Application Process
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      Why You Need to Unfreeze Your Credit Report for Your iLOC Application

      Two Equifax credit checks occur: soft inquiry (pre-approval) and hard inquiry (account opening). Both need unfrozen credit reports. Soft inquiries don't affect credit score; hard inquiries may have temporary impact. You may need to unfreeze twice.

      Understanding Credit Inquiries

      During your iLOC application process, we conduct two types of credit inquiries:

      1. Soft Inquiry (Pre-Approval)
        • Does not impact your credit score
        • Only visible to you on your credit report
        • Used for preliminary assessment
      2. Hard Inquiry (Account Opening)
        • May temporarily impact your credit score 
        • Visible to other lenders on your credit report
        • Used for final approval decision
        • Impact typically diminishes after one year

      Key Points to Remember:

      • Both inquiries are necessary to offer you the best possible terms
      • Your iLOC usage is not reported to credit bureaus after account opening
      • Unfreezing your credit report is required for both inquiry stages

      Why Unfreezing is Necessary

      1. Access: A frozen credit report prevents all access, including legitimate inquiries like ours
      2. Compliance: Our lending partners require these checks as part of the approval process
      3. Accuracy: Ensures we have the most up-to-date information for your application

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Q: How long should I keep my credit report unfrozen?

      A: The time between soft and hard inquiries varies. For convenience, consider keeping it unfrozen throughout the application process.

      Q: Will these inquiries appear on my credit report?

      A: Yes, but remember that Inclined Lines of Credit themselves are not reported to credit bureaus.

      Q: How much will the hard inquiry affect my credit score?

      A: The impact is usually small and temporary, depending on your overall credit history.

      Taking Action

      1. Unfreeze your Equifax credit report before starting your iLOC application
      2. Apply for your iLOC through our secure online portal
      3. Keep your report unfrozen until your account is fully opened
      4. Refreeze your report after we confirm your account is active

      Need help unfreezing your Equifax Credit Report? Contact Equifax directly at 1 (800) 203-7843.

      Remember, a temporarily unfrozen credit report is your key to a smooth iLOC application process. If you have any questions, our support team is here to help at support@inclined.com!