Equifax False Advertising Campaign more ammo against CRA!!!!

[Toulose LeDebt]

Part of my strategy when approaching my battle with the CRA's is to look at what they offer prospective clients and work backwards. I came across the "Risk Explorer" package recently and I really took exception to the way Equifax advertises this bundle. So much so that I thought I would set the Advertising Standards Authority on to the case. Just can't see what harm is involved getting a regulatory body investigating what goes on in in the seedy relationship between a CRA and a DCA.

Have a look on the Equifax website and see what you think about the "Insight Delinquent" "Insight default" and the "Insight Positive" databases of "Consumer Credit Agreements.

Implies to me that these are accurate and authorative databases of cca's suitable for the purpose intended.

 

Of course if like myself you have information stored in the Insight databases which you know to be untrue then you have valid grounds for complaint to the ASA in the matter.

 

I have and just in case any of you out there feel the same way you'll find a really good form here.

 

 

And just to make it even easier I'll give you some guidance below.

 

Go here.

Complaints Step 1

 

First bits are self explanatory

 

In step 3 enter

Equifax website whilst researching my unmerited problems with them.

 

Todays date. Derrrrr

 

Step 4

Advertisers – Equifax

Product- Risk Navigator

 

Step 5

My complaint centres around these three sub products of the Risk Navigator bundle.

 

Positive Insight* Data

Delinquent Insight* Data

Default Insight* Data

 

I take exception to the following advertising slogan.

*Insight is Equifax’s database of Consumer Credit Agreements.

 

This implies that the “Insight Database” is an accurate and authorative representation of Consumer Credit Agreements and it is clear to me that this product is being sold and advertised on these grounds.

 

This simply is not true.

The Insight database advertised by Equifax is a database to which any customer of Equifax may add information for a fee. There is a vested interest by virtue of the fee for Equifax not to refuse data submissions. Those submitting this information to the Insight database also may at times have a vested interest in so far as this database is used to apply pressure and coerce people into paying sums of money they might not otherwise contrary to the requirements of Section 40(1) of the Administration of Justice Act 1970, contrary to the Office of Fair Trading directive on unfair practice and contrary to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 as defined under Paragraphs 39, 41,42,43 and 44 of the Information Commisioners Office own guidance in the matter.

It is common for incorrect data to be lodged in this database yet since the database controller and the data submitters share a common financial interest it is extremely difficult in practice for those about whom incorrect and damaging information is lodged to have it amended or removed.

This inaccurate information is then published as truth on a monthly basis and made available to any subscriber.

Important decisions affecting the livelihood of the data subject are made on the strength of the data held within the database and much damage can be done unlawfully and very often without either the knowledge or consent of the data subject.

 

I therefore request you investigate my claims and if finding them proven true enforce the company known as Equifax to print the following disclaimer each time they reference the Insight database and to make all their existing customers of this product aware of the inherent inaccuracies within the product.

.

“Warning this database of Consumer Credit Agreements is subject to inaccuracy caused by the failure of the database holder to ensure records within it are legally meritorious or accurate, at any particular time an unknown percentage of records contained within this database are subject to formal legal complaint by the data subject”.

 

 

Step 6 select “yes”

 

Heres the link

Credit Risk Evaluation

Explain to click the “Risk Navigator” button

Edited August 2, 2008 by Toulose LeDebt

[Toulose LeDebt]

Sounds like you had a valid cause for complaint to me hme4X4.

ASA unlike the OFT etc do not need hundreds or thousands of complaints before they take action, they are a much more proactive regulatory body. Fingers crossed enough people also have a similarly valid complaint about Equifax's advertising to force the ASA to take action to stop Efx. making money from selling incorrect information on the false basis it's accurate.