FAQs
What will you do with my data?
How we use your data depends on the service that you sign up for, and we explain everything in detail in our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. If you want to do a one-time check on your eligibility, we will use your data to soft search your credit file and we will email your results to you. We work with credit reference agencies and lenders to give you the best overview of your eligibility for credit products, and may share your data with these and other data processors that we work with. If you sign up to get your free credit report score and Borrowing Power from TotallyMoney, then we will use credit reference agencies and lender data to retrieve your credit report, score and Borrowing Power every month. Signing up for your free credit report and score will not impact your credit file. You can choose not to receive marketing from us any time without affecting your access to your free credit report. We never sell your data to third parties. We always comply with our legal obligations and we keep your data safe using security standards verified by Verisign, one of the leading providers of online security. Please read our Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions and Cookies Policy for further details, or contact us at help@totallymoney.com if you have any questions.
How do you use this information?
We use the information you give us to find your file at the credit reference agency. We then do a soft search (see next section) and compare your details with the acceptance criteria of each individual card provider to see how likely you are to be offered that credit card.
How does this work?
We do a soft search on your credit file. A soft search is like a quick peek at your credit file. It allows us to see the information we need in order to work out your eligibility for different cards. The great thing about a soft search is it doesn't have a negative impact on your credit rating because it can't be seen by potential lenders.
Can you guarantee I'll be accepted?
Unfortunately not. We can predict with a high degree of accuracy your likelihood of being accepted, the final decision rests with the card provider based on your credit history and passing fraud and identity checks.
Will this impact my credit rating?
No, a soft search has no impact on your credit rating. It will leave a footprint on your credit file (shown as a quotation or eligibility search) but this isn't visible to lenders and so doesn't affect your credit rating. In comparison, when you apply for a credit card a full search of your credit file takes place, which can be seen by other lenders. Lots of full credit searches cause concern for lenders who assume you are applying for a lot of different credit products.
Why not just apply to the card company directly?
The credit card company will do a full search on your credit file, which is visible to other lenders, and if you’re rejected then it could harm your credit rating. A soft search is not visible to lenders and can’t damage your credit rating, plus it’s much quicker than completing a full credit card application.
What do 'pre-approved' and 'card approved' mean?
In either case, there is no guarantee that you will be accepted. Both decisions are based on the information that you have provided and both are subject to you passing the lender's checks. Pre-approved means that if you are accepted you will get the card at the rate advertised. Card approved means that if you are accepted you will get the card, but could be offered a different rate to that advertised.