Can I lock one bureau and make them use a different one?

[Anonymous]

For example can I lock Equifax to make them use Experian?

[Anonymous]

You can security freeze whomever you want.  Up to the lender's policy how they handle it.  Some will make you unfreeze the bureau they want, some will automatically just pull a different one, etc.

But this is considered unethical as I learned earlier on another post as it affects the integrity of the credit reporting system.  I kind of agree as if this became common practice, more lenders would start pulling all 3 bureaus (capital one) which wouldn't be good for anyone but the credit bureaus.

[Anonymous]

interesting as how the vast majority of my inquiries have been on one credti bureau.

Only Ford pulled two bureaus

so why bother having 3 bureaus if they're only pulling one specifically

[Brusilov]

Freezes still let soft pulls go through, right?

Are there any circumstances where a lender can still hard pull even with the freeze in place?

Only ask because let's say you want soft pulls to be able to go through for auto-CLI's, or want protection against reps that don't know the difference between soft/hard...etc.

[mxp114]

No HP during freeze. SP, promotional offers like preapprovals, etc are still permitted unless you opt-out. I keep all three frozen to avoid surprise HPs.

[Anonymous]

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@mxp114 wrote:

No HP during freeze. SP, promotional offers like preapprovals, etc are still permitted unless you opt-out. I keep all three frozen to avoid surprise HPs.

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You are wise mxp114

[MarineVietVet]

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@Anonymous wrote:

For example can I lock Equifax to make them use Experian?

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This isn't the intended or original purpose of credit freezes. By freezing one CRA so that another is possibly pulled is gaming the system in an attempt to avoid a legitmate inquiry.

The same principle applies to trying to have a particular CRA pulled because it's your highest score. This is not the purpose of a credit freeze.

[Anonymous]

I just hate seeing all the inquiries under one CRA. It artificially creates a lower score. I would prefer they show on all CRA lines quite frankly.

It's really not my problem. They play games with it all.

And they're supposed to say the same things (mine do)

[Brusilov]

In case you're not familiar with the site...the Credit Pulls Database can give you a good (although not a guarantee by any means) idea of which creditors pull which report. It sometimes depends upon what region of the country you're living in as well.

Mod Cut. That site is not allowed to be linked to. It advocates and promotes credit repair tactics that violate the forum's User Guidelines, Terms of Service & Credit Repair Discussion Guidelines.

I also remind everyone to read this stickied thread by Lel talking about Proper Use of PM's in case anyone thinks of sending prohibited information via PM.

MarineVietVet, myFICO moderator

[AF_23]

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@Anonymous wrote:
I just hate seeing all the inquiries under one CRA. It artificially creates a lower score. I would prefer they show on all CRA lines quite frankly.

It's really not my problem. They play games with it all.

And they're supposed to say the same things (mine do)

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Case by case difference. CITI absolutely will not approve you,  unless they get their report of choice which is EQ for me. Chase i believe too be similar. Capital One didnt seem to care but i was a customer already so they could have possibly softed.