Why do CCs ask for your bank account details?

chattychappy

Was just looking at this CC:

http://www.lloydstsb.com/campaign/cardsnovoffer.asp?WT.mc_id=CCP1003AMSM01

They ask for your bank account details (sort code/bank account number).

Assuming its not to set up a DD later in the application process, I was wondering how they use this information. Do they contact the bank? Or somehow cross check with other records, eg via a CRA.

[Deleted User]

Possibly to check you have a 'proper' current account, rather than a basic one? I believe not all current accounts are reported to the CRAs so they may not be able to check this on your file.

On the assumption that basic accounts are identifiable in some way (eg they all begin with 300 or something), it may help them to weed out customers they don't want.

But purely speculation in my case.

The only other reason I can think is is so they can send out pre-populated DD mandates to those who don't set them up with a note saying 'just sign here and it's all done'.

Plxply

I figured it was to confirm your time at the bank, your sort code identifies the bank and for me HSBC reports that the account has been open from before I was even 18 (On my credit file). They just match the bank with the one showing on your credit file. Well that's my assumption anyway.