Overview
Experian is integrated into Smartr365 for credit report retrieval and open banking data access. The process is consent-based: you request consent from your client, they approve via a secure link, and you can then pull their credit report. Experian also supports open banking, allowing you to access bank account data with client consent. Experian is a subscription-based service with usage limits.
Subscription Requirements
Experian credit reports require an active subscription:
Subscription Detail | Description |
Usage Limit | Total number of credit reports allowed |
Remaining | Reports still available |
Overage Allowed | Whether you can exceed the limit |
When your limit is reached, the credit report button will be disabled unless overage is permitted.
Mandatory Fields
Experian does not require per-user credentials. The integration is configured at the business level. However, client data must be complete:
Client Data Required
Field | Required | Notes |
Full Name | Yes | From client record |
Date of Birth | Yes | From client record |
Email Address | Yes | Used to send consent request |
Address History | Yes | Experian requires full address history for matching |
Important: Address history is critical for Experian. Without accurate, complete address history, the credit report request will fail.
Step 1: Request Consent
Open the client's case
Navigate to the Experian section
Click Request Consent
The client receives an email with a secure, tokenised link
The consent status shows as Requested
Step 2: Client Approves Consent
The client clicks the secure link in their email and can:
Approve — Consent granted, you can now pull the credit report
Decline — Consent denied, you cannot proceed
The consent link expires after a set period. If it expires, you'll need to send a new consent request.
Consent Status Flow
Status | Meaning |
Not Requested | No consent request sent yet |
Requested | Waiting for client to respond |
Approved | Client approved — ready to pull report |
Declined | Client declined consent |
Expired | Consent link expired — resend required |
Step 3: Pull the Credit Report
Once consent is Approved, the credit report button becomes active
Click to request the credit report
Experian retrieves the data and returns a detailed report
The report is displayed in Smartr365 and stored against the case
Reviewing Data Differences
The credit report may show discrepancies between the data you hold in Smartr365 and what Experian has on file. The difference review screen allows you to reconcile these:
Difference Categories
Address History — Differences in addresses held
Credit History — Credit account differences
Commitments — Outstanding commitment differences
For each difference, you can select whether to keep the Smartr365 data or update it with the Experian data. Selected changes are saved back to the case.
Open Banking
Experian also supports open banking data retrieval, which allows you to access client bank account information (with their consent). The consent flow is integrated with the credit report consent process. Open banking reports are downloaded and stored in the client's document store.
Common Issues
Consent expired — The client did not respond in time. Send a new consent request
Client declined — The client chose not to grant consent. Discuss with your client and resend if they change their mind
Address history errors — Experian requires accurate address history for matching. Ensure the client's address history is complete and correct in the fact-find
"Limit Reached" — Your subscription credit report limit has been reached. Contact your account manager
Report not available — The report may still be processing. Experian reports are monitored in the background — check back shortly
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