How soon does a credit search appear on your file?

Andybez38

I made a credit application (credit card) off own bank online, earlier today. After applying it said they would be in touch within 5 working days, with a decision. I have checked experian online and no credit search has been registered yet.
Is that because it hasn't been checked yet, or it takes longer to appear on your records?
If it's the latter. What is stopping anyone from making numerous applications one after the other, in a very short period of time? Surely a lender would not know you have made the applications.

Arleen

Nothing stops them from doing that, and that is why people do that to apply for multiple instances of credit at the same time. Of course if you will then need to apply for anything in next few month don't be surprised if that will give you an instant rejection.

Ed-1

Andybez38 wrote: »

I made a credit application (credit card) off own bank online, earlier today. After applying it said they would be in touch within 5 working days, with a decision. I have checked experian online and no credit search has been registered yet.
Is that because it hasn't been checked yet, or it takes longer to appear on your records?
If it's the latter. What is stopping anyone from making numerous applications one after the other, in a very short period of time? Surely a lender would not know you have made the applications.

Which bank did you apply with? Hard credit searches show instantly but Lloyds, Halifax, BOS and TSB don't do hard searches for all applications if you already have at least one credit account with them (they may do a soft unrecorded enquiry a couple of days later if the application refers however as in your case).

boo_star

In theory they should show instantly to other lenders. I imagine that the consumer product offers a snapshot that is somewhat delayed.

Anthorn

Andybez38 wrote: »

I made a credit application (credit card) off own bank online, earlier today. After applying it said they would be in touch within 5 working days, with a decision. I have checked experian online and no credit search has been registered yet.
Is that because it hasn't been checked yet, or it takes longer to appear on your records?
If it's the latter. What is stopping anyone from making numerous applications one after the other, in a very short period of time? Surely a lender would not know you have made the applications.

They might not have searched Experian but searched Equifax or Callcredit or might not have searched at all. Note that the software a lender uses to search credit reports is different to the interface supplied to you. Typically the consumer credit reports we see are not updated in real time.