Questions about soft credit checks

CPD82UK

Hi, I recently registered with checkmyfile.com to check my credit report using their free trial offer and I have some questions regarding soft credit checks I can't find any answers for so hope someone can clarify for me.


1) As I understand, by me registering to see my credit report on their site it will count as a soft check with all 3 CRA's. Is that true?


2) How long do soft checks stay on file?


3) I have already logged into my account with them to see my report a few times already in the trial month and will this count as further soft checks to my file or is that only when you sign up?


Thanks.

YorkshireBoy

You do realise that 'soft searches' aren't seen by anyone but yourself (and the CRAs/checkmyfile), so have no impact on your files whatsoever?


You maybe also don't realise that a checkmyfile report DOES NOT show you as much information as you'd get by going to the CRAs directly?

CPD82UK

Yes I am aware soft searches are not seen by lenders, I simply want to know what the score is with them in regards to the questions. Can you help?


Are you saying it is better to get a stat report for £2 in future from each CRA than keep using checkmyfile? Thanks.

DCFC79

No harm in getting a report from all 3 CRA's to get a better picture. Not all lenders may report to all 3 agencies, some may just report to 1 or 2.

CPD82UK

I have a question regarding an old debt.


I'm currently on a DMP setup with Mackenzie Hall for an old loan with Black Horse that was taken out about 13 years ago. It was passed to other DCA's over the years with no payment to any of them before ending up with Mack Hall about 2-3 years ago.


Upon checking my report there is no mention of this debt plan/current payments or any history of it at all on all 3 CRA's. Once I finish paying it off will it suddenly appear as 'satisfied'?


I had another unpaid CC debt from years ago which I settled with a lump sum discount in 2011 and that is not on my account either.

So will the Mack Hall debt rear it's ugly head or stay away?

JKSandy

Accounts drop off 6 years from account closed/defaulted which is probably why you can't see them. They can not reappear.

YorkshireBoy

CPD82UK wrote: »

I simply want to know what the score is with them in regards to the questions. Can you help?

1) Yes.
2) Up to 24 months
3) Depends how frequently you check. See the T&Cs.

Are you saying it is better to get a stat report for £2 in future from each CRA than keep using checkmyfile?

Yes.

YorkshireBoy

CPD82UK wrote: »

Upon checking my report there is no mention of this debt plan/current payments or any history of it at all on all 3 CRA's.

As I alluded earlier, you don't see the full picture from Experian with checkmyfile. It may be there but you can't see it, which is why you should go directly to the CRAs themselves.

CPD82UK

Thanks JKSandy, YorkshireBoy for answering my questions.


I'll cancel my subscription and get a stat report from now on when needed.