSN and others don't.  Are they only checking internally to see if you have or had an account with them ? That maybe the reason why they only ask for the basic info(NAME an address).

[Anonymous]

I assume you are talking about "promotional offers" you get in the mail. 

These companies pay the CRA's for lists that match a certain criteria and a PRM- soft inquiry should/can be found on your reports directly from the CRA's.

I have NEVER filled out an application that did not require my SSN.

In all reality a creditor only needs PP:

Name and address

Name and DOB

and possibly a few other combinations to pull your report.

You also need to realize that "pre-qualified" is not a sure thing.

Many companies have stated "You are pre-qualified to APPLY" not Pre-qualified to be approves"  

[MattH]

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Timothy wrote:...

You also need to realize that "pre-qualified" is not a sure thing.

Many companies have stated "You are pre-qualified to APPLY" not Pre-qualified to be approves"

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In recent years I have noticed a change in the fine print on such offers that come in my mail (since my lowest FICO score is 786, I get a LOT of offers). They used to say something like "credit limit UP TO $25K" in the big print and the small print said "this IS a definite offer of credit, if you don't qualify for our Platinum Card you will be issued a Classic Card with a limit of $500." Now the fine print usually indicates one might not get a card at all, not even their "Classic" card with a low limit.

[haulingthescoreup]

To answer your thread title, they buy lists from the credit bureaus of people who fit broad criteria, like EX > 660, no BK's, no lates within 12 months. (I'm completely making those up, but you get the picture.) The CRA's supply names and addresses, and out go the mailings.

That's why so many people get denied when they bite on the offer: the initial set of criteria isn't tight enough, and they get kicked out for stuff that isn't asked out when they buy their lists.

[Kartel34]

Sorry for taking so long in replying back, thanks for the comments. It does make a lot of sense. I always thought it was pretty funny that I get a mailer from AMX or some other CC. Then get denied when I apply.

Now I know the stay away. Or check my CR before I apply for anything.

[treschic]

i have a different spin on this, what about capital one pre-qualification on their website?  they don't ask for your ssn. while hsbc, amex, and boa do. 

[Anonymous]

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angiepharm wrote:

i have a different spin on this, what about capital one pre-qualification on their website?  they don't ask for your ssn. while hsbc, amex, and boa do. 

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SSN is not required to pull a credit report.  Name and address are all that are necessary.

[Anonymous]

For example... BillMeLater. They do a hard inq and actually issue credit with only name, address, dob.