My credit score went south after a divorce in 1998. He filed bankruptcy and it all defaulted to me. For the next 10 yrs. I kept my head down, paid attention, paid balances and let years get between me at that life. My score rose from 522 to 748 when I finally financed my car. My goal is to get a balance transfer as soon as my smaller balances are paid. I paid off my car and I don't reply to the offers that come in the mail. Credit Karma is constantly nudging me to open a new account to raise my score. I was told that my not owning real estate is a hindrance. Late December I stopped in to Old Navy in my old neighborhood. I stepped up to the register with 3 sweaters and tapped my debit card. . She stopped and said "You've been pre-approved for an Old Navy Master Card. I said "Thanks, but no..I'm in a bit of a hurry." She told me that it only takes a minute because I am pre-approved. She urged me again and I explained about not wanting any activity on my report that would impact my score. She assured me that everything will be OK and I'll be out of here in no time. I sensed there was some promotional going on being Christmas and all and that would explain her persistence. So, I agreed to do it. She said she just needed a few questions answered. She asked for my monthly rent and income. I then asked her why she needed to know that information if I'm pre-approved and her reply was they just want to verify you are who you say you are. It all took place very fast and she started explaining when my paperwork would come etc. It is upsetting that I allowed an account to be opened and I have no knowledge of the APR or annual fee if there is one....Before I left she told me she put the sweaters on my new charge account. (Didn't ask me at all) I get on the freeway and my phone is blowing up with notifications about the hard inquiry from Barclays Bank Got home and called the store. Spoke with the manager. She was all apologies but said she couldn't help me and never asked my name or the name of the cashier who lied to me. I called Barclays and was told that they only handle billing...couldn't 't help me but for me to call the Credit reporting agencies...It made no sense but I called Trans Union who said I needed to contact Old Navy and tell them i needed a letter of deletion for each of the agencies. 5 more phone calls get me finally to a supervisor who tells me to write to LFRA in Delaware. She said to write a simple note as my story was saved in the computer there and they would be getting a copy. I did everything I was instructed to do and I received a return letter saying they did an investigation and I was basically "out of gas" and if I want to communicate further...here's the address. I have searched since regarding pre-qualified vs. pre- approved and though the definitions are weak they say there is typically a soft inquiry for both. ... the whole issue is that I didn't want the card if it was going to impact my credit score and she lied to me. This happened on Dec.10th and my account showed opened on the 13th. My score dropped to 724 even though the line of credit was $5800. Why is it such a hardship for them to remove it this inquiry? They have my report and can see I am telling the truth. I spoke with the manager of my neighborhood Old Navy and she was very interested she said that she was going to "Bubble" my story up to corporate and she was going to make sure that it never happened again to anybody. She took a picture of my receipt. I don't know where to go from here. I am so angry about this. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hi everyone. I'm trying to take advantage of the 50% + 30% discount that old navy has for the navyist rewards credit card. I was just wondering, how long does the approval process take? Can I get instantly approved? And if so, can I have immediate access to the card so I can take advantage of the discount offers? Thanks in advance for any advice!