Search against my credit file - Comet

panholio

Hi,

Wasn't sure which forum to post this is so apologies if it is wrong.

On Monday of this week I attempted to order a fridge freezer online with comet using my credit card. They royally cocked it up saying that the item was in stock online when in reality they didn't have any in stock. On Wednesday (25th) I cancelled the order as the nearest delivery date was after christmas.

I have the equifax credit watch service - this morning I get an email telling me there has been a change to my credit file.

I have a a look and get this message:

"COMET GROUP PLC-192BUSINESS , a Third party company, has made an inquiry against your credit report on 25/11/2009 . If you were not aware of or did not consent to this search, contact COMET GROUP PLC-192BUSINESS or Equifax for clarification. "



I have called Comet and they claim there is "no way they could have done a credit search" but they did so "some checks as I didn't give a landline number when ordering".

How can this have happened? I am mad! What do I do?

I certainly did not consent to any search.

cifpower

Contact Equifax and dispute it

Mightyowl

Was it a full credit search or the identity check?
If it was the identity check it won't effect you're credit file.

panholio

All I get is the above message on the "Credit Watch" product I have. I'm not sure?

cifpower

Mightyowl wrote: »

Was it a full credit search or the identity check?
If it's was the identity check it won't effect you're credit file.

It should not matter. The OP did not consent to it

Mightyowl

Get a print out of you're credit file, send it recorded delivery to Comet's finance department, with a forwarding letter stating you've not given consent and will take the appropriate action to get this search removed. Make sure you state how unhappy you are regarding the matter.

lisyloo

I suspect this is a identity check which other lenders will not see.
I also suspect you did agree to it when you ticked the "I agree to the terms and conditions box".
It likely that you could not haave purchased the product without ticking this box.

So if I were you I would double-check it's the "type" and if it's identity then forget about it and maybe in future spend a few seconds looking at the Ts&Cs.
I don't mean read the entire thing which is long and arduous but maybe do a search for words like credit and check.

YorkshireBoy

cifpower wrote: »

The OP did not consent to it

Agreeing to condition 3.3 when placing the order would indicate that they did...

"We reserve the right to carry out further checks to verify your age..."

https://secure.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/advice/423/Terms-and-Conditions?cm_sp=Footer-_-terms-_-default *

It would appear these further checks take the form of an unrecorded enquiry made with the CRAs and/or FPAs.


* Loosely connected with products for 'adult' purchase only but I'm sure they'd make it stick!

panholio

If that is the case then it looks like I must have agreed to it.

I still think it's a bit off to have done this on an out of stock item!

Thanks for the advice guys (and the slightly condescending tone lisyloo )

EDIT: I will check the type of search on my file and I will write to them any how as I think they should have called me when they did these "checks". They must see a fridge as an "adult" item!

YorkshireBoy

panholio wrote: »

...I will write to them any how...

I wouldn't. I'd do something more productive with my time. As already stated, this 'ID Verification' check will have absolutely no impact on your credit history/rating whatsoever since it can't be seen by anyone but yourself and the CRA.

as I think they should have called me when they did these "checks".

What would you have done? Cancelled the order?

panholio

I meant in light of the fact that the fridge in question was in fact out of stock! They did these searches on an out of stock item.

I've done a check on my file - it's an "unclassified" search.

Case closed!