Applying for Credit Cards - a/c number?

They need to verify your creditworthiness. Anyone can put down a fictitious account.

but can they use my

What do you mean?

Alec

Ok, yeah, but how do they check my credit worthiness with my sort code and account number? I'm confused. My current account bank can't (and won't) give out details about my balances or anything, do they?

Basically, I have more than more current account. Each used for different things. Which one do I give? The one that has been open the longest, or what?

T.

They probably want to check you have a bank account. Not having a bank account will affect your credit score.

Have you checked your credit report recently? I remember at least my current A/C and its overdraft limit is on mine, but I can't remember whether the current balance is. I'm not sure that the number and sort code are on it, but I know the bank is.

Dunno. Either it's done on age of account, or it's done on how much overdraft/activity you have on the account.

cd

I have ordered it, just waiting for it to arrive. Probably next week. Do I need to request my credit files from both major agencies (Equifax and Experian - right?), or is the information held on each the same?

I see...

Say for example my current accounts _is_ listed on my credit report, could it basically affect my chances of opening other current accounts at other branches? For example, the terms for most is that their account, with 'new' bank, is the only and main day-to-day banking account. Could this new bank therefore refuse an opening of new current account for the reason I already have (or two etc.) ??

I shouldn't have overdraft information on my credit file though, as I've only recently just turned 18 and haven't applied for one with either one of my current accounts (I have to convert them to student types first anyway).

T.

They will hold similar information, but there were differences between mine. I think there are actually three credit agencies, but I can't remember the third.

Possibly. I suspect they're more interested normally in getting new customers usually, and assume you'll use their account as your day-to-day account, or switch over to it.

My first current A/C (a HSBC student one) never actually appeared on my credit report.

cd

Just looked at my latest credit report from Experian and it doesn't have any mention of my bank account. I have an overdraft limit but I rarely use it.

It depends on the lender. Sometimes you have to abuse the facility to get it on the report!

My HSBC student/graduate A/C isn't on it. My Halifax current A/C is on it.

cd

Call Credit. When I looked, they had nothing on my file except electoral register details.

It is mostly the same, but you may find there is info on one file that isn't on the other.

Out of interest are you able to convert your Halifax to a student type too and therefore take advantage of their student account benefits as well? I mean for example, will they know/care that you have a student account with HSBC?

T.

Ah, I'm not a student any more. I got the Halifax A/C when I had a job. The HSBC A/C was a student A/C and now is a Graduate A/C (but still doesn't show on my credit report).

BTW, I had a friend who had about 4 student A/Cs, maxed up to their overdrafts...

cd

Well, yeah ;-) Although I 'plan' to have some activity on the accounts to keep them happy and simply stick the overdraft funds into savings (along with 0% CC cheque transfers etc.).

Thanks for all your replies, very useful.

T.