My credit report is locked. Why did I get a pre-approved credit offer?

Lenders may use their own databases to make a credit decision and may not send a new credit report request to Equifax. This means they could offer you a pre-approved credit product when your credit report is locked, or might not send you offers when your credit is unlocked, based on the information in their database. However, many pre-approved credit offers are conditional on a credit check (which you consent to by submitting the offer form), so your credit lock might prevent the offer from coming into effect even if you accept the offer.