Question, Question all my Experts

[tendertan]

Okay, I think its time to make some moves.  I want to work with what I got and get CLI on my existing cards.  My question is "Is it a hardpull if i do a request online, or a soft pull"?  I have several Commenity bank cards and pretty much been scared to call in and ask for an increase because I don't want a hard pull.  When I attempt to hit the LUV button the screen just comes back up the same.  Walmart gave me an auto CLI 500.00, I consider asking for more but I want to have knowledge first if its a hardpuull or Soft. I'm due an increase with Capital One this month but I was going let them suprise me first.  Want to do a PC change on my Dillards card if possible to Amex.  Have a Lowes, Jcpenny,  card since December,   Any advise known please share.  Thanks in advance!

[RobertEG]

The key to ability to code as a so-called hard pull is whether or not it is a "conumer initiated request for credit," which is the basis for a permissible purpose for another to receive your credit report.

That is not to say that it will be coded as hard, but only that they have the right to do so without any express authorization of the consumer.

Theri customer service reps may promise it will be soft, but they often dont have any idea of the distincition, and many consumers are surprised when they are told it will be soft, and it then appears in their general credit report that is availble to others, and thus is included in their scoring.  TSince there is authority under the FCRA to code as hard based on the permissible purpose, that can set off a major conflict with the criditor when the consumer complains.

However, if a credtor does their own internal review and grants a CLI without consumer initiation, it will be coded as soft.

[tendertan]

Well I called and was chatting with a representative and I discovered that I have a freeze of some sort,  on my reports!  I just ordered all MYFico 3CB's reports and I had to call and get my equifax report. I wasn't aware that I had a freeze on my reports not even when they finally let me get my reports.  So I guess I'll have to wait until Monday to straighten this out.  The rep stated thats why I wasn't getting any CLI's Wow!  I'm wasting valuable time.  I could've been got my Limits up a long time ago. 

[gdale6]

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@tendertan wrote:

Well I called and was chatting with a representative and I discovered that I have a freeze of some sort,  on my reports!  I just ordered all MYFico 3CB's reports and I had to call and get my equifax report. I wasn't aware that I had a freeze on my reports not even when they finally let me get my reports.  So I guess I'll have to wait until Monday to straighten this out.  The rep stated thats why I wasn't getting any CLI's Wow!  I'm wasting valuable time.  I could've been got my Limits up a long time ago. 

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Im not sure I buy this explanation, current creditors can get thru any freeze you may have on file.

[RobertEG]

Current creditors can certainly access your credit report for internal account reiveiw, but their change in credit limit is a different matter.

If a freeze or extended fraud alert is in effect, then the consuemr must explicity approve before any account changes in credit limit can be approved.

[tendertan]

Well that's what was told to me. It makes sense because when I bought my new reports, I couldn't get Equifax. So any who she gave me all 3 Bureaus numbers, so I'm banking it's something with Equfax. I'll be on it comes Monday though.