mortgage DiP revoked, FOUR bogus hard searches by natwest and lloyds

htcclub

After trying to increase my overdraft with Lloyds, they did a hard search even though it says verbatim on the application page "This application won't affect your credit score"

Few days later, I started an overdraft application at Natwest, DID NOT click the final button to agree to the T&Cs and a hard search was done by them anyway. Called them up, asked if they had a record of an application (recorded the phone call) they said: "NO we have no record of a completed application, just a started one, you wont get a hard search". Hard search shows up few days later.

To add insult to injury both banks did 2 hard searches each on the same day. So 4 hard searches on my report for this month.

Reading through the forums seems like this happens all the time, have no clue what to do now. I suppose I'm just supposed to forget about buying a house for 3 months! My life has been put on hold for so long, just focusing on being cheap and saving money. Can't believe these nonsense scamming trash banks. Total scum.

Currently on the phone to Lloyds, surprisingly they seem like they are looking into it.

[Deleted User]

By how much did your score change?

housebuyer143

I would be more concerned about applying for an overdraft affecting your house buying chances than a few hard searches...

Marky4040

htcclub said:

After trying to increase my overdraft with Lloyds, they did a hard search even though it says verbatim on the application page "This application won't affect your credit score"

Few days later, I started an overdraft application at Natwest, DID NOT click the final button to agree to the T&Cs and a hard search was done by them anyway. Called them up, asked if they had a record of an application (recorded the phone call) they said: "NO we have no record of a completed application, just a started one, you wont get a hard search". Hard search shows up few days later.

To add insult to injury both banks did 2 hard searches each on the same day. So 4 hard searches on my report for this month.

Reading through the forums seems like this happens all the time, have no clue what to do now. I suppose I'm just supposed to forget about buying a house for 3 months! My life has been put on hold for so long, just focusing on being cheap and saving money. Can't believe these nonsense scamming trash banks. Total scum.

Currently on the phone to Lloyds, surprisingly they seem like they are looking into it.

Hi There, they've no reason to lie to you so if they say they haven't done a hard search or you did not click the "submit" button it's highly unlikley they will have gone ahead and done it. Could you just check the seraches are definately listed as "an application for credit" or just identification searches?

When you start an appication for a mortage, an ID search is done in the background just after you've entered your personal and address details, a hard search is only done at the end when you choose submit. Just check these are ID searches not credit searches.

htcclub

Marky4040 said:

Hi There, they've no reason to lie to you so if they say they haven't done a hard search or you did not click the "submit" button it's highly unlikley they will have gone ahead and done it. Could you just check the seraches are definately listed as "an application for credit" or just identification searches?

When you start an appication for a mortage, an ID search is done in the background just after you've entered your personal and address details, a hard search is only done at the end when you choose submit. Just check these are ID searches not credit searches.

Thanks mate, I don't think they lied, just think their software/processes sucks and they don't care because they can get away with it. That won't be the case with me, ombudsmen if I need to. It's 100% a hard search sadly (pic at bottom)

(Correction: On lloyds it was a limit increase on a credit card - I have 0 balance on this card, maybe that helps? )
Lloyds complaint logged (caller was ofc blagging its my fault even though it says verbatim "... will not affect credit rating"), will do Natwest complaint tomorrow.

My max lending with a few providers has been slashed by roughly 20k now, can't go elsewhere for a mortgage, will keep searching. Wondering if I can appeal to Nationwide and show them the score moved only due to the 4 new searches and show them proof for why they shouldn't be there and hence score should not have changed, and maybe get a letter from natwest/lloyds?

I don't feel like going with a cheaper property or area so if I can't make the shortfall/get the mortgage offer, I might have to just wait for (roughly) 3 months till the score cures I suppose?  I'm thankful I have only been sstc for a few days, so sellers won't be affected.

[Deleted User] said:

By how much did your score change?

htcclub

Natwest saying they can remove the hard searches, with the Sales team when they open tomorrow.
Completely shocked, hope its true, property purchase has a hope in hell now.

hpsauce86

Mmm, you shouldn’t really be applying for credit while your attempting to get a mortgage. Even if it didn’t go through. You should be waiting until after the house purchase has completed. 

CRISPIANNE3

htcclub said:

After trying to increase my overdraft with Lloyds, they did a hard search even though it says verbatim on the application page "This application won't affect your credit score"

Few days later, I started an overdraft application at Natwest, DID NOT click the final button to agree to the T&Cs and a hard search was done by them anyway. Called them up, asked if they had a record of an application (recorded the phone call) they said: "NO we have no record of a completed application, just a started one, you wont get a hard search". Hard search shows up few days later.

To add insult to injury both banks did 2 hard searches each on the same day. So 4 hard searches on my report for this month.

Reading through the forums seems like this happens all the time, have no clue what to do now. I suppose I'm just supposed to forget about buying a house for 3 months! My life has been put on hold for so long, just focusing on being cheap and saving money. Can't believe these nonsense scamming trash banks. Total scum.

Currently on the phone to Lloyds, surprisingly they seem like they are looking into it.

I have been with Lloyds for years and all my banking needs are done online and not once when applying for for an overdraft has a hard search been carried out. However one thing I would like to add is before applying they have a calculator that advises the chances of being accepted for the amount indicated. Even if I only indicate £10 it says less likely.  

I have just gone on to apply for the overdraft and on this particular occasion was for £2,000 and was accepted immediately.l

Personally speaking I think they have an issue with their software. 

JReacher1

It is easy for the company to reverse a hard search so insist that they do that tomorrow.

If you definitely didn't click the button then think you need to tell Natwest/Lloyds you will report this.  They are not allowed to conduct a hard search without permission so if you threaten to report they will probably provide compensation.  Personally I wouldn't accept less than £50 from each.

htcclub

JReacher1 said:

It is easy for the company to reverse a hard search so insist that they do that tomorrow.

If you definitely didn't click the button then think you need to tell Natwest/Lloyds you will report this.  They are not allowed to conduct a hard search without permission so if you threaten to report they will probably provide compensation.  Personally I wouldn't accept less than £50 from each.

Thanks that's very helpful, I will do this. I 100% did not click Natwest accept button and for Lloyds I did go through but it said it wouldn't affect score.

hpsauce86 said:

Mmm, you shouldn’t really be applying for credit while your attempting to get a mortgage. Even if it didn’t go through. You should be waiting until after the house purchase has completed. 

Well having to refrain from something based on someone else's potential fraudulent behaviour isn't really on, neither bank had consent to search. In future I will be refraining from this of course though!

htcclub

Natwest agreed to remove the searches without hassle, 2-3 days, but will take longer to reflect in the bureau.
Lloyds pending.