Identity Theft? Insurance searches on credit report thatwasnt me

Bradyle

This weekend I got a notifciation from Credit Karma about soft searches on my account. I had a look and noticed on the 28/01 there are a lot of searches showing for insurance companies, some car specific insurance companies. I havent searched for anything recently or used any comparison websites recently. My own car insurance isnt up until start of April.I went through my soft search history and can see a similar search of a lot of companies happened in Janauary 2020 too.

I reached out to one of the insurance companies that appeared (Marshmellow who id never even heard of before) to ask why a search had occured. All they could confirm was that there was no policies on their database that matched any of the details Id provided. They did say if I had recently used a comparison website not to worry, but if I hadnt I amy be a victim of identity theft, that has me a bit concerned.

I tried requesting information on policies with my details from the Motor Insurance Bureau but it seems they will only give you details for cars where you know the registration which doesnt help here.

Does anyone have any advice here? I have thought about opening a report with Action Fraud, but I dont have any proof that I actually am a vicitm of fraud. My credit report doesnt show what insurance policies are linked to me, is there a way to find this out? 

Thanks

Jamesyb123

You could contact credit karma And ask them to confirm the origin of the soft search but a soft search itself isn’t damaging but it’s understandable you are a bit concerned it may lead to something more serious. Maybe just keep an eye on your credit files for next few months make sure nothing new pops up. Sometimes the credit agency them self will soft search your file to see what deals they can offer you.

Yahoo_Mail

Bradyle said:

This weekend I got a notifciation from Credit Karma about soft searches on my account. I had a look and noticed on the 28/01 there are a lot of searches showing for insurance companies, some car specific insurance companies. I havent searched for anything recently or used any comparison websites recently. My own car insurance isnt up until start of April.I went through my soft search history and can see a similar search of a lot of companies happened in Janauary 2020 too.

I reached out to one of the insurance companies that appeared (Marshmellow who id never even heard of before) to ask why a search had occured. All they could confirm was that there was no policies on their database that matched any of the details Id provided. They did say if I had recently used a comparison website not to worry, but if I hadnt I amy be a victim of identity theft, that has me a bit concerned.

I tried requesting information on policies with my details from the Motor Insurance Bureau but it seems they will only give you details for cars where you know the registration which doesnt help here.

Does anyone have any advice here? I have thought about opening a report with Action Fraud, but I dont have any proof that I actually am a vicitm of fraud. My credit report doesnt show what insurance policies are linked to me, is there a way to find this out? 

Thanks

It's probably because you've used a comparison site in the past.  They do reserve the right to run searches when your policy is near to renewal to be able to requote you.  Just one example from Moneysupermarket...

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/legal/privacy-policy/

4.2.3.  informing you of your annual renewal quotes - Based on information you previously provided to us (if you have previously obtained a  quote) - when our systems indicate that your renewal is due (based on the dates you entered for your most recent quote) we may resubmit your quote details to give you an idea of what your quotes could be for your next renewal. In order to provide this service to you, we may also send that information to our insurance partners so that they can calculate their quotes. When they do this, our insurance partners may carry out ‘soft’ credit checks on you with credit reference agencies, and these checks may be performed ahead of the renewal date.  You may see these ‘soft’ credit checks on your credit report but they will have no impact on your credit rating.  Please see section 5.2 for more details on soft credit checks;

Bradyle

Yahoo_Mail said:

It's probably because you've used a comparison site in the past.  They do reserve the right to run searches when your policy is near to renewal to be able to requote you.  Just one example from Moneysupermarket...

Hmmm I was thinking this might be the case, just thought end of January was a bit soon to be searching for policy that wont renew until April, but I guess maybe its not.

Bradyle

Jamesyb123 said:

You could contact credit karma And ask them to confirm the origin of the soft search but a soft search itself isn’t damaging but it’s understandable you are a bit concerned it may lead to something more serious. Maybe just keep an eye on your credit files for next few months make sure nothing new pops up. Sometimes the credit agency them self will soft search your file to see what deals they can offer you.

Ive sent a query just to check, but I think ouree probably right and will jsut keep an eye on my report. I tend to check it every month anyway when the new updated one is issued.