Failed to authenticate ID question related to credit pull

[OscarsMom]

Maybe this is a silly question, but I'm wondering about the application process for credit unions. If I applied online and was instantly declined due to them not being able to adequately authenticate my ID, does that mean they hadn't pulled my credit score yet?

The CU in question pulls EQ 5, for which I had to pay for a one-off report from MyFICO in order to view it. So I can't easily check it to see if it took a hit. I would think they wouldn't make the HP until they verified identity, but IDK. 

[AndySoCal]

@OscarsMom  Welcome to the forum. Most credit unions it membership first then credit or deposit accounts after that. I know of only one credit union that you can apply for credit first then membership. The credit union is State Department Federal Credit Union you have to choose that option.  What did you provide for your ID?  When I applied for SDFCU I provided drivers licsence, SSN Card Utiliy bill.  I would guess that your credit report was not pulled.  What is the name of the credit union?

[OscarsMom]

It was DCU, @AndySoCal. Here's the weird part - they never got to the real ID verification part. They asked my SSN, date of birth, and DL number. I figured they'd ask me to upload my DL or some other proof of ID later. There was a box on the online form that said "Scan back of license," but it was greyed out. I assumed it was for mobile device use, but I was on a laptop. It let me submit my information, but spit out an instant denial based on failure to authenticate.

I'm going to try again, if they'll let me, with the manual form you scan and email to an actual human. But it just occurred to me that my credit score might have already had a ding from them, IDK...

[Anonymous]

---

@OscarsMom wrote:

Maybe this is a silly question, but I'm wondering about the application process for credit unions. If I applied online and was instantly declined due to them not being able to adequately authenticate my ID, does that mean they hadn't pulled my credit score yet?

The CU in question pulls EQ 5, for which I had to pay for a one-off report from MyFICO in order to view it. So I can't easily check it to see if it took a hit. I would think they wouldn't make the HP until they verified identity, but IDK. 

---

While the inquiry might hit the EQ 5 score, it actually is going to be an HP on EQ, and you can view that for free on, for example, Credit Karma.   Sure, if you want to know the actual EQ 5 score you may need to pay, but just to know if an HP was done....

[SouthJamaica]

---

@OscarsMom wrote:

Maybe this is a silly question, but I'm wondering about the application process for credit unions. If I applied online and was instantly declined due to them not being able to adequately authenticate my ID, does that mean they hadn't pulled my credit score yet?

The CU in question pulls EQ 5, for which I had to pay for a one-off report from MyFICO in order to view it. So I can't easily check it to see if it took a hit. I would think they wouldn't make the HP until they verified identity, but IDK. 

---

No.  It doesn't mean that at all.  Credit unions frequently say they couldn't identify me. But it's only after they pulled at least one report, although it might be a Chex Systems report, rather than a credit bureau report.  As to why they say this, I don't know, because I'm real easy to identify

[OscarsMom]

@Anonymous @SouthJamaica 

Appreciate your input! My CK score shows no change, but I do see them on my Chex report. 

I don't know why they can't identify me. I'm over 60, been working my whole life. Born in MA, where they are HQ'd. My father even worked for the company that started the CU. 

I've had to do a bunch of Lexis questions recently to obtain documents for Social Security. I passed all the questions, and I didn't see any weird stuff, like my ex's address being the only viable option out of multiple choices (do I pick it or say none of the above?). IDK...

I do wonder if it's related to my address, which isn't in the USPS system because our town doesn't get residential delivery. There's also the potential issue of my house not being a legal address in terms of the LL not having officially divided a property with two houses on it. 

I'm going to try a manual app next. 

[SouthJamaica]

---

@OscarsMom wrote:

@Anonymous @SouthJamaica 

Appreciate your input! My CK score shows no change, but I do see them on my Chex report. 

I don't know why they can't identify me. I'm over 60, been working my whole life. Born in MA, where they are HQ'd. My father even worked for the company that started the CU. 

I've had to do a bunch of Lexis questions recently to obtain documents for Social Security. I passed all the questions, and I didn't see any weird stuff, like my ex's address being the only viable option out of multiple choices (do I pick it or say none of the above?). IDK...

I do wonder if it's related to my address, which isn't in the USPS system because our town doesn't get residential delivery. There's also the potential issue of my house not being a legal address in terms of the LL not having officially divided a property with two houses on it. 

I'm going to try a manual app next. 

---

Usually the problem is resolved if you can get into a branch. If that's not feasible, ask them what you can to help them identify you.

[OscarsMom]

@SouthJamaica I'm in CA at present, with few options in my rural area and no option of going to DCU in person. Anywhere within a reasonable drive is WF, Chase, BOA, etc. - big banks that only use TU and EX... 

But I only have an EQ score. I could probably open an account at some of them, but none of them are going to give me a CC or a loan. 

I can try my local bank after DCU, but I think they pull EX. And I don't want to rack up Chex inqs that could hurt with a more viable lender. 

[SouthJamaica]

---

@OscarsMom wrote:

@SouthJamaica I'm in CA at present, with few options in my rural area and no option of going to DCU in person. Anywhere within a reasonable drive is WF, Chase, BOA, etc. - big banks that only use TU and EX... 

But I only have an EQ score. I could probably open an account at some of them, but none of them are going to give me a CC or a loan. 

I can try my local bank after DCU, but I think they pull EX. And I don't want to rack up Chex inqs that could hurt with a more viable lender. 

---

Good credit unions that pull EQ:  Langley, PenFed, SECU MD, Virginia CU, Dept of Commerce CU, Chartway FCU, Dept of Interior FCU

[OscarsMom]

Thanks, @SouthJamaica 

So far what I've found is these CUs nearly always pull EQ 5 (which is my highest score and weirdly 100 points higher than my other EQ scores):

• DCU
• AOD CU
• SECU (MD)
• NCSECU
• NIH Fed CU
• Redwood CU

These other CUs are largely noted as pulling some version of EQ, but maybe not 5 and maybe not for all products (e.g., PenFed): 

• Chevron Fed CU
• Signature Fed CU
• Consumers CU
• Evansville Teachers Fed CU
• Interior Fed CU
• Justice Fed CU
• Langley Fed CU
• Pen Fed CU
• Dept. of Commerce CU
• Virginia CU
• Spire CU
• Chartway Fed CU
• GE CU?
• Northpark Community?
• Northwest?
• Fairwinds?
• Premier Members?

The ones with ?s I haven't looked into yet.

These CC's frequently pull EQ, at least in California: 

• Synovus (EQ 5, I think)
• HSBC
• TD Bank Cards, including Target Red Card
• Elements Financial (not sure if you need to join CU first)
• Huntington
• Citizens Bank
• FNBO
• Discover only with pre-qual
• Sometimes Citi (but not my experience)

Maybe this list will help others looking for exclusively EQ pulls. Feel free, anyone, to correct me if any of these are outdated/incorrect. There are a few more, like Palmetto and Truist, but they are geofenced to me, or not open given my lack of military service. 

I will update/add as I read more. 

Many of the CU memberships are HPs. Most of the CCs don't seem to allow pre-approval. So one has to be judicious in applying. Trying to hedge my bets for the most likely wins.