Credit rating report - soft searches

[nicelyneurotic]

Hi
I hope someone can help me. I've recently checked my credit score and it all looks about right, except loads of soft searches have been carried out in my name, and regularly too.
Some of them look like payday loan type companies, there's everyday loans, sunny, giff gaff and about and 10 others I've not heard of.

Does this mean someone has been searching for loans in my name? I'm a bit freaked out by this.

I don't have a loan myself and have never checked eligibility for one. Should I do something about it?

I don't want to alarm you but it does sound like someone has been searching but not applying if they are soft searches. Are you absolutely positive you have not done anything related to your credit score recently? Even something like using Martin Lewis' credit club or similar? A lot of companies that give you your credit score also tell you your eligibility for credit with certain companies. This involves a soft search.

Comparison sites can also do soft searches when you get quotes, which then can recur each year on the anniversary of the quote.

Make sure you check your score with all three credit ref agencies, Equifax, Experian and Call Credit. Clearscore checks Equifax data for free, Noddle checks Call Credit for free, there's a free version of Experian but I can't remember the name. Some companies only report to one credit ref agency, so check all three in case something shows up on one that doesn't show on the others.

If you think someone is using your info, you can contact CIFAS and ask for a protective registration. It costs about £20 and puts a note on your credit file (can't remember if it's for one year or two). This means any credit applications will need additional identification checks and makes it harder for someone to obtain credit in your name.

Thank you both. I recently signed up to clear score to check my rating but the searches had been made on my address before the date I signed up.