MoneySavingExpert Footprint On Credit File

n15h

Hi All,

Firstly, MSE.. what a brilliant site! Packed with so much knowledge and tips! :beer:

I've been using the free credit report facility provided by Noddle which lets me view my credit report. I looked on Credit Report Search History which shows searches on my details over the last 24 months and I came across an entry for MSE carrying out a search on my credit file.

It shows on the file as:

Company: Comparison Site (Hdd) Moneysavingexpert
Purpose: Administration Review
Date: 22/03/2014

I don't recall using MSE to apply for any product which require a credit search (my last application was for a credit product was for the Santander 123 Credit Card in 2013, which I applied for in a Santander branch).

I'm unsure why MSE would be carrying out an administration review on my credit file and leave a credit footprint. I'm worried about the impact this may have on my credit score.

Does anyone know why this is appearing on my credit file, where I can find out more information about what this footprint actually is for and/or know how to have it removed? Has anyone seen anything similar on their credit file and know what its for?

Any assistance / guidance would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Tixy

Have you used the MSE eligibility checker to look at your chance of acceptance of various credit cards? I would have expected it to be that?

If not do you have any financial associates on your credit file (people you have joint credit products with)? and if so may they have used the eligibility checker?

That search wouldn't be visible to potential lenders (or anyone but you and the credit reference agency) so wouldn't impact on your ability to get credit.

n15h

If I remember correctly, the last time I used the eligibility checker was in 2013 for a credit card or home insurance. But never used it since.

No financial associates or links with anyone on my credit file and never held a joint credit product.

Only reason I ask is because I use Noddle which states that lenders may be able to see the search on my file, which is why I'm concerned.

YorkshireBoy

n15h wrote: »

If I remember correctly, the last time I used the eligibility checker was in 2013 for a credit card or home insurance.

Was it in March of that year, ie 12 months prior to the one which appeared last year?

Only reason I ask is because I use Noddle which states that lenders may be able to see the search on my file, which is why I'm concerned.

I think that's incorrect. As I understand it, lenders cannot see soft searches (ID enquiry, etc). Nor can they see financial associate searches.

Unless things have changed in recent years?

n15h

I think it may have been in March 2013.

I'm unsure about the soft searches. However, the Noddle credit report states that lenders may be able to view these searches. Of course, the key word being "may".

YorkshireBoy

n15h wrote: »

I think it may have been in March 2013.

Then they ran another ID enquiry approaching renewal date in March 2014, and probably sent you an email with some offers. Next time you're doing the comparison searches be sure to read the privacy policies/statements, where you'll find the above 'repeat searches' detailed.

n15h

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

Next time you're doing the comparison searches be sure to read the privacy policies/statements, where you'll find the above 'repeat searches' detailed.

Thanks! Just never expected MSE to have a privacy policy and run a repeat search without my permission.

Is there any way I can stop them from running another repeat search on my credit file for this year (I assume it'll happen on the anniversary date i.e. March 2015)?

YorkshireBoy

I'm not sure which specific service you took, so I'm basing this reply on what confused.com* say in their privacy statement...

n15h wrote: »

Thanks! Just never expected MSE to have a privacy policy and run a repeat search without my permission.

...you almost certainly failed to uncheck a box entitled "subscribe to our renewal reminder service".

Is there any way I can stop them from running another repeat search on my credit file for this year (I assume it'll happen on the anniversary date i.e. March 2015)?

Try and remember which specific service you used and unsubscribe to it.


* http://www.confused.com/privacy-and-security/privacy-policy (see the "Renewal Quotes" and "Credit and other searches" sections).

PaulW922

To clarify - it does not matter which agency was used - a soft search like this is NOT visible to other lenders and will not affect your credit score.

Noodle say 'may' because that is what they mean - different type of searches have different status

n15h

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

I'm not sure which specific service you took, so I'm basing this reply on what confused.com* say in their privacy statement......you almost certainly failed to uncheck a box entitled "subscribe to our renewal reminder service".Try and remember which specific service you used and unsubscribe to it.

Thanks! I don't recall if there was a 'renewal reminder' subscribe button during the application. However, I will get in touch with the services and ask them to unsubscribe me. Thanks for your help

n15h

PaulW922 wrote: »

To clarify - it does not matter which agency was used - a soft search like this is NOT visible to other lenders and will not affect your credit score.

Thanks. As per YorkshireBoy's post, I will get in touch with the service providers to unsubscribe me from future renewals and searches.