Do 'Utility' checks affect overall credit scoring?

jay78

I recently applied for TV and Broadband with Telewest. I didn't realise they did credit checks. Anyway they did one credit check on the 24th of November, the application came up as a risk as I had only been at the place for 3 months so I needed to give them extra proof of address. A second check was done of the 27th of November, this was done without my knowledge. I rang up Telewest to complain, they went through my details and said that this time my application was accepted - they had twice put in the incorrect details that is why the application didn't go through the first time. They didn't say they were going to check my credit file again (besides I told them that I wanted the second credit check removed from my file from the outset) but they have! I'm going to be applying for credit soon and I am concerned that these three credit checks will affect my application.

Do you think I could write to them and ask them to remove the two other credit checks seeing as I didn't know about them?

Thanks

tom188

As far as I am aware provided they used the checks in conjunction with your application the answer is no.

In any case they cannot remove the checks, only put a "notice of correction" on your file.

jay78

Thanks, but surely having 3 searches on my credit file will lower my overall credit score?

M_Thomson

tom188 wrote:

As far as I am aware provided they used the checks in conjunction with your application the answer is no.

In any case they cannot remove the checks, only put a "notice of correction" on your file.

They can remove the checks if they want too.

M_Thomson

jay78 wrote:

Thanks, but surely having 3 searches on my credit file will lower my overall credit score?

Are you sure that all of these were proper credit checks? There is a type of search that experian do that shows on your credit report, but other lenders cannot see it. I can't remember what the type of search is called. If they are proper credit searches then they can remove them. You have to write and ask.

YorkshireBoy

M_Thomson wrote:

There is a type of search that experian do that shows on your credit report, but other lenders cannot see it. I can't remember what the type of search is called.

They're known as 'unrecorded enquiries'.

From my Experian credit report...

Unrecorded enquiries, quotations, identity verification checks, and credit report applications [ie when you request a copy of your own file] are shown for you on your copy of your report but are not seen by lenders.

jay78

The searches just state application type. It doesn't say identity check. I'm going to call them next week. Incidently does anyone know if Telewest report account status? Might look better if they do.

udydudy

yes they do. atleast they have on my credit file.

jay78

udydudy wrote:

yes they do. atleast they have on my credit file.

Is this the same for anyone else? Also has anyone had any luck with having searches removed from their credit file?

Thanks

mariusvb

jay78 wrote:

Is this the same for anyone else? Also has anyone had any luck with having searches removed from their credit file?

Thanks

I had one search removed from Experian ages ago. Dont remember what was the company name. I actually have applied for a loan, but they misspelled my name. So i contacted Experian and few weeks later search record was removed.

Then i had another company (CIT Group), who searched my credit report 3 times regarding one application. Each time application type was 'Loan'. After contacting Experian one search was removed, one was left as it was and i put a notice of correction to third one. That was more then year ago.

And recently i applied for MBNA CC. They searched my credit report twice for the same application. Both records show up as a Credit Card. So I contacted MBNA and they asked me to write to them. Send a letter of complaint this week, lets see what happens.

jay78

Thank you, that's useful.