Should a prepaid internet order cause a search on my credit record?

ernie-money

Hi,
I know this isn't directly credit card related, but I couldn't work out which board to post it on, so please feel free to tell me where else to post, if there is somewhere better!

I placed an order on the River Island website a little while ago, paid by credit card & thought no more of it. I have now however just checked my Equifax credit report, and found this alert:

RIVER ISLAND CLOTHING CO-192BUSI , a Third party company, has made an inquiry against your credit report on 25/02/2011 . If you were not aware of or did not consent to this search, contact RIVER ISLAND CLOTHING CO-192BUSI or Equifax for clarification.


I'm just a bit confused, and wondering how come they've made a search, when I didn't apply for credit, I paid for the order in full? I realise it's not a big deal when it comes to my credit rating or anything, but I just don't understand why they've done it, and if every company you order stuff from are allowed to do this...?

Hope that someone can explain!

Atom

What kind of search is it does it say ? does it come under " Other Searches " ? if so lenders won't see this and it was most likely a check for fraud etc down those lines !

ernie-money

No idea - all the information it gives is what I pasted in my post above. It's just I've never seen it before, so threw me a bit...

Atom

If you check your report it should come under the "Other Searches" column.

lisyloo

I suspect this is an identity check.
If so then it won't count against you as a credit check.
Comapnies do this to just check you are who you say you are to check against fraud.

chexum

These kind of searches will be credit searches only if the company actually opens a credit account for you, which is not that infrequent, by the way. In this company's case, their t&cs don't mention any credit facilities, but spell out the identity search:

"We may undertake searches with credit reference agencies for the purpose of verifying your identity and the Personal Information You submit as part of an Order To do so the agencies may check your Personal Information against any particulars on any database (public or otherwise) to which they have access..."