Credit reports

BRIGHTHOPE

My partner, who lives with me, but with whom I have never had a financial association has recently been turned down for a credit card. Her credit rating must be sky high because her finances are, and always have been, spot on. Mine sadly, have not, and my credit rating is poor. It's clear that they've checked my credit rating because I share an address with her. I've checked my credit report, and it confirms no association, but shows the check which the credit card company made. It seems very unfair as we genuinely do have entirely seperate finances and she's being punished for my past mistakes. Are they allowed to do this?

Tixy

Did she ask for a second card in your name?
They are absolutely not allowed to check the files of other people at the same address who are not financially associated and if she didn't give your details on the application this should not have been possible. If the search definitely relates to her application and not an application of your own then contact the CRA and tell them this is an unauthorised search and you have not applied for any credit.

You might want to double check you are not shown as financially associated with either of the other 2 CRAs.

That said she may have been declined for reasons nothing to do with your file.

BRIGHTHOPE

My name wasn't mentioned in her application, it was to be her account with one card. I've checked the other CRA's and there's no mention.

The letter received by her specified Experian. My partner then phoned Tesco Finance to protest and the person on the end of the phone admitte that it must have been the connection with the address.

I've just checked my Experian report and it states very clearly that there are no records of individuals that I may be financially connected to;

Individuals that you may be financially connected to (Financial Associations)

Financial associations show details of anyone you are financially connected to. Financial connections are created by joint accounts, joint applications, joint court judgements or from information you have given to us. When you apply for credit a lender may take into account financial information about people you are financially connected with. They will need to request their own credit report to see the information held about them.

No data retrieved for this section.




It then shows the search made by Tesco finance in respect of my partners application;



Searches made by individuals that you may be financially connected to (Financial associate searches)

Financial associate searches show when your credit report information has been seen because someone you are financially connected to has made an application for credit. This information is recorded for you on your copy of your credit report only. It will not be seen by lenders.
Entry Number: U1
Name:Address:Name of applicant:Date of Birth:Date of application:18/07/11Searched by:TESCO PERSONAL FINANCE






I don't know how these things work, but it's clear that they have gone on a fishing expedition swiply because we share an address.

lisyloo

So did she give your details and authorise the search?
You haven't yet answered that.

BRIGHTHOPE

She didn't give my details. It was purely an aplication in her name. The only way they could have found my details was by searching on the address.
An electoral register check would have given them my name, but also, I have had a card with Tesco finance in the past so they would have my details on their records at this address.

She signed their application form which no doubt gave her permission for them to carry out a check on her details, but certainly not mine.

lisyloo

In that case I would do as advised and inform the CRAs (there are threee) it's an unauthorised search.
You might also want to complain to tescos.