How do credit apps know credit details and scores even if there is a freeze on the credit records?

A 'Freeze' prevents a 'hard' credit-check that companies use to decide if they want to do business with you. Any company that lends you money will do that, but legally they need your permission (signature) to do it.

What you experienced is a 'soft' check, where a company simply pays to see your history. That gives them the information they need to decide if they even want to advertise something to you, like a credit card offer in the mail. Each of the three credit score companies makes money in those checks, and they do not allow you to block this in any way.

Note that having a credit freeze at one or two of those three is of little use, as the remaining one(s) will still happily allow an identify thief to open credit lines for you. To be any use, you need to freeze all three.

Tim

A security freeze is designed to prevent a credit reporting company from releasing your credit report without your consent. A few entities may still have access to your credit report such as companies with whom you have a current account or relationship with you, and collection agencies acting on behalf of those or companies that provide you with access to your credit report/credit score or monitor your credit report as part of a subscription or similar service and even companies that wish to make pre-approved offers of credit or insurance to you. You can always opt-out of such promotional inquiries by contacting each credit bureaus.

Let me explain the difference between hard inquiries and soft inquiries to you as easily as I can.

Hard Inquiries: If you apply for credit such as a mortgage, auto loan, or credit card, the lender with your permission will check your credit report and credit score from one or more of the major credit bureaus. Too many hard inquiries in a short period of time can be concerning to lenders. Opening various new credit accounts may mean you're having trouble paying bills or are at risk of overspending. As a result, hard inquiries have a temporary, negative effect on your credit score.

Soft Inquiries: When you check your own credit report or give permission to someone like a potential employer to review your credit report, a soft inquiry occurs. These inquiries have no effect on your credit score as they are never considered as a factor in credit scoring models.

This should help.