Unnecessary credit check for mobile contract quandry

nickmack

I went to Phones4U to get a new mobile contract.

Originally, they were going to sign me up with Orange, but after running a credit check, before signing, I read the contract and noticed a discrepancy in what the advisor had told me and the contract.

The upshot of this was that in order to do a deal, I'd go on Vodafone instead. This obviously resulted in another credit check and I signed up.

I got a call from Phones4U 'Customer Excellence' about my experience and I explained what happened. They apologised about the mis-advice and said to contact Orange to ask them to remove the initial credit check.

The problem is that I can't see why Orange would entertain the idea of removing the check. Unless they knew the background, they wouldn't have any valid reason. Phones4U indicated they wouldn't expect to be asked by Orange regarding the circumstances.

I wonder if it's even worth pursuing this. I have visions of being passed all over the place, with no one wanting to take responsibility. Anyone been in this situation?

ishouldbeinlectures

I work in Phones 4u (hopefully not for much longer) and see people being credit checked several times for certain things. I doubt orange will actually remove anything from your credit files because they aren't the people who instigated the credit check. It costs hundreds of pounds to have something wiped from your credit file so I very much doubt orange will pay up.

Personally I don't think it would be worth the stress or the hassle to yourself chasing this up, especially as the check will disappear off your credit file shortly.

nickmack

ishouldbeinlectures wrote: »

I doubt orange will actually remove anything from your credit files because they aren't the people who instigated the credit check. It costs hundreds of pounds to have something wiped from your credit file so I very much doubt orange will pay up.

Therein lies the problem, the check was instigated by P4U, but carried out by Orange. Without the co-operation of P4U, I can't see why Orange would have a reason to remove it.

Personally I don't think it would be worth the stress or the hassle to yourself chasing this up, especially as the check will disappear off your credit file shortly.

I'm thinking that. Although unlikely to have much effect on me, it's just one of those things that are annoying.

ishouldbeinlectures

If it was a genuine mistake on the consultants behalf I would say just leave it because it is going to disappear shortly. However if you felt that they did it with the intent to mislead you then I probably would pursue it because although it is disappearing shortly it is P4u's fault that it happened in the first place.

grimlea

ishouldbeinlectures wrote: »

especially as the check will disappear off your credit file shortly.

what do you mean by shortly?

I check my credit file regularly, would you call 3 years shortly?

grimlea

i spoke to equifax today whilst at work & they informed me that they can keep records of searches on the credit file for up to 7 years - hardly the "short" amount of time quoted above.

i'm not sure what action you can take, but i would recommend taking advice from equifax & experian & making formal complaints against phones for u

Doshamento

nickmack wrote: »

I wonder if it's even worth pursuing this.

As Phones4U have already apologised and claimed admittance of mis-advice or mis-selling to you at point of sale, then the first credit check referred to Orange should be voided and removed by them.

You should contact Orange, asking them to remove the initial credit check and use Phones4U admittance as back up.

What have you got to lose by asking them?

Worst case scenario is 2 Experian credit searches added to your credit file... all on one day and to stay on for the next 12 months - when it really should have been only 1.