martin i need advice - credit checking

hkwintrip

hello, dont know if this is the right board but does anybody know the rules and regs around credit checking?
i was refused a credit card but there is nothing wrong with my credit as far as i know so i joined experian to check, and this is what the problem is:
i joined a recruitment agency that specialise in the financial industry. when i joined i signed an agreement that they could do a credit check on me, which is standard procedure.
i have used this recruitment agency before (about 8 months previously) and they did ONE check on me.
This time though, my credit report shows that they have done SIX checks on me (one for every address i have lived at over the last six years - i was a student for some of the time and i have moved a couple of times since).
I have phoned to complain, but each time they tell me that they have every right to do six checks because i signed the form. This is despite the fact that they only did one check on me the first time round (and there is no difference between taht application and this one). Plus there is NO WAY i would have signed anything if i thought they were going to do six checks, no way jose. the wording of the form is very broad and general so god knows. my next step is to complain in writing, and then i suppose i will go to the financial ombudsman...
surely they cannot do this?

GeorgeUK

I would also contact the credit reference agenct that you got your copy of your credit file from. They should be able to tell you if this is allowed and who to complain to if you wish to take it further. Must admit that i would be up in arms about this too.