Unauthorised searches

ChumpusRex

Last month, I had a huge number of credit/other searches on my credit files from equifax, experian and call credit.

Most were "insurance quotation", but a variety were "identity check" and "additional address". These are from companies like "EUI Ltd", "Insurance Initiatives" and "LexisNexis".

The query, however, is that I haven't purchased any insurance for the last few months. My car insurance was purchased directly from the insurer, and is up for renewal in about 8 weeks. My home insurance was renewed in January.

I haven't used a comparison site for several years. I have received no postal or e-mail quotes or marketing-style "insurance reminders".

So, I am wondering where all these searches are coming from, as I haven't authorised any such searches.

matttye

When you use a specific insurance company website or a comparison site to obtain a quote, you often agree to let that company periodically check your credit file.

Have you ever had e-mails from companies when it's coming up to the time to renew? This is the reason they do it.

I get some e-mails at random times of the year when I obtained quotes just to see what the price would be.

Are you aware that the searches will not be visible to other lenders?

ChumpusRex

No. This is my point, I haven't used a comparison site in years. I've had no renewals recently, and none coming up in the near future.

I've had no correspondence from any insurance companies that would correlate with the time of the searches, and I have never been a customer of the insurers in question.

The only reason I am annoyed is that a company with whom I have no current business dealings is requesting credit checks and address checks for my new address, which I have never given them and they have no business reason to request.

matttye

My best guess is that there's some sort of data sharing clause with one of the companies you actually do do business with. You can complain to the company who carried out the search and the CRA, and if noone comes up with a good reason for checking your file, the ICO.

PaulW922

If you have used comparison sites in the past you will probably have (unknowingly) agreed to future quotes being provided. However you son't need to worry too much - these are not credit checks as such and they won't affect your credit ratings

20aday

If you're wondering who EUI Limited are it's the Admiral Insurance Group (i.e. Elephant, Diamond etc).

GaleSF63

I used a comparison site just once, a number of years ago, possibly 8-10 years. I didn't use any of the companies on the site but I still get letters and emails each year - they aren't random because they know when my car insurance expires.

mikeyevo

Been trying to find info re above company who have just done an unauthorised credit search, i have never dealt with them or even applied for credit with anyone recently, it has negatively impacted my credit score. still trying to get response from equifax.
Any clues??

mikeyevo

sorry company called Shop Direct Finance Company Ltd

DCFC79

mikeyevo wrote: »

Been trying to find info re above company who have just done an unauthorised credit search, i have never dealt with them or even applied for credit with anyone recently, it has negatively impacted my credit score. still trying to get response from equifax.
Any clues??

So its affected your score has it ?

Tell me what use the score is ?

DCFC79

mikeyevo wrote: »

sorry company called Shop Direct Finance Company Ltd

They might be part of a bigger group, if not is there an entry in your credit history ?