Multiple 'Consumer Credit File Request' entries showing when I haven't made these requests

thegfb

Hello, I logged into Credit Karma yesterday for a routine health check of my credit file as I typically do every few months.

I was quite surprised to see under soft searches, that multiple 'Consumer Credit File Request' searches were showing over the last couple of months, at least eight individual entries going back to February.

My understanding is that these only show if the customer actually requests their credit file?  As I haven't been logged in at all during this time, does this mean it is likely that my Credit Karma account has been hacked?  I immediately changed both my registered email and password anyway.  Thankfully there are no hard searches shown (yet) or other unrecognisable soft searches so I don't think that anyone has actually used my identity for fraudulent credit applications but there is still plenty of other mischief that could be done with the information.

I've raised a support ticket with Credit Karma but to be honest they don't really appear to understand the concern and have directed me to Transunion where I have flagged up the searches and asked them to investigate.

If I've misunderstood how the system works and everything is actually fine then please can someone tell me?

Thanks

[Deleted User]

Your account won't have been hacked.

Worst case is that someone has used your login details, but more likely they're just system generated. I wouldn't worry.

[Deleted User]

Soft searches happen for all manner of reasons e.g. if you get insurance quotes. They are nothing to worry about and no-one has hacked your account, no information has been given that could be misused. Someone having your account details also wouldn't cause soft searches, the data on your report is actually pretty meaningless as things like your card numbers are not visible and anyone applying for credit in your name would be flagged up on the report.

I have soft searches from Hastings and Admiral which are a couple of weeks before my insurance was due - I might have used a comparison site, I can't remember as my renewal was cheaper than the previous year so I didn't move.

thegfb

Hi thanks for the reply.  I've used CK for a long time (since it was Noddle, and something else even I think) and never seen these entries before without me actually logging in and actually requesting a copy of my credit file.  There are gaps of months with no entries which correspond with me logging in and using the site, so seeing them when I know I wasn't logged in is a little unsettling but I will see what Transunion reply with

thegfb

Deleted_User said:

Soft searches happen for all manner of reasons e.g. if you get insurance quotes. They are nothing to worry about and no-one has hacked your account, no information has been given that could be misused. Someone having your account details also wouldn't cause soft searches, the data on your report is actually pretty meaningless as things like your card numbers are not visible and anyone applying for credit in your name would be flagged up on the report.

I have soft searches from Hastings and Admiral which are a couple of weeks before my insurance was due - I might have used a comparison site, I can't remember as my renewal was cheaper than the previous year so I didn't move.

Hi Farfetch, yes there are lots of soft searches as a result of using price comparison sites for insurance too but these entries state that they specifically relate to the consumer requesting their credit file on those dates, and I know I did not so hence I think someone else was logged in under my details if that makes sense?

thegfb

This is what I mean, I wasn't logged in at all during this time

[Deleted User]

They're normal, I have 12 searches from Clear Score i.e. one a month and several a month from Credit Karma, nothing at all to worry about

Snuggles

Hi @thegfb did you ever get anywhere with this? I recently noticed exactly the same issue with Credit Karma. I've used it for years, and they used to carry out the soft search consumer credit file requests once or twice a month, which was when I logged in and requested my report. However over the last three months or so these requests have been made by Credit Karma multiple times per month, sometimes on consecutive days. 

I am also getting nowhere with them when asking them why they are doing this, as they seem to think it's nothing to do with them, even though it clearly is!

kaMelo

Snuggles said:

Hi @thegfb did you ever get anywhere with this? I recently noticed exactly the same issue with Credit Karma. I've used it for years, and they used to carry out the soft search consumer credit file requests once or twice a month, which was when I logged in and requested my report. However over the last three months or so these requests have been made by Credit Karma multiple times per month, sometimes on consecutive days. 

I am also getting nowhere with them when asking them why they are doing this, as they seem to think it's nothing to do with them, even though it clearly is!

Why does it matter?
They are soft searches seen only by you and make no difference to anything anywhere.

Snuggles

kaMelo said:

Snuggles said:

Hi @thegfb did you ever get anywhere with this? I recently noticed exactly the same issue with Credit Karma. I've used it for years, and they used to carry out the soft search consumer credit file requests once or twice a month, which was when I logged in and requested my report. However over the last three months or so these requests have been made by Credit Karma multiple times per month, sometimes on consecutive days. 

I am also getting nowhere with them when asking them why they are doing this, as they seem to think it's nothing to do with them, even though it clearly is!

Why does it matter?
They are soft searches seen only by you and make no difference to anything anywhere.

Because, like the OP, I am concerned someone else might be logging into my account, causing these searches to be generated.

And if that's not the case I'd like to know the reason why Credit Karma has gone from requesting my consumer credit file once or twice a month, to almost every day.

Whether it affects anything else or not, it is information about me, and I'd like to know the reason it is being accessed so frequently.

[Deleted User]

Snuggles said:

kaMelo said:

Snuggles said:

Hi @thegfb did you ever get anywhere with this? I recently noticed exactly the same issue with Credit Karma. I've used it for years, and they used to carry out the soft search consumer credit file requests once or twice a month, which was when I logged in and requested my report. However over the last three months or so these requests have been made by Credit Karma multiple times per month, sometimes on consecutive days. 

I am also getting nowhere with them when asking them why they are doing this, as they seem to think it's nothing to do with them, even though it clearly is!

Why does it matter?
They are soft searches seen only by you and make no difference to anything anywhere.

Because, like the OP, I am concerned someone else might be logging into my account, causing these searches to be generated.

And if that's not the case I'd like to know the reason why Credit Karma has gone from requesting my consumer credit file once or twice a month, to almost every day.

Whether it affects anything else or not, it is information about me, and I'd like to know the reason it is being accessed so frequently.

The CRA is checking stuff daily for their nonsense emails and credit "score" selling services, if you're concerned about someone on your account then change your password