Unknown Soft Searches on Credit Report

clairebeth

Hi all, just a quick question. There are two new soft searches on my credit report and I don't believe they were instigated by me. Is it possible someone has used my details?

One is BOS, and we DID use them as a soft search for an AIP in August, but that occasion is already listed on my credit report. Is it poss they are just doing a refresh of the search?

The other is Hitachi, who apparently do personal loans, and this is definitely not something we have even thought about applying for.

Should I investigate further?

Many thanks!

bradders1983

I wouldnt bother, soft searches impact on nothing.  If someone out there had your details and wanted a loan in your name, what would a soft search achieve for them? Nothing. 

clairebeth

I agree the soft search would achieve nothing, but if they then recieved money from a personal loan in my name, it would. 

I agree though, it's probably nothing.  Just very rare that I don't recognise the something on my report. 

Thanks! 

bradders1983

Question (it may seem random but there is a reason)...do you pay your car insurance monthly or annually?

clairebeth

Annually, the 4th of August.  

bradders1983

Right ok. Rules that out!

Have you ever used price comparison sites? Terms and conditions of those sites allow companies to use your details to perform searches.

clairebeth

But I agree, there could be some direct debit payment whirring in the background, just none due just now that I know of.  I do appreciate that this is very minor in the grand scheme of things! Thank you for taking the time. 

clairebeth

Thank you, yes, but not since August for insurance and also recently for mortgages but haven't even supplied my email address. I did think a price comparison was the most likely culprit also. I will just leave it and I'm sure nothing untoward will come of it! Thanks!

clairebeth

Ah! I have done some googling and think I have the answer.  Apparently when you click the 'offers' section of a credit report (I think I was looking at my MSE one last week), it generates a soft search! I wasn't even looking for finance, I just clicked it out of interest!

Mystery solved! Thank you!