Consumer complaint received 2021-05-05
Product: Credit card or prepaid card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers — Confusing or misleading advertising about the credit card
Company: Avant Holding Company, Inc. (LA)

I was solicited by AVANT via XXXX XXXX credit card company continuous offers in the mail. I finally decided to apply to the company online During the application process online I was asked all standard information and provided income information. I was immediately approved for XXXX limit AFTER a initial credit inquiry was ran, with the pending additional two items which was email verification and phone number. I provided both details asked of me however when I put in my number for a call through the automated application system their application system failed and did not call. I even asked for text verification and this was not done. So I then provided a alternate number where I could be contacted. I provided this number on Friday same day I applied. This number also did not receive a call. I emailed regarding the issue and i received an email from XXXX stating to contact the office at the time i was working and could not. Saturday during the day i received a call to where XXXX wanted me to verify my identity I gave my name address and phone number he then placed me on hold to where he ran an ADDITIONAL HARD INQUIRY on my credit but did not notify me he told me i was being placed on hold so he could update my phone number that he had just called me on. Then after this was done i mentioned it because i have instant alerts when my credit is ran i asked " why is a second inquiry happening from you all on my credit '' the Representive denied it however i was able to provide the details. After he continuously denied i was in fear that i was dealing with a unscrupulous company. I then asked for a superior to where XXXX came to the phone and apologized for my experience & stated to me they would just need me to now also scan a copy of my drivers license and this would be all for them to send the ALREADY approved card. I was reluctant however I complied because i was told the card was already approved but this was just the FINAL step. I was in fear so i took screenshots of the entire application process and what was being asked and the area where it stated APPROVED for XXXX limit. 

After uploading this i was then asked for a " XXXX '' of myself to where i was NOT told this was apart of the application process and at this point it was becoming extremely invasive and ridiculous. I was not able to find ANYWHERE on the site where this was apart of the application process it only mentioned uploading DOCUMENTS, nor anything regarding " selfies '' I then first thing Monday XX/XX/21 morning sent an email with ALL SCREENSHOTS and requested my application be closed. I then received an email back stating my application was denied for my credit score however the application was already approved so not only did this company mislead me and do TWO hard inquires on my credit. When i requested to close the application due to the odd nature of the application process to which I could not find what was being requested of me anywhere on the site. I was then mysteriously denied after already being approved, and this was done to me after I was solicited to apply. I do not think this should happen to anyone else my credit score will now be affected from this and I do not think it legal to operate in this way. I have documents to back up this entire ordeal should they be needed.