Credit checks

Obstacles

Hi everyone
I am completing the questions to obtain my credit score from Experian. They are asking for bank details including my account number to identify me. This I wish to avoid for security reasons. Is there any way around this? 

Ayr_Rage

Very unlikely.

CliveOfIndia

Why do you want to avoid this?  Bank details cannot, in themselves, be used for any fraudulent purposes (as long as you don't get asked for logon details) - and as long as you are sure you're on the genuine Experian website, there really is no reason to be suspicious.

I'll say it before anyone else does - the credit score issued by Experian is pretty much meaningless - its only value is to alert you to sudden, unexpected changes.  But it's certainly very sensible to check that all the raw data they hold are correct (it's worth checking all 3 of your credit files for this purpose).

Obstacles

CliveOfIndia said:

Why do you want to avoid this?  Bank details cannot, in themselves, be used for any fraudulent purposes (as long as you don't get asked for logon details) - and as long as you are sure you're on the genuine Experian website, there really is no reason to be suspicious.

I'll say it before anyone else does - the credit score issued by Experian is pretty much meaningless - its only value is to alert you to sudden, unexpected changes.  But it's certainly very sensible to check that all the raw data they hold are correct (it's worth checking all 3 of your credit files for this purpose).

Hi Clive,
Thanks very much for your reply. In an age where data breaches, such as the recent one involving M&S, and other cybersecurity incidents are becoming increasingly common, I tend to be extra cautious with certain personal details — particularly bank account numbers and sort codes.

Also as an ex bank employee banks are quick to blame the customer when there is a breach. Not everyone gets their monies totally refunded.

" the credit score issued by Experian is pretty much meaningless " thank you for the info. and based on that info I shall not be going any further with it esp my suspicious mind turns to Experian as a data collector/info for sale.

Nasqueron

It's worth checking, at the least, Equifax (via Clear Score) and Trans Union (via Credit Karma) though you may need some ID check to see it. This is to ensure there is no rogue information on your account like fraudulent applications.

I would note though that the credit agencies have access to everything that is reported to them so your bank or credit card likely already report to Experian who can see what you have

sourcrates

Obstacles said:

Hi everyone
I am completing the questions to obtain my credit score from Experian. They are asking for bank details including my account number to identify me. This I wish to avoid for security reasons. Is there any way around this? 

You can obtain a statutory credit report for free, from each of the three main CRA.

You will obviously have to comply with data protection, which will mean confirming certain personal details about yourself.

The CRA will already have this information from your file, all you do is confirm it, so your not telling them anything they don`t already know.

CliveOfIndia

Obstacles said:

 esp my suspicious mind turns to Experian as a data collector/info for sale.

Well, that is exactly what they (along with the other CRAs) do - it's pretty much their sole purpose.  They hold data relating to your financial status/history, and sell it to lenders when requested, who use the data to determine whether or not they are prepared to lend money or extend credit to you.

So yes, collecting and selling data is precisely what they do - it's no secret.  But there's also no need to be suspicious of them from that point of view.