M&S Card, Credit Checking Partner?

GingerBob_3

This issue is mentioned in another thread, which is mainly concerned with CCJs and other matters, so I raise the particular issue again here to canvass more specific views.

When applying for an M&S credit card the company invites you to enter details of your "partner" - the usual stuff; full name, DoB etc. The information is only mandatory if you wish the partner to be a secondary card holder. However, it's very easy to fall into the trap of putting in these details when there's no real need to.

Questions then, if you do enter your partner's personal details:

Does the CC company create a financial association between the two of you, if no such association currently exists?

Do they credit check the partner?

Why do they need partner personal details?

How do they ensure the partner has given authorisation?

For the last question, I should point out that there's nothing on the application form stressing the need for the primary applicant to obtain permission.

Any thoughts on this one?

jamesd

Ask them.

Unlikely since the card would be in the name of the applicant, but ask them. If they do a search they are required to get consent so check the application to see whether permission for the second person is being sought.

They don't, so don't supply them unless they say it's mandatory.

There's no need for the partner to give authorisation for a credit application because they are not making a credit application. There's no prohibition on asking one person to provide personally identifiable information about another if there is a business reason to do it.

GingerBob_3

jamesd wrote: »

There's no need for the partner to give authorisation for a credit application because they are not making a credit application. There's no prohibition on asking one person to provide personally identifiable information about another if there is a business reason to do it.

No, but according to Experian - and they do bang on about this - a credit check cannot be carried out against someone unless they give explicit permission. It seems from the related thread that the partner may have had a check carried out against them as well as the applicant.

YorkshireBoy

GingerBob wrote: »

No, but according to Experian - and they do bang on about this - a credit check cannot be carried out against someone unless they give explicit permission. It seems from the related thread that the partner may have had a check carried out against them as well as the applicant.

By adding another person you are confirming you have their permission for a search to be undertaken (always read the small print!).


But there's no damage anyway (to the other person) because financial associate searches are not seen by lenders when they search you for credit products in your own name.

BadBehaviour

I opened the other thread and no, I didn't add him as an additional cardholder, but on Experian my partner is listed as a financial association created by M&S.

GingerBob_3

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

By adding another person you are confirming you have their permission for a search to be undertaken (always read the small print!).


But there's no damage anyway (to the other person) because financial associate searches are not seen by lenders when they search you for credit products in your own name.

Just did (again). Can't find it though - not saying it isn't there, just that I couldn't find it.