"Settled" items on credit file

ElmerFudd

I have a number of "settled" items on my credit file. 2 with regard to my old phone account from my last 2 addresses and 1 with regard to my old gas supplier. I also have a search on my credit file from the new gas supplier and 5 searches last month from Halifax (4 for address searches) and one for something called "Identity check to comply with anti money laundering regulations".
My first question is - are these "settled" items all paid up or have they just settled them (as far as I am concerned I am all paid up with them and Virgin even sent me some money back for overpayment). Secondly will the searches effect my planned upcoming application for a 0% credit card? Thirdly is the Halifax "anti money laundering" check typical? I am not even sure why they would need to have checked my file in the last month as I haven't even applied for anything through them.

ElmerFudd

Anyone have any idea about any of this?

Daisy_Duck

Settled accounts are closed ones and as such any credit limits previously associated with them would not be taken into account by potential new lenders.

The searches you mention are only visible to you and not to lenders so if you are about to apply for a new credit card the lender will not see them- they only see applications for credit.
Identity checks/anti money laundering checks are normal and common so don't worry.

Tixy

Settled means the account is paid up (well very occasionally it might mean the debt has been closed by the creditor and sold to a DCA) but if you know you have paid yours then it means paid up.
Have you recently opened a new account with halifax?

ElmerFudd

Thanks Daisy Duck and Tixy - I was a little concerned it may effect my application.
Tixy - the only thing I have done with Halifax in the last month or so is close my credit card account due to the APR hikes. I'm still paying it off though. This wouldn't have shown up though would it because of that?