Hooters Mastercard . . . .good lord charlie brown!

[Kuya]

Ok, So I applied for a Hooters Mastercard . . . Did not get approved instantly, but was notified that it would need more time for approval.

Today I got a letter in the mail requesting more information to process my application, and to call their 1800 number.

I speak to this woman, who says she needs to ask me some security (multiple choice) questions.

1) Road I ever lived on
2) Mother's name
3) Sisters Birthday

They had all the right answers, I just had to pick the correct one. After that, she informed me that she would put the application back in for processing and I would hear back in 7 to 10 days.

Strange - to say the least. Anyone else have this experience? Does this sound like I am approved? I hung up the phone scratching my head . . .not being any wiser.

[daxtell]

sounds like someone has given your personal information to this new company. or they have gotten it some other way... there is no way a new company would ask that kind of personal information and just 'know it'. it sounds like one of those scams they talk about on the local news channels where companies ask for personal information to scam you.

[Kuya]

agreed .. it did sound "Scammy" . . . BUT I a pretty much consider myself "wise" to those things. . . for the most part. When I got the letter, I called the number and instead of calling the number the letter requested, I called the direct 800 number from their website. I then told them of the letter and they transferred me to the Dept that asked me these strange questions. I do feel it was legit. I have also been googling the incident because it was so strange, and found that many others have had this, and it was indeed Hooters doing a security verification. I can't find anything via google that would scream "scam" . . . and if it was a scam, there would be lots of info about it on the net, as I doubt I am the very first one to be targeted . . .

Anyway, from what I read on other forums, it looks like this means I have a very good chance of being approved . .

Still, was very very strange, to say the least

sounds like someone has given your personal information to this new company. or they have gotten it some other way... there is no way a new company would ask that kind of personal information and just 'know it'. it sounds like one of those scams they talk about on the local news channels where companies ask for personal information to scam you.

[frogger]

sounds like someone has given your personal information to this new company. or they have gotten it some other way... there is no way a new company would ask that kind of personal information and just 'know it'. it sounds like one of those scams they talk about on the local news channels where companies ask for personal information to scam you.

Security verification. The information they asked about... they didn't just "know it", they paid for that information via the proper channels. Be thankful that they are doing id verification checks.

[Flamingo]

You were not approved instantly because when you applied, something prevented them from giving you a yes or a no; either there is a security issue as to your credit reports and they are making sure it is actually you or, if you filed BK, that is putting a block/delay on any decision. I suggest you pull all three of your credit reports and see what is up and don't apply for any more credit until you know what is up here. The majority of the time, some questoins are asked for security from information pulled from one's credit report...i.e., what kind of car did you take out a loan for in 2003, what company is your mortgage with, etc. That info comes right off your credit reports. Something as to asking your sister's birthday is unusual and to me would raise a red flag.

[Kuya]

I agree. They were not asking me random questions. THEY had the answers!! Every question was multiple choice and the correct answer was ALWAYS one of the possible answers. As strange as they were . . .they did not appear phishing . . . the lady on the phone knew the answers.

I do agree that all is ok . . just scared me a bit, as this did not seem normal at the time.

Security verification. The information they asked about... they didn't just "know it", they paid for that information via the proper channels. Be thankful that they are doing id verification checks.

[Kuya]

Flamingo,

I monitor my credit regardless to this situation. I have spent the last year cleaning up my credit. Everything looks really good, considering the BK. Scores above 700 . . . I see all hard pulls, soft pulls, new accounts . . etc. And I am obsessed. I really look at it every day

I applied on line for the Hooters Card, and got a response that more time was needed. I instantly saw that Merrick Bank pulled my TU. It does seem official . . just odd.

Perhaps you are correct in that something stood out to them, that they need to get further security verification . . . but alas I am soooo on top of my credit it hurts. lol. I don't see anything odd at all.

You were not approved instantly because when you applied, something prevented them from giving you a yes or a no; either there is a security issue as to your credit reports and they are making sure it is actually you or, if you filed BK, that is putting a block/delay on any decision. I suggest you pull all three of your credit reports and see what is up and don't apply for any more credit until you know what is up here. The majority of the time, some questoins are asked for security from information pulled from one's credit report...i.e., what kind of car did you take out a loan for in 2003, what company is your mortgage with, etc. That info comes right off your credit reports. Something as to asking your sister's birthday is unusual and to me would raise a red flag.

[Peeps]

Hi Kuya,

It's probably not a big deal. They've got access to all of that creepy information. I had to answer some really weird questions like this when I requested my credit report prior to filing BK. Things like the street number of the house I grew up in and the make/model/year of my jeepie. I've also had to answer weird questions when I check my credit cards or bank accounts online... especially after I've cleared my internet browswer of cookies. I always assumed all of those weird little facts sit with the credit reporting agencies and they release the info out to banks.

They probably even know the size of the last undies you bought. But if they ask you what kind or what color you currently have on, well that's probably a sign that your creepy quotient has been elevated! :::sigh::: welcome to the information age.

[Kuya]

I believe you are correct. Not that big of a deal. And your response gave me a good laugh.
BTW, they did ask what color. The answer was "pink" . . but it's a very masculine pink, I must add.

Hi Kuya,

It's probably not a big deal. They've got access to all of that creepy information. I had to answer some really weird questions like this when I requested my credit report prior to filing BK. Things like the street number of the house I grew up in and the make/model/year of my jeepie. I've also had to answer weird questions when I check my credit cards or bank accounts online... especially after I've cleared my internet browswer of cookies. I always assumed all of those weird little facts sit with the credit reporting agencies and they release the info out to banks.

They probably even know the size of the last undies you bought. But if they ask you what kind or what color you currently have on, well that's probably a sign that your creepy quotient has been elevated! :::sigh::: welcome to the information age.

[LadyInTheRed]

I have access to a people search software at work. It draws from many data sources, not only your credit report. If I had your name, address and SSN, I could find your sister's birth date. In fact, I probably wouldn't even need your SSN. Of course, I'd have to your permission or one of a list of valid reasons to run the search. I use it to find beneficiaries and heirs of decedent's. So, people tend to be glad I found them.

[iswmle]

Curious, but how do you know that they had the answers? When I take cc apps I often have to ask those creepy, "personal" questions which are actually public records. I can't see the answers, though, just the questions. I have asked everything from mother's age range to the applicant's height and eye color. Sometimes all of the questions have answers, sometimes none, it is random.

Also when someone calls in to discuss their cc 99% of the time for verification I will ask mother, father's, spouse's, love child's name and DOB. Some people flip me crap and say "Why can't I just give you my SSN or DOB?" It is because your SSN/DOB are IDENTIFIERS and I am asking VERIFIER questions. Verifiers are usually what stop fraudsters from accessing your account. They can have your SSN/DOB all day long, but very rarely do they know your sister's name and DOB.

[Kuya]

I know there is a major company "Lexus Nexus" that provides very detailed information to companies that pay for it. This is a possible source of where they get it from, and how they would know these things. That might even be the software you use at your work?

I have access to a people search software at work. It draws from many data sources, not only your credit report. If I had your name, address and SSN, I could find your sister's birth date. In fact, I probably wouldn't even need your SSN. Of course, I'd have to your permission or one of a list of valid reasons to run the search. I use it to find beneficiaries and heirs of decedent's. So, people tend to be glad I found them.

[Kuya]

I do understand the need to ask security questions. It was just something that had never happened before . . so it set a red flag in the back of my head.

How do I know that they knew the answers? Well, because it was multiple choice . . . and ALWAYS the correct answer was in the choices:

1. What is your mothers name:
a) Julie
b) Christine
c) Delores
e) Theresa

2) When is your sisters birthday
a) June
b) February
c) August
d) December

What Street have you been associated with before?

a) Palm Ave
b) Hickory Street
d) Balin Circle
e) Franklin Street

She read the questions and answers . .. and it would be near impossible for her to have randomly made up the answers, and ALWAYS have the correct one in the choices.

Again, they could simply be paying for a service from Lexus Nexus . . which DOES provide those nitty gritty details of your life . . as part of a security verification process . .

Curious, but how do you know that they had the answers? When I take cc apps I often have to ask those creepy, "personal" questions which are actually public records. I can't see the answers, though, just the questions. I have asked everything from mother's age range to the applicant's height and eye color. Sometimes all of the questions have answers, sometimes none, it is random.

Also when someone calls in to discuss their cc 99% of the time for verification I will ask mother, father's, spouse's, love child's name and DOB. Some people flip me crap and say "Why can't I just give you my SSN or DOB?" It is because your SSN/DOB are IDENTIFIERS and I am asking VERIFIER questions. Verifiers are usually what stop fraudsters from accessing your account. They can have your SSN/DOB all day long, but very rarely do they know your sister's name and DOB.

[iswmle]

Oh yeah, the system would have the correct answer, but the rep would not know it, which is what I thought you were saying. When I have to ask verifiers after an app I just read everything on the screen, but there is no indication to me which one is correct.

[LadyInTheRed]

I know there is a major company "Lexus Nexus" that provides very detailed information to companies that pay for it. This is a possible source of where they get it from, and how they would know these things. That might even be the software you use at your work?

LexisNexis bought the company we use in the last year. A lot of what they use is publically available information. It just combines it all in one place: telephone directories; real estate records (from county recorders and assessors); DMV records in states that allow it; government birth, death and marriage records; birth, death and marriage notices in newspapers (where they often list family members), court records. That's all I can think of, but I'm sure there are more sources.