Thanks for that information. It is exactly opposite of what the solicitor said - or to be fair, what I understood her to have said.
She advised that debts were NOT recorded out of country. Yes, I am aware that IJ etc are international are international. (We use them in Spain and UK) My understanding was that the information was recorded separately. Let me get clarification on Monday.
Mmm, interesting one.
I think it depends on the country in question. For example: I have recently opened bank accounts in Canada, the Czech Republic and Spain. In all these cases all I had to do was show a passport and proof of address and the account was opened on the same day. No credit reference required.
By contrast when I applied for an account with a UK offshore bank I had to supply six months' statements from one of my existing banks, proof of origin of income, certified copy of passport, proof of address, where the money I was opening the account with had been earned or otherwise gained and had to complete an application form which asked many detailed and personal questions.
Some UK banks do seek credit references before you can open an account, RBS for one.
What with money-laundering for various purposes -crime, terrorism -on a global scale I would be amazed if most UK banks and lenders generally didn't require proof of all-round status. I was surprised that it was so easy in those three countries.
Oversight of financial transactions is incredibly sophisticated these days. HRMC can gain access to credit card records to ascertain whether UK nationals claiming residence outside the UK are in fact living abroad. If you used your Amex in Birminham or Barnstaple for nine months of the year but were claiming you were resident in Spain....you'd be found out!!
