Santander 0% offer recieved in post - would they have credit checked me in advance?

jon-jo

Hi;

I recieved a santander application / offer today for a 0% card.

I had believed that before sending these offers to people, cc companies would 'soft' check a persons credit score in advance. Is this correct? I am unsure since my credit score is currently poor.

Also, if I did apply for this card to transfer debt from a non-0% card, I assume they will perform a further 'hard' credit check, which may then in itslf affect my score (I am trying to create a 6 month period+ of no application for credit in order to improve my core)

So, unsure what to do, if its the case santander are happy with my current score (thus sending me the offer) having a new 0% offer would reduce my interest, but if they have not checked my score and turn me down, it will take longer to improve my score.

I Suppose he question is 'Are offers recieved directly from cc companies more likely to provide a positive response to an application?'

Decisions, Decisions.

JJ

YorkshireBoy

jon-jo wrote: »

I Suppose he question is 'Are offers recieved directly from cc companies more likely to provide a positive response to an application?'

The answer is, I'm afraid, best given as 'sometimes'!

I've had guaranteed card offers from Halifax, HSBC, and First Direct. The first 2 were processed without a problem but First Direct took some CII* data from the CRAs (akin to the 'soft search' you mention) and subsequently declined me the 'guaranteed' card.


* Consumer Indebtedness Index

DizzleUK

Both myself and my partner have received the same thing this morning. I doubt very much that they have done any sort of credit check unless they have substantially relaxed their eligibility criteria.

Robert_Roberston

I was the same for the MBNA then got turned down shouldn't have applied really...

bottleofred

Hi jonjo,

Companies cannot make a credit search without your permission. So these offers are just sent out randomly and for those who apply & meet Santanders lending criteria, they get a credit card.

Superheavy

Here's me thinking I was special in getting exactly the same offer in the post. I'm not particularly managing my credit score for anything in the future, so I'm probably going to have a look at applying. The one thing I'm wondering is how they've come to the "Assumed Credit Limit" figure, they've suggested for me it would be 1200.

drbesty

I've had one of these, I assumed it was because I had existing finance with Santander, my 'assumed credit limit' was also £1200, I've applied anyway as it was a good offer

coolesticeking

Had one also, it does state that you have not been approved and still need to be credit checked upon receiving the application.

I'm not having any more credit anyways now, but when I noticed the Santander envelope I just laughed!