Orange/Experian Credit Check

PaulH068

Can anybody confirm for me how a credit check works for a company like Orange?

I've just been knocked back for a contract phone by them. It must be something to do with the fact that I moved house fairly recently, because I've never had any credit problems, but the girl I spoke to refused to investigate. She said that Experian had declined me, and Orange don't know why, they just take Experian's word for it.

I always thought that Experian are only allowed to provide impartial, factual information, and it's up to the company requesting the credit check to determine whether I constitute a good or bad risk. In fact, I was under the impression that if Experian were to say to Orange "don't take this guy on, he's a bad credit risk", that would be a serious breach of the data protection laws. Am I right?

So in effect, what has happened, is Experian have provided some information about me, and something in that information has made Orange decide to decline me.

I think the girl on the phone was just fobbing me off to get rid of me, but I'd quite like to be sure of my ground before I chase it up.

Thanks!

pimento

Why don't you pay the £1 and order a copy of your file from Experian? Maybe there's something on there that you're not aware of.

Jo_F

Companies like Orange do not get the information held about you, they will be given either a yes or no, or will be given a score number, depending on what their criterior is, that number could fail you or pass you. And Orange cannot investigate why you have been declined or given that score, all they can ask the agencies is 'what's the credit status of this person'.

Have you registered on the elctoral roll? that's usually a sticking point for some people, and the lack of time in the property could be another one.