Two full searches by Barclays for one bank account.

PhenoM

Hi

Just checked my Experian report and Barclays has done a full credit search, twice. One on the 13th and another after I received documents to sign and send back to them along with the signature card.

This is not what I was expecting, and in my eyes is plain wrong. Is there any way I can get this additional search removed ? Has anyone else come across this issue ?

Thanks.

stclair

Its very common just pop into your branch and ask for the additional search to be removed.

Alternatively contact the credit reference agency(s) direct and request its removal.

PhenoM

Thanks stclair. But I applied online. Should I call up Barclays customer care, or is there any other number I need to call at Barclays. I will also be calling Experian up.

YorkshireBoy

The best way to deal with it is this...

http://www.barclays.co.uk/ContactUs/Howtocomplain/P1242558122337

...isn't it?

chillimaid

PhenoM wrote: »

Hi

Just checked my Experian report and Barclays has done a full credit search, twice. One on the 13th and another after I received documents to sign and send back to them along with the signature card.

This is not what I was expecting, and in my eyes is plain wrong. Is there any way I can get this additional search removed ? Has anyone else come across this issue ?

Thanks.

I had 3 full searches on my report from Barclays plus the id check they do initially on Equifax. It isn't on but why does their system do this?

Gromitt

Probably automated, I get the same from Halifax when applying for a CC. Just contact the CRA by email and request removal of the additional searches.

YorkshireBoy

I would have guessed the second (and subsequent) searches were carried out manually by an underwriter? Perhaps because the applicant was borderline? Or maybe to audit their automatic credit scoring system?

But, if they are automated then it's clearly unfair. So, as I said earlier, my belief is that it's better to register a formal complaint. That way, when they analyse the complaints they'll see a pattern emerging and hopefully do something to eliminate it. Prevention is always better than the cure.

Better still, if enough complaints get through to the FOS/ICO, their analysis of complaint type will ensure that Barclays (and others) are informed this practice is not on!

stclair

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

I would have guessed the second (and subsequent) searches were carried out manually by an underwriter? Perhaps because the applicant was borderline? Or maybe to audit their automatic credit scoring system?

But, if they are automated then it's clearly unfair. So, as I said earlier, my belief is that it's better to register a formal complaint. That way, when they analyse the complaints they'll see a pattern emerging and hopefully do something to eliminate it. Prevention is always better than the cure.

Better still, if enough complaints get through to the FOS/ICO, their analysis of complaint type will ensure that Barclays (and others) are informed this practice is not on!

I think a similar issue may have been raised before.

http://www.information-age.com/channels/information-management/news/1675978/barclays-software-glitch-damaged-womans-credit-rating.thtml

YorkshireBoy

From the above link...

Following Robinson's complaint, the Information Commissioner's Offices ruled that the three supplementary searches were unnecessary, and said it was "unlikely that Barclays Bank has complied with the requirements of the [Data Protection Act]."

“This is because it appears unlikely that Barclays has processed the complainant’s personal data fairly, when it conducted four searches of their credit report in connection with their mortgage application."

The Information Commissioner decided not to take action against Barclays, however.

Barclays says that it is updating its software to prevent this happening again, and has installed temporary safeguards.

So bearing in mind that story was being reported last November 2011, the 'offence' was committed several months prior?

Ample time, I would have thought, to implement a fix...let alone "temporary safeguards"!

All the more reason for the OP to go down the FOS/ICO route. Then hopefully the ICO this time will take some action!

jalexa

PhenoM wrote: »

Is there any way I can get this additional search removed?.

If you are a member, the CRA *may* contact the "searcher" on your behalf. If they do not either do that or advise you to contact the "searcher" directly you would have grounds for complaint against the CRA.

I strongly advise writing to the "searcher" directly at the address provided in the Credit Report. You can phrase your letter to make it clear that duplicate searches should be removed from all CRA's, something which may not be clear if you delegate the request to a single CRA. You can also request a modest 'ex-gratia' payment to allow you to subsequently check that the duplicate entries have been removed.

Where I have been subjected to duplicate searches I have never failed to get the duplicate searches removed and the 'ex-gratia' payment, though it sometimes takes an escalation to achieve both.

Good luck.

stclair

jalexa wrote: »

If you are a member, the CRA *may* contact the "searcher" on your behalf. If they do not either do that or advise you to contact the "searcher" directly you would have grounds for complaint against the CRA.

I strongly advise writing to the "searcher" directly at the address provided in the Credit Report. You can phrase your letter to make it clear that duplicate searches should be removed from all CRA's, something which may not be clear if you delegate the request to a single CRA. You can also request a modest 'ex-gratia' payment to allow you to subsequently check that the duplicate entries have been removed.

Where I have been subjected to duplicate searches I have never failed to get the duplicate searches removed and the 'ex-gratia' payment, though it sometimes takes an escalation to achieve both.

Good luck.

I have never know an address to show next to a credit search is this a new feature?. A contact address is normally shown once the account has been opened and has started reported to the CRA though.

In this instance though I can confirm the contact address is:

BARCLAYS BANK, DATA EXCEPTIONS TEAM, 2ND FLOOR, MERIDIAN HOUSE, ANCHOR BOULEVARD, CROSSWAYS BUSINESS PARK, DARTFORD, DA2 6QU