Topic Wiki

Most banks, including Chase and AMEX, pull from Experian in NY and NJ when you apply for a card. If they see too many pulls, they are more likely to decline your application. The goal is to have the bank look at a different credit report that doesn’t have as many pulls. This is basically done by putting a security block, or “freeze” your Experian (or other hard hit reports) account. That way, banks are blocked from seeing it.

That can be done here:
Equifax
Experian
TransUnion

Obviously, you will not get instant approval and will have to call recon and ask them nicely to pull from a different bureau. Some banks will decline to do so and will require you to give them the pin# you set up when you froze the credit report so they can pull it. When you do call up, make sure you have a good reason for having your report frozen. Tell them there is some incorrect info on your experian credit report and that you don't want to unfreeze it until it gets corrected. DO NOT say that there was a fraud alert so you froze it!!!! This will cause them to freeze your application.

CHASE:
Personal- many have reported success in freezing experian and having apps approved. There are recent reports of this not working anymore and customer service requiring the pin to unlock your report so this may require lots of HUCA. One DDFer reports 15 HUCAs (3/19/14) and no luck. It may be dead  :(
If you plan on doing a chase 2BM, you might want to call and get both approved in the same call as to avoid multiple pulls. Alternatively, you can just unfreeze it before a 2/3BM.
AsherO reports that he had them pull equifax and they pulled transunion 2 days later as well. The best way to avoid a double-pull, is to freeze both Experian + another bureau and have them pull the third.

Business- There is limited reported success getting chase business reps to pull anything other than experian. Only one DDFer reports success and even he admits it was a real pain and lot and lots of HUCA-ing.

AMEX:
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work at all for AMEX. They will require your pin so they can pull Experian.

CITI:
In NY, Citi pulls from either Equifax or Experian or both. So by freezing experian, you can get them to pull just equifax thus preventing the dreaded double pull. (Many Ddfers have reported that Citi will no longer pull from another report once the original pull has been made).

A few side notes:
Freezing your report will automatically opt you out from pre-approved offers. Churners like those so you might want to opt back in.
If you have accounts with a bank they can still do a soft pull on your frozen credit report.
If you open a new account, it will get reported to the frozen credit report. The report just won’t show a hard pull.       

« Last edited by Yehuda25 on March 25, 2014, 10:01:00 PM »

Author Topic: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score  (Read 156313 times)

Offline aryeh1

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 4723
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: DDF
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #160 on: March 31, 2012, 11:02:32 PM »
If you call them, they should be able to tell you or you can try to freeze it online and if its frozen it wont let you free again.

Offline al1

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Apr 2012
  • Posts: 8
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #161 on: April 01, 2012, 06:03:23 PM »
hi,

just wanted to know if the complimentary credit score from AMEX counts as a regular credit check...

any reason NOT to do it ?

thanks!

Offline AJK

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 25504
  • Total likes: 732
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: United Concierge Key; Delta Global Services; American Chairman; US Airways 1K; Hilton Sapphire; Hyatt Tritium; Marriott Californium; Starwood Kryptonium; Hertz Plutonium; National Adamantium, Avis Executive Proactanium
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #162 on: April 01, 2012, 08:46:54 PM »
hi,

just wanted to know if the complimentary credit score from AMEX counts as a regular credit check...

any reason NOT to do it ?

thanks!

It'd be a soft inquiry, not hard.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline aryeh1

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 4723
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: DDF
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #163 on: April 01, 2012, 08:52:33 PM »
I cant get to freeze experian online as I got the questions wrong ( which i answered right) , is there another way to freeze?

Offline al1

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Apr 2012
  • Posts: 8
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #164 on: April 01, 2012, 11:34:41 PM »
It'd be a soft inquiry, not hard.

all credit checks are soft ?

that means it doesn't look as bad?

Offline AJK

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 25504
  • Total likes: 732
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: United Concierge Key; Delta Global Services; American Chairman; US Airways 1K; Hilton Sapphire; Hyatt Tritium; Marriott Californium; Starwood Kryptonium; Hertz Plutonium; National Adamantium, Avis Executive Proactanium
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #165 on: April 02, 2012, 09:28:39 AM »
all credit checks are soft ?

that means it doesn't look as bad?

Goooogle is your friend.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline aryeh1

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 4723
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: DDF
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #166 on: April 02, 2012, 01:06:20 PM »
Does this work if I have a business card in my 3 bbm or it will result in 2 pulls (ex Inkbold/saphire/united)?

Offline AJK

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 25504
  • Total likes: 732
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: United Concierge Key; Delta Global Services; American Chairman; US Airways 1K; Hilton Sapphire; Hyatt Tritium; Marriott Californium; Starwood Kryptonium; Hertz Plutonium; National Adamantium, Avis Executive Proactanium
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #167 on: April 02, 2012, 01:21:36 PM »
This whole tactic raises your chances of getting multiple pulls, and that's before adding business cards to the mix.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline sawlw

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Oct 2010
  • Posts: 1323
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #168 on: April 02, 2012, 01:37:34 PM »
is it possible to do a 2/3 bm when you freeze and get instant approval vs. calling and them doing a pull per app??

i did a 3bm on amex and got 3 mess tht i have to call in order to get an instant approval!!

Offline sawlw

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Oct 2010
  • Posts: 1323
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #169 on: April 17, 2012, 03:47:40 PM »
OK so Amex declined me bec they couldn't pull from expirian so I call and they ask for my pin, when I asked them to pull from from tu or eq they say they can't, only from ex and I have to supply the pin for an instant answer......
Does all this make sense??

Offline MnM1130

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Dec 2009
  • Posts: 2699
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #170 on: April 17, 2012, 03:50:05 PM »
OK so Amex declined me bec they couldn't pull from expirian so I call and they ask for my pin, when I asked them to pull from from tu or eq they say they can't, only from ex and I have to supply the pin for an instant answer......
Does all this make sense??
yes.
doesnt work with amex
works with chase and i never tried with anythine lse but im sure other pple would know.

Offline AJK

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 25504
  • Total likes: 732
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: United Concierge Key; Delta Global Services; American Chairman; US Airways 1K; Hilton Sapphire; Hyatt Tritium; Marriott Californium; Starwood Kryptonium; Hertz Plutonium; National Adamantium, Avis Executive Proactanium
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #171 on: April 17, 2012, 03:50:17 PM »
OK so Amex declined me bec they couldn't pull from expirian so I call and they ask for my pin, when I asked them to pull from from tu or eq they say they can't, only from ex and I have to supply the pin for an instant answer......
Does all this make sense??

Yes.

EDIT: See above. Only works with Chase AFAIK (definitely not with AmEx or Citi).
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline sawlw

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Oct 2010
  • Posts: 1323
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #172 on: April 18, 2012, 08:46:37 PM »
Yes.

EDIT: See above. Only works with Chase AFAIK (definitely not with AmEx or Citi).

thanx

now how to i get rid of the 3 amex apps in order to redo them and hopefully only get 1 pull, vs. give my pin now and getting a pull per app??

Offline AJK

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 25504
  • Total likes: 732
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: United Concierge Key; Delta Global Services; American Chairman; US Airways 1K; Hilton Sapphire; Hyatt Tritium; Marriott Californium; Starwood Kryptonium; Hertz Plutonium; National Adamantium, Avis Executive Proactanium
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #173 on: April 18, 2012, 11:43:49 PM »
thanx

now how to i get rid of the 3 amex apps in order to redo them and hopefully only get 1 pull, vs. give my pin now and getting a pull per app??

I'd just let those apps go and simply apply again after unfreezing, someone can CMIIW.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline Yeki89

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 3846
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #174 on: April 23, 2012, 02:40:06 PM »
i tried to remove it online and got this


We were unable to honor your request to permanently remove your security freeze based on the information you entered.

Sending us your information

To permanently remove your security freeze, please mail us this letter (or the information in it), along with one copy of a government issued identification card, such as a driver’s license, state or military ID card, etc., one copy of a utility bill, bank or insurance statement, etc., and a copy of your Social Security card or another document that displays your Social Security number. Make sure that each copy is legible, displays your name and current mailing address, and the date of issue (statement dates must be recent). We are unable to accept credit card statements, voided checks, lease agreements, magazine subscriptions or postal service forwarding orders as proof. To protect your personal identification information, Experian does not return correspondence sent to us. Send copies of any documents you wish to provide to us and always retain your original documents. We will validate your information and remove your security freeze for the timeframe you request.

If paying for a permanent removal of a security freeze, please enclose check or money order. Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming , $10 plus applicable tax; Arizona, Arkansas, Hawaii, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Vermont and West Virginia, $5 plus applicable tax; Georgia and Nebraska, $3. All other states have no charge and there is no fee for victims of identity theft.

Mail this form, along with payment (if applicable) to:

Experian Security Freeze
PO Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013

Does that make sense?

Offline AJK

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 25504
  • Total likes: 732
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: United Concierge Key; Delta Global Services; American Chairman; US Airways 1K; Hilton Sapphire; Hyatt Tritium; Marriott Californium; Starwood Kryptonium; Hertz Plutonium; National Adamantium, Avis Executive Proactanium
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #175 on: April 23, 2012, 06:22:24 PM »
Had the same issue when trying to temporarily thaw my EX.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline aryeh1

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 4723
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: DDF
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #176 on: April 24, 2012, 07:56:41 PM »
When freezing did anyone receive a letter that they opted you out from promotional offers?

Offline dealvr

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2010
  • Posts: 1192
  • Total likes: 5
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
  • Programs: AA ExPlat, Qantas Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #177 on: April 24, 2012, 08:03:28 PM »
When freezing did anyone receive a letter that they opted you out from promotional offers?
Yes
Hey there! I am using WhatsApp.

Offline aryeh1

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 4723
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: DDF
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #178 on: April 24, 2012, 08:09:05 PM »
Yes
This means you cant get credit card offers in mail anymore? im wondering why they opt you out automatically when you freeze

Offline SPGCont

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 252
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles
  • Programs: SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Fairmont Platinum (Life), Alaska Air MVP, Delta Silver, AA, United
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #179 on: May 04, 2012, 03:18:00 PM »
Thinking about freezing my experian report for a chase 3bm attempt.

Also want to apply for two amex cards.

What is the best way to do this so that I will only get 2 pulls : one from amex and one from chase (but have chase only pull from equifax or tu) ?

Thanks!