Does checking your equifax credit report count as credit searches?

embarrassed_about_my_debt

I did the free equifax trial a last month and at the same time had problems with my credit card companies not being able to follow simple requests :rolleyes:

Now while i had the equifax trial i checked my credit file 3 times to see if they had updated it and also to make sure they hadnt penalised me for their errors (which they didnt). It wasnt until the last one i realised these were showing up as searches on the other part of my credit file.

What i want to know is i know your only meant to have 3 searches within a 6 month period before it starts effecting your score. What i want to know is if i was to apply for a loan/cc now would it count as a 4th search therefore damaging my credit rating or do the equifax searches not count as they arent applying for credit just maintaining my credit file?

bathgatebuyer

I'm not entirely sure but I believe with Experian anyway that it counts as an 'unrecorded search'

embarrassed_about_my_debt

thanks, so these dont count then?

Anyone else know?

GeorgeUK

Yup - there are 2 kinds of searches on your credit report - you get to see all of them, but only credit applications are seen by organisations.

I asked this just over a year ago

embarrassed_about_my_debt

Many thanks G,

Just there is the possibility i might need to get two done in the next few months and didnt want to mess up my credit rating.

Hows things with you?

GeorgeUK

I "think" i'm ok.

Worked out the minimum payments and i think i've got them covered - don't suppose i'll be convinced until i've paid a month or two. Not done anything stupid recently so that's a plus.

I originally applied for 2 cards within a few days of each other when i first joined so hopefully that won't be a problem for you. The second card had a lower credit limit but that was probably more to do with the amount of credit i had available rather than anything else.

Do you know who you are going to request the cards from?
Virgin Money is still doing their 15 month with low minimum from 2nd month. I use uswitch and https://www.stoozing.com to see what the best offers out there are.

Hope you're keeping well.

embarrassed_about_my_debt

Not doing anything at the minute but might be the need to rent a house with my gf so that would be one search and if i do that i should be alright but might need to look at getting a loan to cover everything and just paying that off. Needs must and all that, i know its not the best plan but might have too.

Have other ways im looking at which would work aswell but need to wait and see.

GeorgeUK

The only reason my repayments should work is becuse of the Virgin card's low minimum repayment. 1st month is 3% which is basically the cost of the BT, then £25 minimum thereafter for the remaining 14 months.

With the loan, you'll need to be careful about the interest rates offerred as they are often from 7.9% but that may not actually be what you are offerred. Don't forget that applying for a catalogue or getting a mobile phone also count as credit checks.

Bismarck

possible word of warning....I did a car insurance comparison and ended up with some searches on my file...don't know if they'd affect any credit application but thought you'd like to know....

davek1

i use both experian and equifax at work 9 i'm not a debt collector!!!!)

These typr of searches including the ones that i do are known as hidden tracks. No creditor searching your file would be able to see that these searches had been carried out.

Under data prtection rules however ALL searches must be recprded so that the subject of the search is able to see who by and when searches were made.

In short these searches are recorded by the agency but are only viewable by you.

Dave

embarrassed_about_my_debt

@ George - Many thanks, dont apply for catalogues and get a work mobile so dont need to worry about those!

@ Dave - Many thanks!