Failed Credit Check

kiboodez

This is not as simple as the heading indicates...

I am moving home soon and have been approved (1st time of asking and with my preferred company) for a mortgage; my credit score is rated as excellent on equifax.

However, I received an email a couple of days ago from my energy supplier (first utility) telling me that I had failed a credit check with them! I'm actually ok with failing it if that's where I am, but I am not.

How this happened was the following. I was dealing with the company regarding inaccurate bills and mentioned that I will be moving home soon and would not be taking them with me if they didn't get their act together. When they sorted the billing issue I git in to the discussion again and asked them to call me back once I move... Once I move! However they have decided to make an application for energy (and thus a credit check) in my name at my new address; they did not have my permission to do this, I wasn't applying and hadn't agree to even let them go with me - simply arranged a phone call. I subsequently failed the credit check as I am not on the electoral register there, because I am not there!

Essentially I now have a black mark against my name and will have to answer yes to the "have you ever been refused credit before?" question. This credit check was done completely without my permission or my knowledge.

Does anyone know where I stand legally with this?

Thanks in advance.

pappa_golf

where is the "black mark" , on your file , or in your head?

GingerBob_3

kiboodez wrote: »

This is not as simple as the heading indicates...

I am moving home soon and have been approved (1st time of asking and with my preferred company) for a mortgage; my credit score is rated as excellent on equifax.

However, I received an email a couple of days ago from my energy supplier (first utility) telling me that I had failed a credit check with them! I'm actually ok with failing it if that's where I am, but I am not.

How this happened was the following. I was dealing with the company regarding inaccurate bills and mentioned that I will be moving home soon and would not be taking them with me if they didn't get their act together. When they sorted the billing issue I git in to the discussion again and asked them to call me back once I move... Once I move! However they have decided to make an application for energy (and thus a credit check) in my name at my new address; they did not have my permission to do this, I wasn't applying and hadn't agree to even let them go with me - simply arranged a phone call. I subsequently failed the credit check as I am not on the electoral register there, because I am not there!

Essentially I now have a black mark against my name and will have to answer yes to the "have you ever been refused credit before?" question. This credit check was done completely without my permission or my knowledge.

Does anyone know where I stand legally with this?

Thanks in advance.

Unfortunately it's the case that no organisation needs your permission to assault you with a credit check, nor report your account to the CRAs. The Information Commissioners Office gives them carte blanche to do as they want. All this bluster about consent is just that; bluster. It's not true. Nevertheless, you should follow this up and demand they remove the check. You may be successful. Go with EDF. They don't do credit checks as far as I know.

kiboodez

Thanks for the responses.

Having failed to get credit that I didn't want or apply for is going to give me a long term headache; I will need to answer yes to that question.

Are you saying they there is absolutely no leakage requirement for the company to have permission? That surprises me, I'm not questioning your accuracy I am just surprised by it!

shortcrust

Being refused credit doesn't result in a black mark - no one can tell that you've been refused and no one will ever ask "have you ever been refused credit?".

andyfromotley

Yes i dont recall ever being asked if i was refused credit so i dont think its going to be much of a problem TBH.

So relax, this amounts to quite literally nothing.

DCFC79

The actual refusal for credit isn't recorded (but a search would be) on your credit history nor is the credit rating/score seen by lenders.

MEM62

kiboodez wrote: »

Thanks for the responses.

Having failed to get credit that I didn't want or apply for is going to give me a long term headache; I will need to answer yes to that question.

No it won't. This will have no impact on your financial standing as far as your creditworthiness is concerned.

And as far as I am aware, utility companies do not provide credit services. They may give you an account but they do not offer credit - when the bill is due it is due. Therefore, the answer to 'have you ever been refused credit?' is no.

kiboodez

Hi all,

Thanks for the many replies. I feel somewhat more at ease with the situation, though am still fuming at the credit check being completed at all.

Thanks again.

DCFC79

kiboodez wrote: »

Hi all,

Thanks for the many replies. I feel somewhat more at ease with the situation, though am still fuming at the credit check being completed at all.

Thanks again.

Phone and ask them why a search was done, maybe it was done in error. Put a complaint in about it.

concernedSaver

Unfortunately it's the case that no organisation needs your permission to assault you with a credit check

Is it? I definitely remember being asked if I agreed to a credit check before going forward with any credit application (or utility contract). Was it simply a matter of courtesy?