Hard Credit Check without permission

Hayden777

Hi,
I made a purchase yesterday directly from a company that often offers credit on their products and you can pay in monthly instalments. Upon making my purchase I paid in full with my debit card with no clear mention that a credit check will be carried out. On one part of their website it does say “We may perform a credit check”, however as far as I’m aware they need explicit permission from me to do this and also having paid in full by debit card I don’t understand why a check had to take place at all. 

I have contacted the company directly and also the company they used to do the check. 

I just want to know what my rights are in this situation and whether I have any chance of getting the check removed or do they technically have some sort of permission because of what it says on the website?

Any help or advice is appreciated 
Thanks

[Deleted User]

They don't need explicit permission.

I wouldn't even worry about it - it's just one search.

Fighter1986

Was this Home Shop Direct (Very, et.al?) 

Or another retailer?

It should have been explicit on the page they ask for your DOB, address history, and income that they are assessing your eligibility for an account with them. 

Alternatively, it could just be an electronic identity check. This isn't a hard search, and is normal for companies like Ebuyer etc to verify a customer is who they claim to be and lives where they claim to live, when selling high risk items like valuable electronics. 

Hayden777

Fighter1986 said:

Was this Home Shop Direct (Very, et.al?) 

Or another retailer?

It should have been explicit on the page they ask for your DOB, address history, and income that they are assessing your eligibility for an account with them. 

Alternatively, it could just be an electronic identity check. This isn't a hard search, and is normal for companies like Ebuyer etc to verify a customer is who they claim to be and lives where they claim to live, when selling high risk items like valuable electronics. 

Thank you for the reply.
The company sells collectible coins and gold/silver items. They are a reputable and legit company, the purchase was only for £150 and my credit report shouldn’t be affected too much. I’m just expecting to apply for a mortgage soon and would like it to be as clean as possible.

 It was also definitely a hard search as that’s what showed up on my report. There was no questions about income, address history or applying for credit or using credit on account, just a straight up purchase. I have also found someone else who has experienced the same problem. Just not sure if I can do anything about it or not.

Fighter1986

Raise a formal complaint with the firm you made the purchase from. 

Hayden777

Yeah I’ve contacted the company to do that, just wanted to ensure I had a foot to stand on before going through with it all. Thank you for your help.

jimbo26

How did they perform a check without your date of birth?

Hayden777

jimbo26 said:

How did they perform a check without your date of birth?

They did have my date of birth, it was part of the details when signing up I believe. It’s just the fact there was no physical tick box or question where I agreed to a credit search on my name.

D3xt3r5L4b

If their T’s and C’s says they may perform
a credit check then there we have it.