Do 'Utility' checks affect overall credit scoring?

tweep

Sorry to highjack the post could anyone explain the difference between a "soft search" and a credit search?

xgingerx

From Experian Website

Previous searches show the names of organisations that have seen some or all of the information recorded on your credit report within the past 12 months. Searches of your credit report should all have been made with your consent. Most will relate to credit applications you have made but some may be routine checks by your lenders on accounts you already have. (soft searches) Unrecorded Enquiries, quotations, identify verification checks and credit report applications are shown for you on your copy of your report but are not seen by lenders.

So soft searches do not affect your score , but actual applications for credit cards / loans / mobile contracts etc are taken into account.

jay78

xgingerx wrote: »

So soft searches do not affect your score , but actual applications for credit cards / loans / mobile contracts etc are taken into account.

Unfortunately 'utility' searches are not 'soft searches'.

Experian_company_representative

xgingerx wrote: »

by the way duplicate searches can be removed quickly and easily either by contacting the company direct or by raising a query with the credit reference agency.

Spot on xgingerx.

All application type searches (whether credit card, mortgage or utility) are visible to lenders and could affect your credit rating, in a large number.

MABLE

Lloyds Bank credit searched me and without my knowledge. Today I receive a letter from Experien advising it has been deleted. Also I did a switch to BGas but was not advised they would be doing a credit search. I never took up their service but the application type is recorded as Utility. Would this have the same affect as a credit card search.

jay78

JamesJones wrote: »

Spot on xgingerx.

All application type searches (whether credit card, mortgage or utility) are visible to lenders and could affect your credit rating, in a large number.

Yes but what is considered a duplicate search? I have 2 in addition to the original search, however they are on different dates (albeit within a short period of time).

xgingerx

Hi, when I applied with Natwest, there were 2 searches on the same day and then another about 10 days later, becasue i was not a customer they passed it onto their wimbledon branch to do a further check so that was the 3rd Search.

They removed the duplicate search from the original application and the 3rd one as this is classed as a duplicate as it was for the same application.

jay78

I spoke to Virgin and they say they are going to send a form to Experian to have the additional searches removed. Apparently Experian will write to me to inform me of this!

JamesJones can you confirm if this is true?

thanks in advance