Strange credit search from Lloyds

grifferz

Hi,

Today I got an alert from CreditKarma saying a new credit search had been registered on my report. Upon logging in I see a hard credit search:

Hard search detail: lloyds bank plc (sa,tac,ct,sr ml cval,r, ct batch)

Purpose: checking credit application

Date: 17 Jun 2020

It also has my full name, address and D.O.B. As far as I can see that means it's definitely from an application for credit.

I am not a customer of Lloyds banking group and I haven't applied for any service from them. I did apply for two things just over a week ago: a Monzo bank account and a John Lewis credit card. Both those applications are now done with and opened so I do not understand why they would show now, if it is related to those. Monzo shows separately as a soft search and there is nothing in the name of John Lewis. John Lewis uses HSBC as their banking partner so I would expect something from HSBC if it were them. I have a query open with John Lewis anyway asking if this is them. CreditKarma say that's all the information they have and I have to query it with Lloyds.

I tried asking Lloyds on Twitter about it. They said they could not help me and I should phone. I was put on hold for 30 minutes and then told they could not help me either, and not only that but they had no idea where to direct me. That is really disappointing.

I am concerned that someone may be trying to obtain credit in my name. Lloyds are not helping me here. Should I send them a Subject Access Request to find out the details or is there an easier option that I have not thought of?

Thanks!

grifferz

Oh I forgot to mention, by phone Lloyds were at least able to confirm that there is currently no Lloyds banking group account open with my address associated, so if it is an application it has not gone through yet. I am still worried though because if the credit search is dated today then it wouldn't be open yet.

Fighter1986

Send them a letter explaining that you've opened or applied for no Lloyds banking group products, and include the excerpt from your credit file showing the search in your letter to them.

Ask that they expunge the credit search from your records and ensure no facility is opened in your name relating to this search.

Address your letter to:

FAO: Data Controller
Lloyds Banking Group
25 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7HN

grifferz

The plot thickens.

Today I received a letter from Lloyds Bank giving me details of the internet banking for an account I have not opened. The letter says to call them if I didn't register for internet banking, so I did. I waited on hold for ages and was then told I needed to be through to the fraud dept. I waited on hold for ages and was then told I actually needed the fraudulent account opening dept. I waited on hold for ages and was then told by an automated message that this dept is closed until 8.30am on Monday.

I called back and customer services confirmed that there is not a single person in the entire organisation that can place a hold on a fraudulently opened account until that department opens on Monday morning. I then pointed out that I had informed them of possible fraud 3 days ago, and was informing them of certain fraud today, so they would have to accept responsibility for any actual fraud that happens before this can be sorted out on Monday. Their response was to just repeat that no one can handle this until Monday.

So a tip to any criminal masterminds out there: consider working weekends, because Lloyds Bank's fraudulently opened account dept don't.

freesha

So what was the update when you phoned them at 8.30am today?

whatWasWrongWithNRAM

Hello, 
I've just received a report from Credit Karma as well for a 'Hard Search' credit application from Lloyds Bank Plc, just phoned Lloyds Bank customer services and they advised that it could have been from a number of different sources and he couldn't see anything on my record but I would have to speak to the Fraud department tomorrow morning at 8.30am. Hopefully the loan isn't issued in the mean time as I definitely haven't made the application!!

whatWasWrongWithNRAM

Update: Having spoken to Lloyds Bank Plc they have confirmed that no new accounts have been created with my details, when I mentioned that it was CreditKarma that raised the Hard Search Alert they implied that it was an issue with the reporting and Lloyds had received a number of these query calls from customer and that I should raise a dispute with CreditKarma. I have raised a dispute and will have to wait 28 days for a response. I will be keeping an eye on my record for the time being!!

KPnutz

Did any of you get to the bottom of this? I've just had the same happen to me!
I tracked it down to Halifax (owned by both Lloyds & Bank of Scotland) but they said theres nothing new on my file with them and it will take 2 weeks for someone to look into it in more depth for me. Was hoping for some clarity here in the meantime.
Thanks!

whatWasWrongWithNRAM

Not sure how it happened and couldnt really get to the bottom of it but CreditKarma removed the search from my record. Im happy that nothing untoward is going on. Hope that helps

KPnutz

Thanks! Thats very helpful. Halifax still haven't gotten back to me so will chase on Friday and most likely contact CreditKarma to remove the search too.