Generic Identification Check

A4445

I've got a soft search on my Experian credit report for Barclays PLC.....it just says generic identification check. It was for my old address. Does anyone know what this is for I don't have any Barclays Bank accounts just a barclaycard. Slightly worries me!

Experian_company_representative

Hi A4445,

I understand it can be worrying seeing a search that you didn't expect. To put your mind at rest a generic search does not impact you and lenders do not see this when they run a credit check.

If you have a Barclaycard account their searches can show as Barclays Bank. An Identification: Generic check search is used to try to confirm that you are who you say you are, live where you say you live and that there is no information that would prevent the company from offering the product or service that you applied for. This type of search does not relate to an application for a financial product or service.

If you have recently moved address, this could be why they have performed the check.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Emma

A4445

Many thanks for your reply it must be linked to my barclaycard :-)

whipspeed13

I've just had the same thing on my experian report (generic identification check) and don't have any Barclays accounts or a Barclaycard.
The only link I have to Barclays is through my office internet banking.
Can anyone advise me if it's a problem and who I should contact.
Thanks

GingerBob_3

Experian_company_representative wrote: »

Hi A4445,

I understand it can be worrying seeing a search that you didn't expect. To put your mind at rest a generic search does not impact you and lenders do not see this when they run a credit check.

If you have a Barclaycard account their searches can show as Barclays Bank. An Identification: Generic check search is used to try to confirm that you are who you say you are, live where you say you live and that there is no information that would prevent the company from offering the product or service that you applied for. This type of search does not relate to an application for a financial product or service.

If you have recently moved address, this could be why they have performed the check.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Emma

So now you know, or perhaps don't?

whipspeed13

I did read that, but still have no idea why they would be checking as I have nothing with them as a company & have not applied for anything recently that would flag up a search. I've also not moved or anything else recently.

GingerBob_3

whipspeed13 wrote: »

I did read that, but still have no idea why they would be checking as I have nothing with them as a company & have not applied for anything recently that would flag up a search. I've also not moved or anything else recently.

Comparison website search for any financial product that Barclays quoted for?

whipspeed13

No, not used any comparison sites. Only thing is if they are checking users for work internet banking. But not filled in anything recently.

GingerBob_3

whipspeed13 wrote: »

No, not used any comparison sites. Only thing is if they are checking users for work internet banking. But not filled in anything recently.

You mean your company has a Barclays account and you are an authorised signatory or something like that?

whipspeed13

Yes, I can verify Internet banking payments, but we haven't changed anything recently. Or at least my boss hasn't told me about anything. So it could be that. I'll have to ask him.
Just odd as not shown up before.

GingerBob_3

Another possibility is Barclays Partner Finance. If you've bought anything on credit recently there's a good chance Barclays are financing it.