can creditors locate me if i do a credit check?

kragen_ironfist

Quick history, I left UK a couple of years ago. Since I left it appears that I have become a victim of identity theft.

I am in the process of applying for citizenship so I don't want any trouble with the law.

My family started to get some letters from debt collectors which is how I found out.

Now I'm thinking about doing a credit check experian, I used to have one before I left uk. But I'm worried in case doing so will cause more trouble than it solves.

I want to find out just how bad things are, without the debt collection agencies ruining my chances of citizenship (if that is possible).

If I sign up for a credit check, will it affect my credit in my new home country? If I had UK card still to pay with I wouldn't worry but I no longer have any active UK accounts so would have to use current bank from my new country to register.

stator

It would create a linked address with the current address you provide for the credit search.

Tixy

The bank account you use to pay for a copy of your credit file won't cause a link, but you will be required to provide a current address as well as details of your last UK address, which will then form a link on your credit file.

If you wish to obtain a copy of your credit file whilst outside the UK there is a different procedure to people in the UK.

This thread explains the procedure https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5111298

In the UK non payment of debts is a civil issue not a criminal one, so it would be unlikely to cause an issue with your citizenship, that said the law may be different in the country you are in.

Debt collection letters for debts that are not yours may not be identity fraud, it instead could well be a case of mistaken identity, or debt collectors scattergun approaching lots of people with the same or similar name.

kragen_ironfist

Thanks, the last post on that thread read as...

J33 wrote: »

A further update

Well it appears that you can actually get your credit report online even if you are currently abroad from Equifax.Just make sure you put down your most recent UK address as your current address while doing the online application.They should be able to verify you without the need of a UK credit or debit card.

Would this not then flag you as still resident? You say that

Tixy wrote: »

In the UK non payment of debts is a civil issue not a criminal one, so it would be unlikely to cause an issue with your citizenship, that said the law may be different in the country you are in.

I am concerned because I want to find out if I have ccj in UK but don't want my new country's credit file linked to my bad UK credit file until I know how bad things are and can prepare a defense.

Also I'm sure I read somewhere that whilst ccj are civil, they can be awarded in your absence using last known address. And if you fail to abide by the ccj there could be further court proceedings which could result in jail time (this suggests it could become a criminal offencedown the line).

Now I understand that I have to be resident to be given a ccj in the first place, but if the courts do not know I am not resident does this make a difference

Also the country I'm in has a reciprocal agreement with UK to enforce court rulings

Tixy

You can find out if you have any CCJs without checking your credit reference files.

The registry trust online holds a record of all CCJs in the last 6years.
Anyone can search it for any name/address combination.
Using this no creditor will know you have searched or know your new overseas address.

You may need to search more than one address e.g. your last UK address and also maybe the address debt collection letters are being sent to if different.

Marktheshark

That is how they make money.

Thrugelmir

Experian run this service on behalf of lenders.

GAIN - Gone Away Information Network

So yes. Put your head above the parapet and you'll be spotted.

kragen_ironfist

Ok thanks for the advice... Final question.

I previously had experian subscription if I can log in and pay with a random credit card without updating my personal information, would then flag my old address as being active even though I'm not in uk?

Tixy

kragen_ironfist wrote: »

I previously had experian subscription if I can log in and pay with a random credit card without updating my personal information, would then flag my old address as being active even though I'm not in uk?

If the service is still active and if they don't ask you to confirm your current address then probably not.
But if it has been a long time since you used the account then they may need to send out a new passcode for you to access it.

And in terms of the 'random credit card' if you mean one in someone else's name this won't work, you can only pay with a card in your own name for security reasons.