Hi, Just wondering if anyone knows how long a linked address stays on your credit report for? In my previous post I am disputing the actual address but just wondered whether anyone knows whether this falls off after 6 years (as i'd have been at my present addy for that same period of time which is all that is required by the CRA's)..... Forget the issue that I never lived there (lol), i'm thinking it might be easier to just wait 6 years.... Previous post: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/credit-reference-agencies/172948-help-credit-ref-agencies.html

First and foremost your son cannot have a credit file as he is not 18 - therefore nothing can go against him period. I'd forget about that element because it is not possible to have credit unless you are under 18. If anything, the mobile company has broken the CCA by granting a minor credit, basically any court in the land would scrap the debt for this reason and this reason alone. I'd try and be ballsy by threatening them with court action for granting a minor credit - worth a try. On that note you are not responsible for paying the mobile company any money because they cannot put anything on your report as it wasn't in your name and they can't put anything on his report as he is a minor therefore he was missold a contract - misselling a minor credit is severely frowned upon by the courts and the mobile company would get a bigger fine than any deby you may have with them. If anything i'd also CCA them (with the £1 fee) and unless they can provide you a copy of a signed agreement then you have nothing to worry about as technically, there never was an account in the first place! Obviously others will give more detailed advice but that's what i'd do! Best of luck..... By the way - can you name and shame the mobile company?

Good luck - the CRA's are a pain as i'm finding out to my cost! Other option is to request they stop processing your data electronically which means that any prospective lenders will not be able to use anything on your report as they will get a NIL return when they try and score you.... may stop you getting credit but for the same respect, it shouldn't as technically speaking you wouldn't have any history.... see my other post for details of letters etc : http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/credit-reference-agencies/172948-help-credit-ref-agencies.html

Any help greatly appreciated......

Hi Spark, The first link doesn't work mate - also taking them to court is really my final option - I would only do this when every other option has been exhausted. I'm primarily wondering whether what they wrote back to me is true or utter crap? Cheers

Hi Spark (everyone), Below is attachment of Equifax response to my letters/emails (shown on page 1 of this thread). Are they right or can I demand they do as I ask - i'm confused lol Please help - prior to my response to them..... Thanks Equifax 16_12_08.doc

cheers mate - will do. Am i safe using a cheque then or postal orders better?

I don't feel sorry for them, when they email you they give substandard replies and ignore most questions - seems none of the staff actually 'go that extra mile' which is what good ole fashioned customer services is all about in my eyes........ Just my opinion ;-(

Drum, I happen to know a guy who used to work for Maddison James - he may be freelance now but worth a try - details are: Craig Elliott (ceMAP) Tel: 07917 686995 or office 0845 4022622 Look here - this explains for you - maddisonjames.co.uk/bad_credit.html Best advice get an appointment then explain your details and take paperwork in - they are good guys there - let us know how you get on with that element. :-)

Hi Drum, Ok my mortgage is for over £250k and mine is with Gmac RFC. I only have a 68% LTV which helps but the key point is the APR (6.1% fixed for 3 yrs).... seems dear now but back in 2007 it was great deal. You get a GMAC RFC mortgage by using Financial Advisors such as Maddison James - who are also free..... they specialise in self cert/sub prime mortgages. Hope this helps - can't do much for your problem but hope the mortgage info helps, if even to save you a few quid....

They also show any financial associations such as partners details if you have a joint account.....

Spark, Thanks for info - i'm basically refusing to pay. I am entitled to a free report and sent form off but they will not budge without I.D. I sent it though and got told they received it.... Also, is it worth just getting SAR instead of paying £10 for this plus £2 for credit file, being they should send a credit file with my SAR? Thanks for your help - you know I appreciate it matey

Take all details to mortgage lender - use a non standard one such as Gmac RFC who do not care so much about past credit (rates are decent-ish) and with your proof they'd look beyond the default..... Also with Mortgages I was always led to believe if you have one and pay it on time they look at it differently to that of other credit applications.....

Noticed a few people requesting contact (phone) details for Equifax - see below - details correct as at 15/12/2008: Hope they can be of use to someone! Certainly not me lol Paula Cloney Customer Relations Equifax plc Customer Services Centre PO Box 1140 Bradford BD1 5US Tel: 00353 5391 67543 Fax: + 353 5391 49010 Email Address: paula.cloney@equifax.com

Noticed a few people requesting contact (phone) details for Call Credit - see below - details correct as at 15/12/2008: Hope they can be of use to someone! Certainly not me lol Karen Cawthraw Consumer Services Assistant Callcredit Limited One Park Lane Leeds West Yorkshire LS3 1EP United Kingdom Tel : 0845 120 1222 Fax : +44 (0) 113 234 0050 Email: Karen.Cawthraw@callcredit.co.uk Web: Callcredit Information Group;

Ermmm, I sent a snotty reply to Experian - any help would be appreciated Thanks again

Ahh no, I fully agree with you - what I mean is the govt depts DO think that CRA's are the 'law' - to be honest i'd take a large brown envelope, who wouldn't? lol If anything to sue the ass off the CRA's ;-) Does that mean all the spooks out there never have credit? I wouldn't risk it cos the incorrect info supplied by CRA's is too much to risk a career over.... licence to kill (hmmm, wishful thinking!);-)

Here you go - as if by magic! Callcredit Limited One Park Lane Leeds West Yorkshire LS3 1EP t. 0113 244 1555 f. 0113 234 0050 w. Credit report information for consumers - Callcredit | Callcredit - Credit Reports & Credit Advice Details of number found here: Callcredit - Consumer Credit Referencing - Contact Us Maybe a little late but better late than never lol ;-)

Ahh true good point but surely not to a Gvt Dept such as DVA - cmmon, everyone knows these muppets think CRA's are the law!!! only we know different lol Typical Form E - see below http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/courtfinder/forms/form_e_1205.pdf

Hi A little like my situation, if you see this thread you'll notice I uploaded my credit file - it is all wrong (ID theft using my details) which will show you the pitfalls of sharing with a 'baddie'..... because some accounts have been cleared/settled the cra's now think i'm linked - or indeed the defaulter even though they probably know i'm not! Best get it checked out and put under dispute! Link is here, look for wrod doc that contains credit file for an idea of the trouble these guys can cause - emphasis on the word 'can': http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/credit-reference-agencies/172948-help-credit-ref-agencies.html SilverLining..... There is always light at the end of the tunnel - we just have to beat the CRA's in order to see it...

Hi, Requested CRA from Experian and sent them I.D in November which they confirmed receipt of (Passport and utility bill). They write back stating this: Thank you for your email, which we received on 13 December 2008. I can inform you that it is certainly not our intention to prohibit any individual from obtaining a copy of their report but equally we must safeguard the information we hold from being procured by unauthorised persons. This is why we have stringent security measures in place to validate each report applicant we deal with. If we are unable to identify an applicant at their present address, Section 7(3) of the Data Protection Act 1998 permits us to request further documentation from the applicant to confirm their identity and place of residency. Under this legislation we are permitted to request whatever documentation we feel is necessary to verify these details. The relevant section of the Data Protection Act 1998 is quoted below for your reference: "A data controller is not obliged to comply with a request under this section unless he is supplied with such information as he may reasonably require in order to satisfy himself as to the identity of the person making the request and to locate the information which that person seeks." Together with the provisions of the Data Protection Act we are also following industry standards of the Financial Services Authority "Know Your Customer" policy by asking individuals to send us the specific additional documents. I assure you that the Information Commissioner, who regulates the Data Protection Act 1998, is satisfied that we are acting within our rights to request documentation to supplement a credit report application. Consequently, until such time that you provide us with this documentation, your request does not constitute a completed application so we are therefore not obliged to supply you with the information we hold about you. I understand that you have requested a copy of all the information Experian holds in your name. This is known as a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR). This information must be applied for in writing. When making your application please include the following information with your request; your full name, address details for the last six years and your date of birth. We will also require a fee of £10. A DSAR will provide you with all of the information Experian (as a business) may hold including your credit report. We are given 40 days upon receipt of your application to provide you with the relevant information. Kind regards Miss Rowena S A Togni Consultant Consumer Service Officer CreditExpert Can anyone help - are they correct in what they are saying or do they have to issue a statutory report? I sent a letter from my council with my passport advising I am not on Electoral Register and the reasons why (I think the whole thing is garbage lol) - so they have the I.D requested!!! Please help

hahahahah - well spotted They are juggling with their own careers if you ask me - if A Mills was 'that' good why did he try and worm out of court action (UK26 v Experian)? Hmmm, speaks volumes and to be honest he seems a little undereducated if not underqualified to act in such a post. Freedom of Info suggests Experian had 200 complaints last year, you're telling me that Millsy dealt with each and every one on an individual basis? Not likely - blanket letters anyone......

Finlander - here is a photo of the elusive Andrew Mills...... Here is his BIO: Andrew Mills - LinkedIn Hope this helps

Hiya again I authorised them to conduct one search when I made application - not 3 (any reason they'd perform 3 searches?) They say they've closed correspondence but as my first letter states, i'll be the judge of that - not them! I don't care what Mrs Equifax says, i'm quoting law (if there is something to be challenged they cannot cease communication).... Cheers

Spark Excellent info - thanks so much.... I'll send the letter and the link 'Libel' and see what they come up with next! It does appear that Equifax are somewhat different to Experian in that they were the second CRA to be formed and therefore probably do not follow the same rules...... I dunno but the response I got stated things like 'i've closed this file now because i'm satisfied you are the same person' and 'speak to ICO - not us' to name a couple! Absolutely disgraceful..... do you happen to have a link to the other sparky cos i'm new and can't search yet (unsure how to).... sorry, not being lazy but trying my best Thanks again - i'll update post when/if anything changes but in meantime appreciate your help. What do you suggest with regards to 3 searches being done on same day/date/time by O2, is it up to me to get them to remove two of them or can they have 3 searches and can Equifax deal for me? Cheers