Privacy - Credit reference agencies

We may undertake a search with Credit Reference Agencies for the purpose of verifying identity and the details submitted, in line with regulatory requirements. The Credit Reference Agencies may check the details supplied against any databases (public or otherwise) to which they have access. They may also use the details in the future to assist other companies for verification purposes. A record of the search will be retained, but will not affect future credit. By proceeding with an application the applicant is agreeing to a search being undertaken in this way.

At Application Stage

When assessing the application, we may carry out a credit reference search with one or more licensed credit reference agencies. This may have implications on future credit worthiness for the applicant.

Whether or not the application to us is successful, each agency will add details of the search, and the application, to their records and will share this information with other lenders and grantors of credit and insurance who will use it when assessing any applications for banking, loan, hire facilities or insurance which the applicant may make in future. They will use it for verifying identity, fraud prevention, debt recovery and tracing debtors. The agencies may also use the information for statistical analysis and market research.

We may from time to time carry out an additional credit search for account management purposes but this will not affect future creditworthiness.

We may disclose details of how the account is conducted, (including arrears, defaults and repossession proceedings), to credit reference agencies and fraud prevention bodies.

We use the following credit reference agencies for credit searches and identity checks:

Experian	Equifax
Consumer Help Service Experian P.O. Box 8000 Nottingham NG1 5GX Website: www.experian.com	Credit File Advice Centre Equifax P.O. Box 1140 Bradford BD1 5US Website: www.equifax.com

Individuals have the right to apply to them for details of information they hold, subject to payment of a fee, currently £2. Any letter must include:
- full name - (title, forename, 2nd initial, surname and maiden name, if appropriate).
- details of all addresses lived at over the last 6 years -(including town, county, postcode and date moved).
- a cheque or postal order, payable to either Equifax or Experian, for £2.
- the date and a signature to formally authorise the Credit File request.