CRA's

vwman_3

Some info needed please.
I have recently had an application for a Halifax cc turned down, also lost the appeal.
In the last 3 months I applied for both a Citi card and a Virgin card both applications accepted and im very happy with them.
What I do not understand is ONLY the Virgin card application was searched on my credit file neither the Halifax or Citi show up on either of the big two CRA's.
I have phoned Experian and Equifax and both tell me that no searches have been made by either the Halifax or Citi, but confirm the Virgin search.
Yet the Halifax in it's letter to me tell me that there was something in my credit report, what they will not say
My credit record is good so if no searches have been made what do they base their decision on. is there some way that searches are made and not show up in our reports, seems a bit odd to me..........

lindabea

This does seem very odd. It could be that Halifax for whatever reason may have considered you as a non-profitable applicant - such as perhaps if yu always pay you balance in full.

However, whatever the reason, why are you letting it bother you? Surely, if no search has been recorded by Halifax and it follows therefore that their decision to decline your application cannot be seen by anyone, then your records have not been damaged. Forget it - it's their loss!!

vwman_3

Hi Linda and thanks, it doesnt bother me as such, what does bother me is are these companies/Banks doing searches which are not recorded or (shown on our files) and they are able to view things that we cannot see, call me suspicious but that what you get having been a copper for 30 years (now retired)

Angie8

Sounds strange, but 3 possibilities spring to mind (all long shots).

1. Are there any other recent searches showing up on your reports? They may not show up as Halifax or Citi, some companies issue their credit through a third party.

2. Is it possible they're searching someone elses report ? Recently happened to my Dad, who shares the exact same name as my brother, and lives at the same address. A recent application of his was turned down as they were mixing the accounts up due to a silly admin error. Why they didn't check the birthdate is beyond me but there you go.

3. Is there any chance they're using the third CRA, Callcredit?

vwman_3

The short answer is no to all three, there is a search by the Halifax but it is 11 months old (for car insurance) Lindabea is quite right it shouldn't bother me and the good thing is less footprints on my file, mind you I had an alert last week from Experian telling me some cowboy outfit called Zopa had done a search om without permission it appears they want me to lend them money to re-lend other people they must be confusing me with Richard Branson...........

lindabea

Hello VWMAN - you're right to be suspicious especially these days with all the stories you hear about ID fraud and so on. You said you spoke to experian, have you actually explained to them that Halifax turned your application down on the basis of bad credit records, yet their search is not registered. They may be able to tell you why this could happen. I always thought that all searches are recorded, unless of course it is at the company's discretion to record the search or not.

Let us know how you get on

vwman_3

I have in fact just got off the phone to Halifax Creit Card Services in Cardiff, they tell me that yes they did do a search and as far as they are concerned it's up to the CRA to record it, I was also told that because their search was not recorded then I may as well try someone else knowing that I will have one less footprint on my file and a better chance of getting another card provider to issue a card, so there we go case closed..........

lindabea

Well ! this is a turn up for the books. I do not believe that the CRA's would update their records with every search as a separate exercise. I thought that the recording of a search is done automatically as and when it happens. Having said that though, there may be some time delay between the search and the actual record being updated. This is very confusing. If that is the case, then when you apply for a credt report, it could be misleading as it may not contain upto date information.

How can we find out how and when CRA records are updated? Real time or some days/weeks later.

Clariman

How can we find out how and when CRA records are updated? Real time or some days/weeks later.

I believe that the CRA record will be updated in realtime (or near realtime). I would certainly expect it to be updated that way for an online application where the credit check was done as part of the application process. I have certainly seen this in action where I apply for a credit card, then check my credit report online the next day and there is the search.

Clariman

Leenkheng

I'm guessing here but I would think that CRAs take a little longer to show search details - I'm trying at the moment to get Experian to update their records regarding my electoral role details and they took 20 days just to answer my letter - and still cannot find my details on the electoral role that was published on 1st Dec, which means they had a month to update their records before I asked them to.

jonnyb

Just a quick opinion here.
I work for Experian, on the business credit side, but I know enough about the consumer credit side.
Every credit search, by law, has to be recorded. They are live, instant updates. The CRA's do not run any "updates" - it is all automatic.

I cannot imagine a situation where a lender can do a search and it not leave a footprint.
VWman, if you are bothered enough, you can request a "subject data access search" (or something similar) from the Halifax, whereby they have to provide you with every bit of information they have on you, which would include their records of the search, be it paper or electronic. However, there is a fee - might be £10 - not sure, so it depends how bothered you are.