When running a credit check, there may be instances where a file is successfully returned for an applicant one time, but not on a subsequent check. This can understandably cause confusion — especially when the same details appear to have been used.
What’s happening behind the scenes?
Credit bureaus require a certain number of verified data points — such as name, date of birth, and address history — to confidently match an individual to their credit file. If the bureau can’t make a satisfactory match, no file will be returned. This is an important safety mechanism designed to avoid retrieving the wrong person’s credit information.
Why might a file not be matched?
Over time, data on someone’s credit file can become outdated, especially if the individual hasn’t taken out new credit or moved address recently. If the available data doesn’t meet the bureau’s matching threshold, the system will return no result.
This can happen even if a previous credit check did return a file. Each search is assessed independently, and successful matching in the past doesn’t guarantee future success — particularly if fewer data points are available or if recent address changes haven’t been included.
What can I do to improve the match?
If you suspect this is the case:
Go to the Assess screen.
Enter all known addresses for the applicant — current and previous.
Check the ‘Force check’ option to request a broader search.
This increases the chances of retrieving the correct file, particularly where previous addresses were key to the original match.
If you need help using the Assess screen or understanding the results, please contact us.