[reaperducer]

And it looks like it's becoming increasingly difficult to avoid these services when applying for a mortgage.

Chase is guilty of this.

I went to a Chase branch a few years ago to ask about a mortgage. The banker put my SSN into the computer, and told me the computer said no. No questions about my income, no request for financial statements or account balances, or anything. Just that the computer said not to bother continuing the process.

I asked my accountant about this, and she said it was because of the way my income was structured, and that the computer "pre-approval" process has no way of understanding most of my six-figure income because my life isn't so simple that I can use a plain old 1040-EZ.

I'm sure that some banking middle manager sees these "AI" systems as wonderful things that reduce risk, or cut expenses because human beings are no longer needed to make decisions. But they hurt real people and contribute to the ongoing housing crisis. But, hey, as long as some MBA can use his budget-trimming bonus to buy a second boat, that's all that matters.