Credit Reference Agencies - Really Use Who UPDATE II

Rose123

Andy_Ches wrote: »

It may be an unrecorded search also...i.e. they haven't searched your files for the purposes of a credit check or quotation.

I know, im aware of that

I was just stating this because i did not think it was possible to perform the alleged 'invisible searches'

never-in-doubt

Right people - just got off the phone to the ICO and they were horrified and said that if any company, regardless of status (i.e. credit or employment) were to perform an invisible search then they would be crucified and have their licence revoked.

It is highly illegal things to do by lenders or employers and cannot be done - the CRA's have systems in place to block it now although that said, she did say it can be done on certain systems (mainly kept from the old days) but should be a defunct practice and the ICO want to hear of anyone that has had an invisible search performed against them.

I joked, how will they know if they been searched - its invisible! LOL.

Seriously though, no employer or lender can search without leaving a footprint, when I mentioned V12 & Amex she laughed and said that both these companies know better and to their knowledge it is incorrect. She then asked if I want to formally complain. I said i'd email her the (Proliant) link as it was him that used the libellous (only if they don't do secret searches) comment by quoting these two lenders. Personally, I know for a fact Amex don't do this cos I have 30 searches from various amex depts! lol

now this should be put to bed, its bollox - as I said from the start. Anyone else care to think that invisible searches exist, please ring the ICO.

Rose123

never-in-doubt wrote: »

Right people - just got off the phone to the ICO and they were horrified and said that if any company, regardless of status (i.e. credit or employment) were to perform an invisible search then they would be crucified and have their licence revoked.

It is highly illegal things to do by lenders or employers and cannot be done - the CRA's have systems in place to block it now although that said, she did say it can be done on certain systems (mainly kept from the old days) but should be a defunct practice and the ICO want to hear of anyone that has had an invisible search performed against them.

I joked, how will they know if they been searched - its invisible! LOL.

Seriously though, no employer or lender can search without leaving a footprint, when I mentioned V12 & Amex she laughed and said that both these companies know better and to their knowledge it is incorrect. She then asked if I want to formally complain. I said i'd email her the (Proliant) link as it was him that used the libellous (only if they don't do secret searches) comment by quoting these two lenders. Personally, I know for a fact Amex don't do this cos I have 30 searches from various amex depts! lol

now this should be put to bed, its bollox - as I said from the start. Anyone else care to think that invisible searches exist, please ring the ICO.

Thanks for the update hun

x

never-in-doubt

Rose123 wrote: »

Thanks for the update hun

x

Hey babe - hows it going? your post count is improving lol....... you getting addicted already?

greenmantle

my latest searches:

Experian (Credit Expert):
First Direct (current account)
and
Lloyds TSB (credit card)

Equifax:
02 (for an iPhone contract applied for online, didn't show up on EX)


Callcredit?
- can't get in to check! (no others to cover though)

never-in-doubt

greenmantle wrote: »

my latest searches:

Experian (Credit Expert):
First Direct (current account)
and
Lloyds TSB (credit card)

Equifax:
02 (for an iPhone contract applied for online, didn't show up on EX)


Callcredit?
- can't get in to check! (no others to cover though)

Have you got 1st direct account mate? I hope you get it - I am waiting to see what they say as they refused me and I rung and had a long chat and they are reconsidering...... maybe no news is good news lol?

greenmantle

Yup, I did get the First Direct, with standard overdraft (didn't bother returning the credit card agreement) - they will have had the EX data, plus over ten years of HSBC (relatively) positive behaviour - basically, I'd just paid off a loan and my HSBC credit card is being paid off every month.

The LTSB credit card was a few months ago, and they turned me down. I think I had too much credit, due to a massive MBNA limit which I've since shut down. Also, my LTSB behaviour history (old overdraft, now paid off, but long-lived) probably wasn't so great.

never-in-doubt

greenmantle wrote: »

Yup, I did get the First Direct, with standard overdraft (didn't bother returning the credit card agreement) - they will have had the EX data, plus over ten years of HSBC (relatively) positive behaviour - basically, I'd just paid off a loan and my HSBC credit card is being paid off every month.

The LTSB credit card was a few months ago, and they turned me down. I think I had too much credit, due to a massive MBNA limit which I've since shut down. Also, my LTSB behaviour history (old overdraft, now paid off, but long-lived) probably wasn't so great.

cheers, I guess thats what helped you - i've only got 6 months with HSBC but still, it was better to fail a score than the credit related fail.... lol. At least I know when i've lived here 3yrs (in a month or two) my score should increase as no need to provide a previous addy which I feel always causes issues!

Thanks for info - handy to know...... :beer:

I'll keep this updated with my progress lol

greenmantle

Yes, I have to admit my electoral roll data isn't a plus for me: registered for less than two years at this address, gap in the middle, then two years at a previous address. So I think the longstanding HSBC account was probably key. Also the fact that they could see my employer paying in my salary for the last four years....

My parents are with HSBC, and were with the old Midland (as I was as a kid) - this may not count now, but my mother always harped on about being linked with a solid account at the same bank (via a home address) and I think, comparing LTSB and HSBC, that building up the customer history is crucial.

HSBC tried to throw a 100% graduate mortgage my way in about 2005 (during the Old Ways) and I know they didn't do a credit check then, they were basing it purely on my behaviour score. I didn't bite, as it still wasn't enough to buy a shed around here...

Cash_Flow

never-in-doubt wrote: »

Right people - just got off the phone to the ICO and they were horrified and said that if any company, regardless of status (i.e. credit or employment) were to perform an invisible search then they would be crucified and have their licence revoked.

It is highly illegal things to do by lenders or employers and cannot be done - the CRA's have systems in place to block it now although that said, she did say it can be done on certain systems (mainly kept from the old days) but should be a defunct practice and the ICO want to hear of anyone that has had an invisible search performed against them.

I joked, how will they know if they been searched - its invisible! LOL.

Seriously though, no employer or lender can search without leaving a footprint, when I mentioned V12 & Amex she laughed and said that both these companies know better and to their knowledge it is incorrect. She then asked if I want to formally complain. I said i'd email her the (Proliant) link as it was him that used the libellous (only if they don't do secret searches) comment by quoting these two lenders. Personally, I know for a fact Amex don't do this cos I have 30 searches from various amex depts! lol

now this should be put to bed, its bollox - as I said from the start. Anyone else care to think that invisible searches exist, please ring the ICO.

V12 finance credit searches appear on your credit report as either Clode plc or Hitachi finance.

V12 provide a point of sale finance link to the two finance arms mentioned above and charge a nice £49.00 if your application for credit is successful;)

I am with you on this one Mr NID.