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 155541 times)

Offline george

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 692
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #300 on: July 09, 2013, 02:18:48 PM »
I'm trying to remove a freeze on Equifax. Its asking me for the 10-digit PIN. I have no recollection of such a PIN and I am coming up empty when searching my email inbox. Anyone know where I would find it? Thanks

Offline Moshe123

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 6228
  • Total likes: 916
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Spring Valley
  • Programs: Lost
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #301 on: July 09, 2013, 02:58:33 PM »
With Experian, it's a bunch of zeroes before your 4-digit pin.

Offline AJK

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 25500
  • Total likes: 723
  • 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 #302 on: July 09, 2013, 03:01:22 PM »
I'm trying to remove a freeze on Equifax. Its asking me for the 10-digit PIN. I have no recollection of such a PIN and I am coming up empty when searching my email inbox. Anyone know where I would find it? Thanks

In a letter/email they should have sent you/given you when you froze.
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 compddd

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 2813
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #303 on: July 09, 2013, 03:08:53 PM »
Do you guys think its worth it to fight an unauthorized pull on my TU in a state that doesn't pull TU for anything? (I'm in Southern CA and every bank pulls EX)

Apparently Chase Business recon pulled my TU yesterday when they approved my Ink Plus application.

Offline george

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 692
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #304 on: July 09, 2013, 03:17:36 PM »
With Experian, it's a bunch of zeroes before your 4-digit pin.
I tried that but its not working for Equifax
In a letter/email they should have sent you/given you when you froze.
I did not get an email, and I do not recall receiving a letter...

Offline AJK

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 25500
  • Total likes: 723
  • 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 #305 on: July 10, 2013, 11:15:41 PM »
Then it was shown to you after you successfully froze.
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 george

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 692
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #306 on: July 10, 2013, 11:53:22 PM »
Then it was shown to you after you successfully froze.
You are probably correct, but by now I have no clue what it is.
I ended up calling Equifax security freeze dept. after much searching around for the correct phone number. Rep removed the freeze for me over the phone.

Offline CountValentine

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 16691
  • Total likes: 7496
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips -1
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
  • Location: Poland - Exiled
  • Programs: DAOTYA, DDF Level 3, 5K Lounge
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #307 on: July 11, 2013, 12:19:48 AM »
Do you guys think its worth it to fight an unauthorized pull on my TU in a state that doesn't pull TU for anything? (I'm in Southern CA and every bank pulls EX)

Apparently Chase Business recon pulled my TU yesterday when they approved my Ink Plus application.
Why do you say this is an unauthorized pull?
Only on DDF does 24/6 mean 24/5/half/half

Offline compddd

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 2813
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #308 on: July 11, 2013, 09:58:49 AM »
Why do you say this is an unauthorized pull?

Aren't they supposed to ask you first before pulling again? My only consolation is that it was TU since everyone pulls EX in Southern CA.

Offline ayman

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2013
  • Posts: 1444
  • Total likes: 34
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • Simplify Shopping
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #309 on: August 20, 2013, 10:40:11 PM »
I know this is very old, but what did you end up doing w the TU pull?
Had a similar exp w a diff CR...
Buy discounted gift cards from me.
www.simplifyshopping.com

Offline gloreglabert

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 124
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #310 on: August 21, 2013, 02:09:08 AM »
Aren't they supposed to ask you first before pulling again? My only consolation is that it was TU since everyone pulls EX in Southern CA.
1. You asked for credit so you authorized the credit pull.  They can pull 1 or more of your credit reports...they don't need to ask you first.

2. Chase very often pulls an extra report on recon.  On multiple occasions they've pulled my TU on recon after pulling EX initially.  Other banks do this as well.

3. If nobody else pulls TU, why should you care about one pull on there?

MTA: whoops, didn't realize this was a gravedig

Offline Feivish

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 808
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #311 on: September 03, 2013, 02:27:13 PM »
Just had success with Citi

Offline AJK

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 25500
  • Total likes: 723
  • 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 #312 on: September 03, 2013, 02:54:30 PM »
Just had success with Citi

You think you had success... I'd be willing to bet (though could be wrong obv) that it may not be true...

Care to elaborate on your success?
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 ayman

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2013
  • Posts: 1444
  • Total likes: 34
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • Simplify Shopping
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #313 on: September 03, 2013, 02:56:11 PM »
Funny way to phrase that AJK, would have started with care to explain and then after hearing what the success was you could say he was mistaken :P
Take the bet only after you know what he thinks he was successful with
Buy discounted gift cards from me.
www.simplifyshopping.com

Offline Feivish

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 808
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #314 on: September 03, 2013, 02:57:42 PM »
After freezing my experian report I applied online being approved on the spot, please tell me what was not a success

Offline AJK

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 25500
  • Total likes: 723
  • 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 #315 on: September 03, 2013, 03:41:06 PM »
Funny way to phrase that AJK, would have started with care to explain and then after hearing what the success was you could say he was mistaken :P
Take the bet only after you know what he thinks he was successful with

What can I say, I like livin' life on the edge...

...of being wrong :)

After freezing my experian report I applied online being approved on the spot, please tell me what was not a success

And what state did you apply from? (not physical location, but what address did you put in the app?)
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 CountValentine

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 16691
  • Total likes: 7496
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips -1
  • Gender: Female
    • View Profile
  • Location: Poland - Exiled
  • Programs: DAOTYA, DDF Level 3, 5K Lounge
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #316 on: September 03, 2013, 03:44:17 PM »
Funny way to phrase that AJK, would have started with care to explain and then after hearing what the success was you could say he was mistaken :P
Take the bet only after you know what he thinks he was successful with
Take a stance and you might like it.  :)
Only on DDF does 24/6 mean 24/5/half/half

Offline Feivish

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 808
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #317 on: September 03, 2013, 03:52:00 PM »
What can I say, I like livin' life on the edge...

...of being wrong :)

And what state did you apply from? (not physical location, but what address did you put in the app?)
NY

Offline AJK

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 25500
  • Total likes: 723
  • 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 #318 on: September 03, 2013, 03:53:02 PM »
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 Feivish

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 808
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
Re: Credit Freeze to Improve Your Experian Score
« Reply #319 on: September 03, 2013, 03:58:15 PM »
(not physical location, but what address did you put in the app?)
Do I look stupid?  ???
Ding ding ding.
Not sure what that is :-X