Experian Identification – Generic Check

LegalCashier

Hi all,

Just received an email from Experian re: a search on my file. Logged in and on 13/4/16 HSBC ran the following
"Identification – Generic Check". I understand this has no impact on my credit score and I believe lenders will not see this (not 100% sure on this). But for the life of me I cannot think what this could be for. I do indeed bank with HSBC and have held an account with them for over 10 years but I have not applied for anything with them or anyone else since I opened my Help to Buy ISA with Halifax in December (can see this search).

Should I contact my bank and investigate or is it a case they do a check every now and again on their customers?

[Deleted User]

Random check, perhaps in advance of a mailing. Don't worry about it.

GingerBob_3

LegalCashier wrote: »

Hi all,

Just received an email from Experian re: a search on my file. Logged in and on 13/4/16 HSBC ran the following
"Identification – Generic Check". I understand this has no impact on my credit score and I believe lenders will not see this (not 100% sure on this). But for the life of me I cannot think what this could be for. I do indeed bank with HSBC and have held an account with them for over 10 years but I have not applied for anything with them or anyone else since I opened my Help to Buy ISA with Halifax in December (can see this search).

Should I contact my bank and investigate or is it a case they do a check every now and again on their customers?

Probably nosiness on the part of the bank. Don't forget that these checks can be carried out basically by anyone, with or without your consent, and whether or not you have any relationship with them.

LegalCashier

I was under the impression that they would need your permission before doing this?

GingerBob_3

LegalCashier wrote: »

I was under the impression that they would need your permission before doing this?

Absolutely not. Water companies, local authorities, government agencies, gambling companies, insurance companies, and all the other usual suspects, can rummage around in the CRA files without your consent. See the ICO webpages about this. In fact, any organisation that pays Experian and the others can access this data about you.