Apple credit checked me when paying by Amex

ryuuoo

Hiya all,

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas and/or could shed some light into this situation:

I bought a new macbook online through Apple.com. I paid using my Amex Charge card. Everything went well and I picked up the goods etc... everything normal until I check my Experian report and see that Apple Distribution International soft checked me three (3!) times.

Twice with typos in my address and a third one with the correct details. All it says on Experian is 'Identity Check'.

Experian is closed today so cannot ring them up to see what they say, I did ring Amex and they said that shouldn't normally happen. I rang Apple and a very polite man over the phone tried to help but had no idea why they had credit checked me for a non-finance purchase, neither did his manager.

What exactly is a soft search? What could they have seen about me? Is this legal? For a company to look into my credit report when I haven't explicitly authorized it and I wasn't applying for credit with them? Why three times? So weird!

Thanks guys!

Paul_01

Looks to me like an anti fraud measure to check your identity and address.

A soft search has no impact on your credit worthiness, other lenders can't see it.

I doubt it gave Apple any information other than confirmation of identity and address.

Nothing to worry about.

takman

ryuuoo wrote: »

Hiya all,

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas and/or could shed some light into this situation:

I bought a new macbook online through Apple.com. I paid using my Amex Charge card. Everything went well and I picked up the goods etc... everything normal until I check my Experian report and see that Apple Distribution International soft checked me three (3!) times.

Twice with typos in my address and a third one with the correct details. All it says on Experian is 'Identity Check'.

Experian is closed today so cannot ring them up to see what they say, I did ring Amex and they said that shouldn't normally happen. I rang Apple and a very polite man over the phone tried to help but had no idea why they had credit checked me for a non-finance purchase, neither did his manager.

What exactly is a soft search? What could they have seen about me? Is this legal? For a company to look into my credit report when I haven't explicitly authorized it and I wasn't applying for credit with them? Why three times? So weird!

Thanks guys!

An identity check is not a credit check. This is simply an extra security measure to prevent fraudulent transactions.

SnowTiger

An identity check isn't the same as a credit check.

From Apple's T&Cs:

To ensure that your credit, debit or charge card is not being used without your consent, we will validate name, address and other personal information supplied by you during the order process against appropriate third-party databases. By accepting these terms and conditions, you consent to such checks being made. In performing these checks, personal information provided by you may be disclosed to registered Credit Reference Agency, which may keep a record of that information. You can rest assured that this is done only to confirm your identity, only in connection with purchases made by credit, debit or charge card (and excluding the case where you have requested finance in order to pay for the Products ordered), that a credit check is not performed and that your credit rating will be unaffected. All information provided by you will be treated securely and strictly in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

ryuuoo

Thank you guys! You never let me down with your knowledge! It all makes sense now.