NatWest refuse to remove their hard search.

Jumblebumble

Ramon1 said:

If this is not a false information, then you agree that I have applied for a new line of credit, don't you?

This could suggest that you applied for an overdraft on your current account which is perfectly reasonable during the Pandemic

Fighter1986

I'm still erring towards the OP here, he hasn't submitted an application for any credit scored products, he's completed a form but not submitted it.

Nationwide, for example, process applications thusly:

1. Obtain all the personal information from the applicant
2. Once submitted, perform a soft-search against the applicant
3. Provide a result and offer from the soft-search and confirm that the applicant wishes to proceed
4. Perform a hard-search once the applicant accepts the offer and clicks through submitting a full application

The OP hasn't submitted an application for any acocunts, or any additional lines of credit / overdrafts.

His credit file should reflect this fact. 

OP - 



Did you cancel out of the application before this screen? Because there's nothing obvious in the application process up until this point that you're submitting a credit searched application for a bank account. 

I agree it needs to be clearer during the application process. I understand the results of the search change the pathway that the rest of the application takes, but I think this needs to be made clear at that stage in the application. 

Go ahead and file a formal written complaint outlining all of the above and escalate to the FOS if they don't do what you ask after eight weeks. 

Ramon1

Jumblebumble said:

Ramon1 said:

If this is not a false information, then you agree that I have applied for a new line of credit, don't you?

This could suggest that you applied for an overdraft on your current account which is perfectly reasonable during the Pandemic

Yes, but I don't want it to suggest anything like that, because it's not true, i.e. a false information.

Ramon1

Fighter1986 said:

Did you cancel out of the application before this screen? Because there's nothing obvious in the application process up until this point that you're submitting a credit searched application for a bank account.

Yes, it was surely before this screen.  I just saved informations about my income, etc. I believe it was a second page.

I think next time I do any application, I will use a screen recording software, so I can save a video of the whole process and get back to it if I need it.

Did you actually try it yourself, just to see what it looks like?

Ramon1

After the monthly update, it now appears as a signle credit application on my credit report.

Is it a common thing that ClearScore or some other websites shows 2 new searches will be added to your next report, but when the report is updated, in then only shows one search? Anyway, I still would like to have it removed, even if it's just one search.

Btw, where do I find contact to NatWest's Data Controller? Or where exactly should I send the complaint to?

Fighter1986

Ramon1 said:

After the monthly update, it now appears as a signle credit application on my credit report.

Is it a common thing that ClearScore or some other websites shows 2 new searches will be added to your next report, but when the report is updated, in then only shows one search? Anyway, I still would like to have it removed, even if it's just one search.

Btw, where do I find contact to NatWest's Data Controller? Or where exactly should I send the complaint to?

https://ico.org.uk/ESDWebPages/Entry/Z4936258

Good luck. I think you are making a reasonable request of the bank. 

Ramon1

Fighter1986 said:

https://ico.org.uk/ESDWebPages/Entry/Z4936258
Good luck. I think you are making a reasonable request of the bank. 

Thanks mate!  I'm glad we have some people here willing to help.

adamp87

Good luck OP let us know how it goes! Certainly sounds like you shouldn't of been searched prior to agreement.

Just out of curiosity there weren't any details like this were there on the initial page linking to how we use your information? I notice you reference the in the opening post and it I think it's open to interpretation whether they run a check or not. To me opening it and reading it I'd be expecting one and think they might fire back with that..

(https://personal.natwest.com/global/how-we-use-your-information.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA6aSABhApEiwA6Cbm_9AsmYwEdxsluLsedpY_G5CRZKZ5PO3QDPChByLMDiTTvFNXRCxQZxoCdA8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) 

Fingers crossed it's resolved 

Ramon1

adamp87 said:

Good luck OP let us know how it goes! Certainly sounds like you shouldn't of been searched prior to agreement.

Just out of curiosity there weren't any details like this were there on the initial page linking to how we use your information? I notice you reference the in the opening post and it I think it's open to interpretation whether they run a check or not. To me opening it and reading it I'd be expecting one and think they might fire back with that..

(https://personal.natwest.com/global/how-we-use-your-information.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA6aSABhApEiwA6Cbm_9AsmYwEdxsluLsedpY_G5CRZKZ5PO3QDPChByLMDiTTvFNXRCxQZxoCdA8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) 

Fingers crossed it's resolved 

Thank you. I did expect it, just not at the beginning of the application. Is that a standard process?
Their website doesn't state you will be hardsearched immediately, which is what I have problem with.

When you are buying something from Amazon, you know you are going to pay for it, right?
But you don't expect it to be a "step by step process" and don't expect some portion of the final sum to be taken before you confirm it at the final checkout. And certainly not if you cancel the purchase before the checkout. That's how all this nonsense looks to me. Same principle "oh but you knew you'll have to pay".

Fighter1986

Ramon1 said:

adamp87 said:

Good luck OP let us know how it goes! Certainly sounds like you shouldn't of been searched prior to agreement.

Just out of curiosity there weren't any details like this were there on the initial page linking to how we use your information? I notice you reference the in the opening post and it I think it's open to interpretation whether they run a check or not. To me opening it and reading it I'd be expecting one and think they might fire back with that..

(https://personal.natwest.com/global/how-we-use-your-information.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA6aSABhApEiwA6Cbm_9AsmYwEdxsluLsedpY_G5CRZKZ5PO3QDPChByLMDiTTvFNXRCxQZxoCdA8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) 

Fingers crossed it's resolved 

Thank you. I did expect it, just not at the beginning of the application. Is that a standard process?
Their website doesn't state you will be hardsearched immediately, which is what I have problem with.

When you are buying something from Amazon, you know you are going to pay for it, right?
But you don't expect it to be a "step by step process" and don't expect some portion of the final sum to be taken before you confirm it at the final checkout. And certainly not if you cancel the purchase before the checkout. That's how all this nonsense looks to me. Same principle "oh but you knew you'll have to pay".

I really like this analogy and I think it will pay dividents in your argument.

If Natwest / RBS group need to ascertain the contents of your credit file, before you have actually submitted your application, in order to know what to offer you during the application, at this stage, the search should be that of an unrecorded / soft nature, as at that juncture in the process, you have not formally submitted an application for a product.

Just as it is with Nationwide.

With other banks, once you submit a full application, which they make abundantly clear will involve a credit search footprint, if they find you aren't eligible for the account you applied for they will either offer you another account, outright decline your application, or advise you that it is referred.

There's no justification for RBS Group / Natwest for having performed a hard search on you at this point in the application and there was no clear and unequivocal consent provided by you for them to do so.