multiple searches

nova_dee

Tonight, I thought of looking through my spam folder an invite from some company but to my surprise, there are a lot of alerts about search on my credit file.

I only have two credit cards both of which are Barclays. I have never applied for anything big in amount in the last year or more. My previous loan from Barclays was paid in full middle of 2013. My phone, mobile, internet, credit cards are always paid in full. Gas and electric are prepaid. Council tax and water are paid monthly.

So I am now afraid I do not know where to ask and what to do. Has anyone accessed my credit file and for what purpose? where can i inquire about this?

Are my data protected and what will be the effect in my credit rating?

Hope someone can help me please...

thanks in advance

The_Boss

I don't really understand - how do you know there are lots of searches? What was the source of the 'alerts'?

nova_dee

It was in my spam folder...an example was from equifax and experian saying there was an update on my credit file...and there is one from ICM and ADP (companies I dont know what kind ) saying that there was a background check done on my credit file. I dont have any big purchase only small ones where I use my credit card. I dont even know what my credit rating is - I havent filed for one...

The_Boss

A background check isn't the same as a credit check - I don't think lenders will even see them.

ICM are a research agency...did you ever do any mystery shopping or market research work?

nova_dee

im not quite sure...because i normally get bored by those researches and surveys though im not really sure if I have as well. Can I aska question? Is it safe to request for a credit file or do I need to see my credit file? Im sorry, I am not very knowledgeable of credit reports.

thanks for your reply, btw...

The_Boss

I'd request a copy of your statutory £2 reports from Experian and Equifax if you've not seen them for a year...but if you are getting emails from Experian and Equifax about searches it usually means you have a current online subscription with them. Is this the case?

It is safe to request your credit files and checking once or twice a year is recommended.

cherrub

Have you looked closely at the sender address to make sure it's actually from Equifax? My spam folder normally has a few "Eqifax Alerts" but they are genuine spam and nothing to do with Equifax when you look at the underlying sender address.

The_Boss

cherrub wrote: »

Have you looked closely at the sender address to make sure it's actually from Equifax? My spam folder normally has a few "Eqifax Alerts" but they are genuine spam and nothing to do with Equifax when you look at the underlying sender address.

Interesting - good point. If you don't have a subsctiption then they could be fake and have a link to a virus

nova_dee

I have not subscribed to any credit research companies, esp Experian and Equifax. SO i guess these are spams?

If I am going to check my credit file, which is the best and safe way?

Thank you very much for your replies.