For you International Credit Gurus

[hrguy]

This was asked in the BK forum by someone but it is kinda credit related..some of you international/seasoned folks may know:

 

I know TU has international offices, but do they supply reports to overseas creditors?

 

Does EQ and EX have international offices?

 

The original question was if a BK'er moved overseas, would the BK come up on for an international creditor? I know they have their own bureaus in alot of countries, but do they reference back to our US reports if they know we are from the US?

 

Does TU, EX or EQ supply reports for overseas citizens to overseas creditors in their respective countries?

[BDK]

Short answer, yes. Experian's corp headquarters IS in Dublin, Ireland.

 

http://www.experianplc.com/about-experian/history.aspx

[hrguy]

Short answer, yes. Experian's corp headquarters IS in Dublin, Ireland.

 

http://www.experianplc.com/about-experian/history.aspx

Interesting, here I thought Allen, TX was their headquarters.

[BDK]

 

Short answer, yes. Experian's corp headquarters IS in Dublin, Ireland.

 

http://www.experianplc.com/about-experian/history.aspx

Interesting, here I thought Allen, TX was their headquarters.

US headquarters.

[hrguy]

So more or less, say I move to Iraq - and apply for an Iraqi bank cc, you think my BK would come to their attention? Or one of the big 3 would be the report supplier?

Edited March 9, 2013 by hrguy

[PhoenixDown]

On the flip side, would a US person be able to obtain a credit card from an internationally based bank without a US presence?

[hrguy]

Good question - not sure. I know international folks can get some of our US backed bank cards without a US presence.

[BDK]

Huh?

[PotO]

Short answer, yes. Experian's corp headquarters IS in Dublin, Ireland.

 

http://www.experianplc.com/about-experian/history.aspx

Long answer, no.

 

I have an Experian file in the UK, Hong Kong and, of course, the US. There is no cross reference of any of the data.

 

Not very long ago I applied for a Citi US card and get declined due to the no cards reporting a balance b.s. excuse. I wrote a letter to the Citi CEO and their EO contacted me. I asked her if they couldn't see or somehow verify that I have been an actual Citi HK credit card customer for many years and they stated it was impossible. The only way, she said, was to actually call Citi HK and ask. Even then, she said, I had to give them permission and even then all they could obtain was account age and whether or not it is in good standing.

 

Went through something like the opposite with HSBC when first stationed in HK. They said it was impossible for them to access my US credit data via the CRAs. The only exception, they stated, was for business credit reports.

 

Same with AmEx. They gave me a HK AmEx based upon being a cardholder in the US, but only since I specifically requested they do so. They could not access Experian in the US, but spoke with AmEx in the US to inquire about my accounts there. AmEx US did not place either a hard or a soft on my credit reports.

[hrguy]

Interesting, thanks for the info. I will have to link the poster back to this thread in the BK forum

[PotO]

Good question - not sure. I know international folks can get some of our US backed bank cards without a US presence.

For example?

 

I know Barclays and HSBC will give you a US card based upon your experience with them overseas, but you still need to have a US presence. Same with B of A and undocumented aliens from Mexico, but they still need some sort of US nexus.

[hrguy]

 

Short answer, yes. Experian's corp headquarters IS in Dublin, Ireland.

 

http://www.experianplc.com/about-experian/history.aspx

Long answer, no.

 

I have an Experian file in the UK, Hong Kong and, of course, the US. There is no cross reference of any of the data.

 

Not very long ago I applied for a Citi US card and get declined due to the no cards reporting a balance b.s. excuse. I wrote a letter to the Citi CEO and their EO contacted me. I asked her if they couldn't see or somehow verify that I have been an actual Citi HK credit card customer for many years and they stated it was impossible. The only way, she said, was to actually call Citi HK and ask. Even then, she said, I had to give them permission and even then all they could obtain was account age and whether or not it is in good standing.

 

Went through something like the opposite with HSBC when first stationed in HK. They said it was impossible for them to access my US credit data via the CRAs. The only exception, they stated, was for business credit reports.

 

Same with AmEx. They gave me a HK AmEx based upon being a cardholder in the US, but only since I specifically requested they do so. They could not access Experian in the US, but spoke with AmEx in the US to inquire about my accounts there. AmEx US did not place either a hard or a soft on my credit reports.

Did you apply for other credit cards that were not linked to US Banks while overseas? How did they judge your credit worthiness, based on their own national bureaus?

[hrguy]

 

 

Good question - not sure. I know international folks can get some of our US backed bank cards without a US presence.

For example?

 

I know Barclays and HSBC will give you a US card based upon your experience with them overseas, but you still need to have a US presence. Same with B of A and undocumented aliens from Mexico, but they still need some sort of US nexus.

Cant remember the Bank, I think it was Citi - but I had relatives that lived in Barbados, and only came here on visitor visas and got approved for US cards, I think it was Citi. Edited March 9, 2013 by hrguy

[Dr. Dolemite]

The original question was if a BK'er moved overseas, would the BK come up on for an international creditor? I know they have their own bureaus in alot of countries, but do they reference back to our US reports if they know we are from the US?

Reminds me of a guy I once knew who was here from Peru on a visa. He

was here long enough to establish credit, get credit cards, and rack up

tons of debt. Then, he moved back to South America. I wonder if he got

away with it . . .

Edited March 9, 2013 by Dr. Dolemite

[hrguy]

 

The original question was if a BK'er moved overseas, would the BK come up on for an international creditor? I know they have their own bureaus in alot of countries, but do they reference back to our US reports if they know we are from the US?

Reminds me of a guy I once knew who was here from Peru on a visa. He

was here long enough to establish credit, get credit cards, and rack up

tons of debt. Then, he moved back to South America. I wonder if he got

away with it . . .

Lol, I don't know how that would go.

 

The OP in the BK forum was asking if she moved to Canada or Australia, and applied for credit if her BK here in the US be visible to CRA's/Creditors in those countries.

[hrguy]

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=508278&do=findComment&comment=4815682

[PotO]

 

 

 

Short answer, yes. Experian's corp headquarters IS in Dublin, Ireland.

http://www.experianplc.com/about-experian/history.aspx

 

Long answer, no.

I have an Experian file in the UK, Hong Kong and, of course, the US. There is no cross reference of any of the data.

Not very long ago I applied for a Citi US card and get declined due to the no cards reporting a balance b.s. excuse. I wrote a letter to the Citi CEO and their EO contacted me. I asked her if they couldn't see or somehow verify that I have been an actual Citi HK credit card customer for many years and they stated it was impossible. The only way, she said, was to actually call Citi HK and ask. Even then, she said, I had to give them permission and even then all they could obtain was account age and whether or not it is in good standing.

Went through something like the opposite with HSBC when first stationed in HK. They said it was impossible for them to access my US credit data via the CRAs. The only exception, they stated, was for business credit reports.

Same with AmEx. They gave me a HK AmEx based upon being a cardholder in the US, but only since I specifically requested they do so. They could not access Experian in the US, but spoke with AmEx in the US to inquire about my accounts there. AmEx US did not place either a hard or a soft on my credit reports.

Did you apply for other credit cards that were not linked to US Banks while overseas? How did they judge your credit worthiness, based on their own national bureaus?

I've applied for tons since then and they all go through the bureaus there. The trick was getting the first card and so that's where I pulled the US bank to overseas affiliate stunt. Once you get that first and it reports, you start building your credit there. Now when I apply, they pull the bureau for that particular country and judge.

 

IME, UK is easiest. Seems like they actually want to help. HK and Peru were problematic and to accomplish anything you need to fight at first.

[PotO]

 

The original question was if a BK'er moved overseas, would the BK come up on for an international creditor? I know they have their own bureaus in alot of countries, but do they reference back to our US reports if they know we are from the US?

Reminds me of a guy I once knew who was here from Peru on a visa. He

was here long enough to establish credit, get credit cards, and rack up

tons of debt. Then, he moved back to South America. I wonder if he got

away with it . . .

I'm sure he did. Seen that happen before from both ends.

[PotO]

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=508278&do=findComment&comment=4815682

I just noticed the OP on that thread mentioned Canada. I've no experience at all with Canadian credit, but heard that Canada to US and US to Canada can be problematic with negative credit history. But that's just what I heard and so no idea if it is accurate or not.

 

I would think, however, it should be ok. How would a Canadian bank have permissible purpose to pull in the US? How would they even identify you w/out SSN or previous US address?

[Burgerwars]

 

 

 

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=508278&do=findComment&comment=4815682

I just noticed the OP on that thread mentioned Canada. I've no experience at all with Canadian credit, but heard that Canada to US and US to Canada can be problematic with negative credit history. But that's just what I heard and so no idea if it is accurate or not.

 

I would think, however, it should be ok. How would a Canadian bank have permissible purpose to pull in the US? How would they even identify you w/out SSN or previous US address?

I do not live in Canada but do have a bank account and credit card with a large Canadian bank. They did inquire on my U.S. Trans Union report when deciding to give me a credit card. I gave them all my ID info to do it. If anyone is thinking of doing the same, I had to apply in person for the card and I already had a checking and savings account with the bank for over 20 years. Edited March 9, 2013 by Burgerwars

[hrguy]

thanks for the replies

[Burgerwars]

 

 

 

 

Short answer, yes. Experian's corp headquarters IS in Dublin, Ireland.

http://www.experianplc.com/about-experian/history.aspx

Long answer, no.

I have an Experian file in the UK, Hong Kong and, of course, the US. There is no cross reference of any of the data.

Not very long ago I applied for a Citi US card and get declined due to the no cards reporting a balance b.s. excuse. I wrote a letter to the Citi CEO and their EO contacted me. I asked her if they couldn't see or somehow verify that I have been an actual Citi HK credit card customer for many years and they stated it was impossible. The only way, she said, was to actually call Citi HK and ask. Even then, she said, I had to give them permission and even then all they could obtain was account age and whether or not it is in good standing.

Went through something like the opposite with HSBC when first stationed in HK. They said it was impossible for them to access my US credit data via the CRAs. The only exception, they stated, was for business credit reports.

Same with AmEx. They gave me a HK AmEx based upon being a cardholder in the US, but only since I specifically requested they do so. They could not access Experian in the US, but spoke with AmEx in the US to inquire about my accounts there. AmEx US did not place either a hard or a soft on my credit reports.

Did you apply for other credit cards that were not linked to US Banks while overseas? How did they judge your credit worthiness, based on their own national bureaus?

I've applied for tons since then and they all go through the bureaus there. The trick was getting the first card and so that's where I pulled the US bank to overseas affiliate stunt. Once you get that first and it reports, you start building your credit there. Now when I apply, they pull the bureau for that particular country and judge.

 

IME, UK is easiest. Seems like they actually want to help. HK and Peru were problematic and to accomplish anything you need to fight at first.

Interesting. I'm talking ages ago, but I also opened up a checking/savings/credit card account with a large UK bank, even though at the time I never had set foot in the country. It wasn't complicated, but took perseverance. The debit and credit card I have with them turned out to be my first true chip and PIN cards, when they started issuing them.

 

It's no where as easy to do the same now. Things have certainly changed. That is why I don't screw around with these banking relationships. I feel these financial relationships are as important as ones I have in the US. You just never know when you'll need them for something major. The balances are small, but I do watch over them. As far as me having a UK, or Canada, based credit report, I don't know. I never bothered to check.

[hegemony]

TU in bigger in the UK (Call Credit) than the US...

[hrguy]

TU in bigger in the UK (Call Credit) than the US...

[PotO]

 

 

 

 

 

Short answer, yes. Experian's corp headquarters IS in Dublin, Ireland.

http://www.experianplc.com/about-experian/history.aspx

Long answer, no.

I have an Experian file in the UK, Hong Kong and, of course, the US. There is no cross reference of any of the data.

Not very long ago I applied for a Citi US card and get declined due to the no cards reporting a balance b.s. excuse. I wrote a letter to the Citi CEO and their EO contacted me. I asked her if they couldn't see or somehow verify that I have been an actual Citi HK credit card customer for many years and they stated it was impossible. The only way, she said, was to actually call Citi HK and ask. Even then, she said, I had to give them permission and even then all they could obtain was account age and whether or not it is in good standing.

Went through something like the opposite with HSBC when first stationed in HK. They said it was impossible for them to access my US credit data via the CRAs. The only exception, they stated, was for business credit reports.

Same with AmEx. They gave me a HK AmEx based upon being a cardholder in the US, but only since I specifically requested they do so. They could not access Experian in the US, but spoke with AmEx in the US to inquire about my accounts there. AmEx US did not place either a hard or a soft on my credit reports.

Did you apply for other credit cards that were not linked to US Banks while overseas? How did they judge your credit worthiness, based on their own national bureaus?

I've applied for tons since then and they all go through the bureaus there. The trick was getting the first card and so that's where I pulled the US bank to overseas affiliate stunt. Once you get that first and it reports, you start building your credit there. Now when I apply, they pull the bureau for that particular country and judge.

 

IME, UK is easiest. Seems like they actually want to help. HK and Peru were problematic and to accomplish anything you need to fight at first.

Interesting. I'm talking ages ago, but I also opened up a checking/savings/credit card account with a large UK bank, even though at the time I never had set foot in the country. It wasn't complicated, but took perseverance. The debit and credit card I have with them turned out to be my first true chip and PIN cards, when they started issuing them.

 

It's no where as easy to do the same now. Things have certainly changed. That is why I don't screw around with these banking relationships. I feel these financial relationships are as important as ones I have in the US. You just never know when you'll need them for something major. The balances are small, but I do watch over them. As far as me having a UK, or Canada, based credit report, I don't know. I never bothered to check.

 

I'm pretty sure you do have one. Even for opening a basic account in the UK they do an inquiry because, in part, that's one of the only ways they can see if you are on the electoral register.