How Does Responding to CC Offers Affect Credit Rating?

[shoreman]

Hi,

Does responding to credit card offers (the unsolicited, "pre-approved" ones that are beginning to arrive in droves) affect one's credit rating? I have not responded to any I've received up to this point, but I'm beginning to get no-fee offers with good credit lines and rates, so I'm curious.

Also, does it matter if the offer (vis-a-vis the above question) is from a former creditor included in my BK?

Thanks for any feedback.

[emoney]

Before the account will be opened, a credit hit will be made. From my experience your FICO score will drop 5-10 points. A second inquiry the score will drop 10-20 points.
After six months the score will rebound to about the old level.
regards,
emoney

[BassBoy]

My opinion would be to avoid creditors you filed BK on. Even though they send you the offers, that particular department that mails those out (the marketing department) probably does not know about your BK, but once you respond and apply, that's when that particular creditor will see the BK and/or that you filed BK on them and you may be denied. Also, some creditors will black list you, but you may get offers from that creditor anyways.

[magyar123]

My opinion would be to avoid creditors you filed BK on. Even though they send you the offers, that particular department that mails those out (the marketing department) probably does not know about your BK, but once you respond and apply, that's when that particular creditor will see the BK and/or that you filed BK on them and you may be denied. Also, some creditors will black list you, but you may get offers from that creditor anyways.

It was Washington Mutual/Providian that 7 months after my bankruptcy was discharged sent me one of those pre-approved offers. I completed the application, and was approved. This was after the Wamu/Providian merger. My bankruptcy had included a Providian card, before the merger. Guess the two computer systems were sleeping. I received a Visa with a $1500 limit, which by now has risen to $2500. And just recently they sent me one of their MCs with a $1000 limit.