First Direct

never-in-doubt

stephane wrote: »

First Direct must have already checked your file in some way, otherwise you would not have received the application form to sign...so if nothing else comes up at final checks, there's no reason that they should decline you. What do you think?

Hiya

yea but remember I started this thread this time (i.e May) last year - exactly the same has happened, got the forms signed and returned then they declined me..... This time last year I never had a HSBC cifas (it was placed in september) plus 1st will ask to check my HSBC account and see the internal fraud marker as well....

see my dilemma? I should really go into branch and clear my name but why should I just cos they dictate that is what I must do? I told the fraud manager to call at mine instead, he wasn't amused - so why should I have to call in to see them?

Hmphhhh :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Can you see now, why I am sceptical here? I do though have like 100 less searches than this time last year - and my 2 cifas entries have gone, being replaced with one by the parent bank i'm applying to lol

stephane_2

Send the forms back & see what happens, you won't know until you do. You may get a nice surprise....
Why did HSBC placed a cifas on your file?

never-in-doubt

stephane wrote: »

Send the forms back & see what happens, you won't know until you do. You may get a nice surprise....
Why did HSBC placed a cifas on your file?

Yea s'pose I may as well, but I know the outcome so not holding my breath! Did you ring after you got the forms, and did they sound optimistic with you? Can you remember that far back lol

Long story re cifas, they think i'm someone else that used to bank with them, ive had a lot of ID fraud in the past and this seems to have latched onto hsbc now, bummer! Just when I thought it was finished with! :mad: :mad:

stephane_2

never-in-doubt wrote: »

Yea s'pose I may as well, but I know the outcome so not holding my breath! Did you ring after you got the forms, and did they sound optimistic with you? Can you remember that far back lol

Long story re cifas, they think i'm someone else that used to bank with them, ive had a lot of ID fraud in the past and this seems to have latched onto hsbc now, bummer! Just when I thought it was finished with! :mad: :mad:

I can't remember the exact details, but applied online, I used their switching service, never spoke to them. I got first the application papers to sign & return (bank account & credit card), then few days letter got the full pack for current account but also letter saying that they could not offer me the credit card at the time, then debit card + cheque book came along...all very quick.

never-in-doubt

stephane wrote: »

I can't remember the exact details, but applied online, I used their switching service, never spoke to them. I got first the application papers to sign & return (bank account & credit card), then few days letter got the full pack for current account but also letter saying that they could not offer me the credit card at the time, then debit card + cheque book came along...all very quick.

Hmmm thanks matey - I doubt i'll be that lucky lol, may just give it a miss and not bother sending em back, i'll decide over a few stella's tonight eh? haha :beer:

never-in-doubt

Further to my thread here: First Direct

Right, having spent a good while on the phone to First Direct, using cleverly asked questions I actually managed to obtain their process and formula from them (ooooh yes I did indeedio!)....

Ok, so what they do is they perform the initial credit check (Experian only) when you apply, this is purely to see if you would meet their minimum score for accounts, they will then either accept or decline you at this point. There is no referral process for FD.

So, if it declines you this will generate an instant decline and a "Sorry" letter. However, all other passes are then sent the forms to sign which gives the bank authority to search you in detail and perform additional fraud checks. So, upon you signing and returning the forms the bank then assess your credibility by performing fraud and address checks, i.e. confirming you live where you say you do and checking with employers, if necessary - obviously at this point they also run a N Hunter and CIFAS check.

Depends on what happens at this stage depends if you get accepted or declined (again, there is no referral process as each applicant is assessed manually anyway). However the way the bank operates is they like to offer everything to you from day one, they only do one search if you apply for 10 things at outset - it does not matter. Similarly, if I apply for a credit card and the bank account, the fact I ask for a CC has no bearing on what I will be allowed as the initial credit check that was done when you originally applied, will state the amounts you are eligible to apply for at day one.

Basically, the reason you are pre-approved is because that is what the initial check has allowed - they did say their checks are a lot more stringent because they do not enforce that you hold an account for months etc before applying, they like to think they can offer you "everything" from outset - therefore she did say their scoring was one of the harshest in the industry.

In my case, I was told I have an overdraft of £1000, CC of £7200 and loan available of £16,500 which to me seems about right (circa £25k)...... (I did not apply for and do not need a loan though but it will still be available if I get accepted for the qualifying account - the first bank account - and decided to apply online for a loan of upto whatever my preapproval limit is)

However she did say that if I have a cifas then the accounts will invariably be declined, so I argued my case and explained I was a victim of ID theft and if they felt the urge to decline, would they ring and speak to me and allow me to the chance to argue my case - she has added a note to that effect so let's see eh?

I mentioned my application last year, she located it and told me that I was not declined as a result of anything from the CRA (Experian) but moreso from data held elsewhere - that to me confirms it is CIFAS as last May I had 2 cifas warnings, although this year I only have the one!

She confirmed that I had already passed the credit check and my pre-approved limits were high for a new customer, she said my behaviour score with HSBC would help that. However she did say that although as things stand she feels confident my application will be accepted, she did say she cannot guarantee anything. I even offered her a bribe - well sort of, but she was too professional me thinks - aaaaw

Hope the above helps to clarify any myths/questions that we had outstanding..... It has helped confirm to me that i'm wasting my time LOL - but sod it, the search was already done so no big deal eh?

stephane_2

I still think that you should give it a go and as you said they've already made the search and having spoken to them & explain you may have a better chance of being accepted...

never-in-doubt

stephane wrote: »

I still think that you should give it a go and as you said they've already made the search and having spoken to them & explain you may have a better chance of being accepted...

She actually told me in her opinion I was accepted, but cannot guarantee that! I asked if she'd deal with me when my forms were returned and she said it is whoever picks them up, bummer.

I am sure my mate innocent had sticky vicky add a comment on screen to pass to her when they arrived, maybe he sounds sexier than me on the phone eh? :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

stephane_2

So send everything back and argue your case if it comes to it....

never-in-doubt

stephane wrote: »

So send everything back and argue your case if it comes to it....

Ok cheers mate - will do that then.... no harm in trying is there?

If it comes good then i'll paypal you a fiver for a beer for hassling me into submission lol :beer: :beer: