Reply to: WTF Experian?!

[BlasterBates]

It's normal for an employer to do some background checks and ask for references. You probably should have left off the current agency .

I don't see a problem in providing previous agencies. They can simply confirm your contracts.

[Lance]

I’ve just done this and on my form there was a box to tick for current client contact permissions.

not in the small print then???

[BackupBoy]

I’ve just done this and on my form there was a box to tick for current client contact permissions.

[jayn200]

Did they find their own contact there? or did you provide it for them?

I mean if you gave them a name and email or phone number for your current client/job I don't how you're surprised that they reached out to them.

If they looked up the information themselves then yes I agree that's going a little too far and I would probably give them a hard time.

[BigDataPro]

All you have to give is the name of your company and that of your accountant who will act as reference to confirm you were the director from whenever your company started until now. So far it has always worked for me with these reference agencies including banks.

This is what I did until now including the current contract. After all, agencies get closed and they are only looking for the past 5 years.

[Eirikur]

All you have to give is the name of your company and that of your accountant who will act as reference to confirm you were the director from whenever your company started until now. So far it has always worked for me with these reference agencies including banks.

[SueEllen]

Anyway next time read the small print.

[northernladuk]

As I said, I was expecting for them to contact previous employers and agencies. Just not the current one as I feel it's a bit of a dick move.

What happens if you've a great history but are committing every fraud possible at your current spot. They wouldn't be carrying out very good diligence if they didn't check that gig? It will be a previous employer once you start with them as well I guess.

[Lance]

because that's never happened in my 10 year career. previous employers/agencies were contacted but never the one I was currently working for.

I just found it weird and cheeky, nothing more.

when it's an agency doing the check then maybe. But not a credit reference company.

[PCTNN]

why would you expect that?
You put a contact down on a form. You have implicitly suggested in fact, that they do contact them

because that's never happened in my 10 year career. previous employers/agencies were contacted but never the one I was currently working for.

I just found it weird and cheeky, nothing more.

[Lance]

As I said, I was expecting for them to contact previous employers and agencies. Just not the current one as I feel it's a bit of a dick move.

why would you expect that?
You put a contact down on a form. You have implicitly suggested in fact, that they do contact them

[PCTNN]

what did you expect?
They're paid to contact everyone you provided details for. Did you think they'd just file it?

As I said, I was expecting for them to contact previous employers and agencies. Just not the current one as I feel it's a bit of a dick move.

[PCTNN]

If you were actually an employee where you have previous employers, then unless you specifically ask a potential new employer not to they will contact your current employer.

In the work history section of the form I've put down a mix of employers from my permie time and recruitment agencies, included the one that sourced my current contract.

I was expecting for Experian to contact my previous ones, but not the current one. Especially since I don't recall giving my consent. Unless, as I said, it was buried in the fine prints, which to me is dodgy, so was wondering if it was common practice or just Experian being a bit of a dick

Oh well...

[Lance]

what did you expect?
They're paid to contact everyone you provided details for. Did you think they'd just file it?

[SueEllen]

If you were actually an employee where you have previous employers, then unless you specifically ask a potential new employer not to they will contact your current employer.