Smarter Fico Developers?

acadia11 · ‎08-27-2007

Does Fico count utilities inquiries against your credit score, they don't offer credit, why should they count as inquiry against you? Maybe I'm wrong on this one, but I recently moved and got a bellsouth now ATT home phone, they run credit checks, but I haven't had a Bellsouth now ATT Home phone for going on 4 years, because, all I used was my cell phone, only reason I got the ATT home phone was for the fax machine. So, anyway, ATT shows up as an inquiry is this factored into the Fico Store, and if so, that's just dumb. It's not credit, I purchase my phone service, I don't get a loan for it, I don't pay, I don't have service, it's not a credit line, no one is loaning any money. Also, I got a verizon wireless phone, why, because, they have such nifty commercial actually it was for a family member. Either way, this shows up as another inquiry. Both in the last 2 months, which really sucks, because, it's knocking off points off my equifax score. What gives, mind you all my scores are over 700 but equifax, because, I opened a couple of new TL, and had 5 inquiries this year. Anyone know if Fico considers utility providers as inquiries calculated in your score?

Anonymous · ‎08-27-2007

acadia11 wrote:
Does Fico count utilities inquiries against your credit score, they don't offer credit, why should they count as inquiry against you? Maybe I'm wrong on this one, but I recently moved and got a bellsouth now ATT home phone, they run credit checks, but I haven't had a Bellsouth now ATT Home phone for going on 4 years, because, all I used was my cell phone, only reason I got the ATT home phone was for the fax machine. So, anyway, ATT shows up as an inquiry is this factored into the Fico Store, and if so, that's just dumb. It's not credit, I purchase my phone service, I don't get a loan for it, I don't pay, I don't have service, it's not a credit line, no one is loaning any money. Also, I got a verizon wireless phone, why, because, they have such nifty commercial actually it was for a family member. Either way, this shows up as another inquiry. Both in the last 2 months, which really sucks, because, it's knocking off points off my equifax score. What gives, mind you all my scores are over 700 but equifax, because, I opened a couple of new TL, and had 5 inquiries this year. Anyone know if Fico considers utility providers as inquiries calculated in your score?

Were these hard pulls or soft.....Usually a hard pull is when you ask for credit...a soft pull is everything else....you have a CC and that CCC is looking to see about raising CL. You usually see many more soft pulls them hard.

Phone Co. will have PP cell co. will also have PP....they can be hard pulls BUT only when you first ask for service....after service it should be a soft pull

SOFT PULLS....no FICO marks

HARD PULLS.....everyone is different...

It sounds like your pulls wouls be SOFT. Look at your report....it will say full report sent (all creditors can see)

Then you will see, usual a much longer list stating only you or employer can see.

fused · ‎08-27-2007

All hard inqs do factor in FICO scoring for up to 12 months. I would like to see more utility and cell phone companies report positive payment histories though. Very few report to the CRAs except when the account goes bad.

Anonymous · ‎08-27-2007

HappyDays wrote:

acadia11 wrote:
Does Fico count utilities inquiries against your credit score, they don't offer credit, why should they count as inquiry against you? Maybe I'm wrong on this one, but I recently moved and got a bellsouth now ATT home phone, they run credit checks, but I haven't had a Bellsouth now ATT Home phone for going on 4 years, because, all I used was my cell phone, only reason I got the ATT home phone was for the fax machine. So, anyway, ATT shows up as an inquiry is this factored into the Fico Store, and if so, that's just dumb. It's not credit, I purchase my phone service, I don't get a loan for it, I don't pay, I don't have service, it's not a credit line, no one is loaning any money. Also, I got a verizon wireless phone, why, because, they have such nifty commercial actually it was for a family member. Either way, this shows up as another inquiry. Both in the last 2 months, which really sucks, because, it's knocking off points off my equifax score. What gives, mind you all my scores are over 700 but equifax, because, I opened a couple of new TL, and had 5 inquiries this year. Anyone know if Fico considers utility providers as inquiries calculated in your score?

Were these hard pulls or soft.....Usually a hard pull is when you ask for credit...a soft pull is everything else....you have a CC and that CCC is looking to see about raising CL. You usually see many more soft pulls them hard.

Phone Co. will have PP cell co. will also have PP....they can be hard pulls BUT only when you first ask for service....after service it should be a soft pull

SOFT PULLS....no FICO marks
HARD PULLS.....everyone is different...

It sounds like your pulls wouls be SOFT. Look at your report....it will say full report sent (all creditors can see)

Then you will see, usual a much longer list stating only you or employer can see.

this is a letter that another forum member posted...I think its good...be sure & change the state name to yours (unless you live in FLORIDA)

Jones Collection Agency

222 1st Street

Noplace, FL33333

Re: Account #: 5555555

Original Creditor: Smith & Smith Corp

Dear Sir or Madam:

This letter hereby notifies you that the validity of this debt is in dispute. In an attempt to validate this debt, I am requesting evidence of this debt, specifically the alleged contract or other instrument bearing my signature, as well as proof of your authority in this matter. Absent such substantiation, under federal and state law you must correct any erroneous reporting to any and all credit reporting agencies

In accordance with Section 809 of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act and corresponding case law, please provide me, in writing, the following information:

A copy of the alleged original contract or other instrument bearing my signature
Complete account history, including, all statements, records of all activity, payments, collection attempts, and any charges added for collection activity; In short, any and all documentation pertaining to this account
Evidence of your authorization under 15 USC 1692(e) and 15 USC 1692(f) in this alleged matter
Evidence that your company is registered as a consumer collection agency in the State of Florida

Additionally, until full validation is provided, all representatives of your company, or any affiliated company, must immediately cease & desist all attempts to collect the aforementioned debt. Failure of your company to comply with this request will be a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and will directly result in a complaint filed with the Federal Trade Commission and the State of Florida Attorney General's office. Please be advised, should this request be violated, I will pursue all criminal and civil claims, including any and all punitive damages, allowable by federal and state law against your company.

Failure to respond, in writing, and in a timely manner, will serve as a waiver to any and all of your claims in this matter and that this matter is permanently closed. Please provide the requested information or correct your records and immediately request the removal of this invalid debt from all sources to which you may have reported.

For the purposes of 15 USC 1692 et seq., this Notice has the same effect as a dispute to the validity of the alleged debt and a dispute to the validity of your claims. This Notice is an attempt to correct your records, and any information received from you will be retained should further action become necessary. This is a request for information only, and is not a statement, election, or waiver of status.

I look forward to your timely response.

Best regards,

Jane Doe WRONG THREAD i AM SO SORRY

08-26-2007 04:06 PM

Message Edited by HappyDays on 08-27-2007 10:41 PM

acadia11 · ‎08-28-2007

Nope they are all hard inquiries, it's the fico report I order, stated as 2 of the 5 inquires that appear for equifax.

acadia11 · ‎08-28-2007

hard pulls

Anonymous · ‎08-28-2007

A request fo new service is actually a request for credit of a sort and yes they can pull hard. Remember they use your credit info to decide how much if any deposit you may have to pay based on your credit performance. Most utilities you pay for AFTER you use them.

Now cable is another matter but depending on where you live, here you get to ride a month before they shut you off on all utilities. So yes yu are asking them to truct that yo will pay even that free ride month.

If ATT is doing an account review it should be coded as such or a promo inquiry. Not hard. You do have legal recourse if they are showing as hard and you have not requested service from them.

Message Edited by Brammy on 08-28-2007 09:17 PM