An Application Search is a search of your credit report which relates to a genuine application for credit, as opposed to a search that is obtained when a consumer shops around for credit and gets a quotation, which is called an Enquiry.
Application Searches are counted towards your Credit Score, but Enquiries are not.
If you have many Application Searches within a few hours, this can be taken as an indication of identity fraud. Most people have around a dozen Application Searches on their credit report. None at all gives rise to suspicion that a person may not be experienced in handling credit – known as ‘credit inactive’ – and the absence of Application Searches can therefore have an adverse impact on your Credit Score.
Contrary to pub talk, Application Searches do not automatically damage your chances of getting credit, unless there are very high numbers made in a relatively short space of time.
Experian calls Application Searches ‘CAPS’ which stands for Credit Application Previous Search.
See also Search Footprint.
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