Credit Check information

Essenchill

This might be quite a basic question, but what details does a bank need in order to carry out a credit check?

OK, so what happened was this, I applied (last week) to open a new current account with a bank and during the over-the-phone process they confirmed they would need to run a credit check in order to open the account. Not a problem. Confirmed a number of details with them in order to do so. Was told this was all ok and the account could be opened (credit check was fine...)

Paper work began to arrive at the end of last week. On it my surname is spelt incorrectly. Now, in order to run a credit check, wouldn't they have had to put my name into the system with other details?

If my name was wrong, is it not some miracle that someone with the incorrect spelling shares date of birth etc.. for the credit check to go through? Would it not fail if the person was not found? Or would i go through as if it was a 'new' person? Anyone have any insight into this?!

noah271007

Essenchill wrote: »

This might be quite a basic question, but what details does a bank need in order to carry out a credit check?

OK, so what happened was this, I applied (last week) to open a new current account with a bank and during the over-the-phone process they confirmed they would need to run a credit check in order to open the account. Not a problem. Confirmed a number of details with them in order to do so. Was told this was all ok and the account could be opened (credit check was fine...)

Paper work began to arrive at the end of last week. On it my surname is spelt incorrectly. Now, in order to run a credit check, wouldn't they have had to put my name into the system with other details?

If my name was wrong, is it not some miracle that someone with the incorrect spelling shares date of birth etc.. for the credit check to go through? Would it not fail if the person was not found? Or would i go through as if it was a 'new' person? Anyone have any insight into this?!

I would have thought the credit check would only pass if there is a match with the information you provided on the application form. Is your surname a common surname as it can get mixed up with others. I suggest you call or even pay a visit to the branch and explain what happened and take it from there.

I think it is a minor error by the bank regarding your surname incorrect spelling but double check with bank.

Essenchill

Thanks noah - I agree it is a minor error and it's easily corrected.

However, I think it may turn into a major error if the bank hasn't actually carried out a credit check on me when they think they have.

My surname isn't that common really, and that I can make out, the incorrect spelling also didn't make a common surname.

This made me wonder that if the incorrect surname didn't go with my date of birth to somehow create a existing person if the credit check would automatically fail. I don't know enough about the credit check system to know if giving false details (ie. giving a false date of birth) would flag up an issue and make it fail.

I did phone the bank as soon as the paperwork started to arrive to correct my name on their systems, which was done without a problem, however the debit card was obviously already processed and arrived a few days later, with my name spelt incorrectly.

I called into a branch to sort this one out (I was told to call into the branch over the phone this time) and again, not a problem ordering an amended card. The helpful cashier even pointed out that I could have used the original one, as since everything is mostly chip-and-pin these days no one would probably notice... :rolleyes:

Should I ask them to do another credit check, does anyone know if a successful credit check can be run against a incorrectly spelt name...?

noah271007

Essenchill wrote: »

Thanks noah - I agree it is a minor error and it's easily corrected.

However, I think it may turn into a major error if the bank hasn't actually carried out a credit check on me when they think they have.

My surname isn't that common really, and that I can make out, the incorrect spelling also didn't make a common surname.

This made me wonder that if the incorrect surname didn't go with my date of birth to somehow create a existing person if the credit check would automatically fail. I don't know enough about the credit check system to know if giving false details (ie. giving a false date of birth) would flag up an issue and make it fail.

I did phone the bank as soon as the paperwork started to arrive to correct my name on their systems, which was done without a problem, however the debit card was obviously already processed and arrived a few days later, with my name spelt incorrectly.

I called into a branch to sort this one out (I was told to call into the branch over the phone this time) and again, not a problem ordering an amended card. The helpful cashier even pointed out that I could have used the original one, as since everything is mostly chip-and-pin these days no one would probably notice... :rolleyes:

Should I ask them to do another credit check, does anyone know if a successful credit check can be run against a incorrectly spelt name...?

No don't do that. They might have carried out a credit check in your correct surname...but on paperwork it is showing your incorrect surname. Mistakes have happened and will happen again!

Do you know which credit reference agency they used to credit search you? You can always order a credit report and find out.

It looks like a minor error...so i would advise you to wait until new card replacement comes through and double check your credit report.

Essenchill

If I check my credit report and see no check was carried out on it for the new current account, would you suggest any action?

noah271007

Essenchill wrote: »

If I check my credit report and see no check was carried out on it for the new current account, would you suggest any action?

Yes contact your bank and find out why this is the case. Make sure you know what CRA they used to credit search. The search is recorded in near real time, so it should be there. If it is there, check for mistakes.
Hope I've helped you out today.