Should i be worried about this search

DreamCatchMe1

Hello

I was just checking my files and on the Experian statutory report it say i have this search

MEDIA INGENUITY (HD DECISIONS)
20/07/15
CREDIT CARD QUOTATION

There are 2 of these and a Clearscore one also for a credit card quotation.

I havent applied for a credit card for a long time

Should i be worried about it?

Thankyou

ilikewatch

Have you used the MSE eligibility checker? - I'm sure that when I've run an eligibility check on here it's shown up as a quotation search by HD Decisions.

DreamCatchMe1

Hi

No i haven't, i did switch energy using the collective switch but one of the search is back in July and i switched energy last month.

Stupid Question: How do you know whats a soft search or hard search?

Westminster

A quotation search should be a soft search.

molerat

DreamCatchMe1 wrote: »

Hi

No i haven't, i did switch energy using the collective switch but one of the search is back in July and i switched energy last month.

Stupid Question: How do you know whats a soft search or hard search?

If you are using Clearscore they are clearly marked under hard and soft searches.

DreamCatchMe1

Can i stop them doing it or do i have to stop using clear score?

molerat

You have not said whether it was a soft or hard search. Noddle, Equifax and ClearScore show clearly what type of search they but not sure how Experian show them. A soft search is only seen by you so will have no effect on your score / rating / ability to get credit.

JKSandy

molerat wrote: »

You have not said whether it was a soft or hard search. Noddle, Equifax and ClearScore show clearly what type of search they but not sure how Experian show them. A soft search is only seen by you so will have no effect on your score / rating / ability to get credit.

I can't recall the wording but Experian now separate hard and soft searches also.

molerat

HDD-PRICE COMPARISON-BARCLAYCARD has just shown up on an Equifax alert which corresponds to the date I signed up to the Quidco energy club. This is the same as for the CEC, they show up on ClearScore as a credit file request under soft searches.

ashp_2

Noddle-in the "purpose" section it will say something like "checking credit application" for a hard search . So anything other than this is a soft search.

Clearscore- Shows clearly which are hard and soft searches.

Equifax- Also distinguishes between a "credit search" and "other search".

The soft searches are normally for insurance quote, price comparison etc. Company's will sometimes search you when your insurance is due and are entitled to do so if their terms and conditions state so which you probably accepted (without reading!) When signing up for something or searching for quotes.

The soft searches are nothing to worry about and will not have an impact on your rating or your ability to gain credit. Obviously hard searches should be kept to a minimum to maintain a healthy credit file.