Unauthorised credit search

mike_the_haggler · 23 May 2006 at 9:05AM

Hi

I recently applied for a Argos Card on the 1/5/06
got turned down by arg card services..fair enough

however,looking at my credit report today, I noticed another application was done on the 22/05/06 by the same company
Now I know it`s not wise to re-apply for at least three months,i.e credit score etc
but obviously someone has tried on my behalf

I called arg card services today, who say it`s probaly an error, that the underwriters have cancelled any request,that the shop may have have put it through twice etc, but timescale is so odd, they advised me to write a letter explaining this to them, and they will look at it with a view to removing the search, I am seriously thinking of informing the police,as I believe this to be a fraudulent application, felt that arg was dismissive

Any thoughts on taking this further peeps

Rafter · 23 May 2006 at 9:10AM

Mike,

This is quite normal, it may even be the same search being registered via a different feed into the credit referencing agencies.

While it is good to monitor your report, calling the police every time a search is done that can be explained by your recent application is unlikely to help them catch application fraudsters.

Remember too that you are not liable for fraudulent applications.

Also that 2 searches from the same organisation in a short space of time will not impact your credit record or ability to get accounts elsewhere.

Happy haggling.

R.

mike_the_haggler · 23 May 2006 at 9:24AM

Thanks for that, just found it odd that there was two apps in such a short time from the same company, and was worried about credit score,

So I`m not liable ...cool

The_Boss · 23 May 2006 at 2:22PM

Contest it with the CRA - they will remove the extra search. In my case, removing the extra search had a significant impact on Exeperian's credit score - so it definitely can be used against you by an automated computer system.

mrsw · 23 May 2006 at 2:58PM

The_Boss wrote:

Contest it with the CRA - they will remove the extra search. In my case, removing the extra search had a significant impact on Exeperian's credit score - so it definitely can be used against you by an automated computer system.

I tried taking this approach to get a duplicate search removed from Mint. They were unable to do anything because Mint did not respond to their query. I have since contacted Mint myself and they are refusing to remove the duplicate search

The_Boss · 23 May 2006 at 4:07PM

mrsw wrote:

I tried taking this approach to get a duplicate search removed from Mint. They were unable to do anything because Mint did not respond to their query. I have since contacted Mint myself and they are refusing to remove the duplicate search

I contested mine with Experian telling them that I didnt sanction 2 searches, only one, and that the second was done without my knowledge and was also unnecessary as it was for the same product. They removed it with no hassle and without even contacting Halifax. They also did the same with a Northern Rock search because first time around the person put down my girlfriends salary as £80,000 and we therefore had to have a new mortgage search done a few months later. They wrote to Northern Rock about this, who told them to wipe off the first search. Maybe they are just more co-operative than other companies, but the Halifax one was removed immediately with no questions asked.

MikeyB_2 · 23 May 2006 at 5:45PM

mike_the_haggler wrote:

Thanks for that, just found it odd that there was two apps in such a short time from the same company, and was worried about credit score,

So I`m not liable ...cool

It seems like Tesco Personal Finance did something similar to me recently during my (ultimately unsuccessful) application for an unsecured loan

There's a search in each of Experian and Equifax for the 'provisionally approved' stage and then another search with Experian two weeks later at the extra info stage (at which I was rejected). Not sure if it will show up at Equifax as it wasn't the other day. They did mark it as a second check for the same product in the description, but I might ask Experian about it if they are cool about removing such things (as The Boss said), afterall I only authorised one search as far as I can recall

mike_the_haggler · 23 May 2006 at 6:36PM

Contest it with the CRA

Thanks for that ..will do, also noticed shop direct limited ,finance house behind littlewoods,kays done search yesterday, believe this was because I tried to blag the £20 free code of discountd/codes for an england shirt and pay the outstanding, did have an email today saying they were sending a catologue, apparently does this mean you have been approved for an account with them...?
sadly did not get England shirt..hangs head in shame!!!!!lol

The_Boss · 23 May 2006 at 7:57PM

mike_the_haggler wrote:

Contest it with the CRA

Thanks for that ..will do, also noticed shop direct limited ,finance house behind littlewoods,kays done search yesterday, believe this was because I tried to blag the £20 free code of discountd/codes for an england shirt and pay the outstanding, did have an email today saying they were sending a catologue, apparently does this mean you have been approved for an account with them...?
sadly did not get England shirt..hangs head in shame!!!!!lol

I had the same with Redoute about 18 months ago - just by requesting a catalogue because I wanted to buy a Schott bomber jacket. I didnt authorise a search but they did one anyway. No doubt it must be in there terms and conditions because otherwise it would be illegal (unless its just an ID check).

mike_the_haggler · 23 May 2006 at 8:21PM

The_Boss wrote:

I had the same with Redoute about 18 months ago - just by requesting a catalogue because I wanted to buy a Schott bomber jacket. I didnt authorise a search but they did one anyway. No doubt it must be in there terms and conditions because otherwise it would be illegal (unless its just an ID check).

Yep, read the terms and conditions and it confirmed that cc are carried out, must do it to save on postage, wastage, i.e cc before they send catolugue to see if they pass cc, if YOU DON`T PASS ,they don`t bother sending catologue....

mrsw · 24 May 2006 at 8:52AM

The_Boss wrote:

I contested mine with Experian telling them that I didnt sanction 2 searches, only one, and that the second was done without my knowledge and was also unnecessary as it was for the same product. They removed it with no hassle and without even contacting Halifax. They also did the same with a Northern Rock search because first time around the person put down my girlfriends salary as £80,000 and we therefore had to have a new mortgage search done a few months later. They wrote to Northern Rock about this, who told them to wipe off the first search. Maybe they are just more co-operative than other companies, but the Halifax one was removed immediately with no questions asked.

Hmm, interesting. My searches show on my Equifax report. They are obviously not so helpful!

Unauthorised credit search

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