CIFAS Protective Registration

[Deleted User]

I was wondering if anyone on MSE has ever signed up to the CIFAS Protective Registration service? If so have you experienced any issues or positives whilst using the service?

I have been checking my TransUnion credit file via Credit Karma and there are 3 quotation searches for 118 118 Money showing on my file followed by 3 affordability searches for 118 118 Money, all in December 2019. I have never in my life applied for a loan with 118 118 Money or any PDL for that matter. Under the short term loans section of my credit report is says none so perhaps the searches are just showing in error but to be on the safe side I have contacted 118 118 Money to investigate. I have checked my Experian and Equifax reports and there are no searches for 118 118 Money showing nor any short term loans. I'm still a bit twitchy about it though.

I'm also moving overseas for 2 years and whilst I have set up an international mail redirection this 118 118 Money incident has got my thinking about protecting myself a bit better whilst I'm away.

Do you think £25 for two years is worth peace of mind?

[Deleted User]

They will be soft searches and probably from a comparison site or other.

Are you signed up to Clearscore as well?
Their quotation searches always put 118118 searches on my credit file, though they are soft searches only so it doesn't actually matter in the scheme of things.

[Deleted User]

!!! wrote: »

They will be soft searches and probably from a comparison site or other.

Are you signed up to Clearscore as well?
Their quotation searches always put 118118 searches on my credit file, though they are soft searches only so it doesn't actually matter in the scheme of things.

Is an affordability search not carried out when someone applies for credit? Maybe it is just a soft search and there's not much to worry about.

ClearScore is what I used to view my Experian report and there's nothing on there. I can't recall using a comparison site for anything lately. I certainly haven't been looking for any new lines of credit. It's very odd.

[Deleted User]

Lover_of_Lycra wrote: »

Is an affordability search not carried out when someone applies for credit? Maybe it is just a soft search and there's not much to worry about.

ClearScore is what I used to view my Experian report and there's nothing on there. I can't recall using a comparison site for anything lately. I certainly haven't been looking for any new lines of credit. It's very odd.

Clearscore is for your Equifax report.

Turn off Quotation Searches on Clearscore and you'll probably find the searches will stop appearing.

[Deleted User]

!!! wrote: »

Clearscore is for your Equifax report.

Turn off Quotation Searches on Clearscore and you'll probably find the searches will stop appearing.

Sorry I meant Equifax. As I said I have already checked Equifax (ClearScore) and Experian (MSE Credit Club) and these searches don't appear on either.

[Deleted User]

Lover_of_Lycra wrote: »

Sorry I meant Equifax. As I said I have already checked Equifax (ClearScore) and Experian (MSE Credit Club) and these searches don't appear on either.

No they won't - for some reason they only appear on TransUnion but they are for Quotation Searches carried out by Clearscore.

As soon as I disabled Quotation Searches it stopped appearing.

[Deleted User]

I see what you mean. Is it Clearscore carrying out the searches then to see who will lend me money?

[Deleted User]

Lover_of_Lycra wrote: »

I see what you mean. Is it Clearscore carrying out the searches then to see who will lend me money?

It could be.

Again, disable the Quotation Searches in Clearscore and see if it stops thereafter.

[Deleted User]

I'll give that a try.

118 118 Money have come back to confirm that no applications have been made in my name so that's reassuring.