CCML-United Utilities 3 Table one searches can i complain?

[clio2010]

United Utilities have searched my credit file 3 times in the table 1 column

firstly i am paying them via first credit now but now account still isnt arrears its the current balance

 

secindly the dates for the searches are 17/08/2010 24/08/2010 23/09/2010

 

Reason for search:Debt Collection (there is no debt its the current balance im paying off)

[clio2010]

any help is greatly appreciated as i believe they have unlawfully recorded on my credit file as im not in arrears with the account i missed 2 payments by a few days and so then they said we referred you to a dca paying the current balance off via first credit

[harrassed senior]

Send a complaint to the CRAs and they will investigate. Don't hold your breathe though. Who is searching UU or First Credit

[clio2010]

Send a complaint to the CRAs and they will investigate. Don't hold your breathe though. Who is searching UU or First Credit

 

I think it was united untilities inhouse DCA CCML

[clio2010]

Ive made an agreement with them and currently paying the balance off but i dont understand why they have searched 3 times in nearly a month

[247orbital]

Even so three searches in such a short time is unwarranted, complain to the CRA's and the ICO if they do nothing. These searches stay on your file for 2 years therefore 1 search every 2 years is more than adequate.

[clio2010]

complaint already made to ICO but how do oyu complain to equifax?

[clio2010]

ive sent them a in disput email stating i want them removed hope they listen.

[clio2010]

can i get any sort of compensation for this?

[harrassed senior]

Not is they remove it, you would need to prove that you suffered a 'loss' because of the information, so, unless you have been refused credit because this is the only thing on your file the answer would again be , no.

[clio2010]

Not is they remove it, you would need to prove that you suffered a 'loss' because of the information, so, unless you have been refused credit because this is the only thing on your file the answer would again be , no.

 

I applied for a barclaycard initial at around that time and it was refused

[clio2010]

any ideas of next steps.

Ive emailed united utilities but no response,no response from ICO,no response from EQUIFAX,

when should i send them further correspondence?

[clio2010]

Ive found an email for equifax and sent them another email,is there actually an email or postal address for CCML/United Utilities?

[clio2010]

i recieved this todaay:

 

Dear Mr X

Thank you for your email etc etc

i am sorry that you are happy with numerous credit searches made with equifax in respect of your property,i would have like to have discussed this matter by phone but unable to got through etc etc,

 

I have chosen to reply to your email by letter this is because i need to confirm details of your account and this is a more secure method of communication.

 

Please allow me to explain.on the back of each customer bill is the following statement.

 

if you owe us money,we may need to search the files of credit reference agencies,who will record the search.if you move out of your property without giving us your forwarding address and still owe us moneyor you are still living there and fall into debt,we may share your information with other credit providers,credit reference agencies,tracing and or debt agencies and where appropriate public authorities and teh DWP.

 

when we have a valid reasob to send and account (i.e.the customer in debt with us) to equifax via complete credit management limited (or CCML) we perform a "debtor" Search rather than a "credit" Search which does not directly affect a customers credit score,however we do leave a "debtor" footprint identifying we have made such a search.

 

if you owed us money at the the time the "debtor" search was carried out on the credit file,then we will not remove the debtor search record from your file .this is also the case if since the search was carried out you have made payment in full to us or have set up a payment plan.

 

if numerous companies perform "debtor" searches on the same customer around teh same time then potentially this maybe interpreted as numerous bodies beginning to question the credit worthiness of the customer and this may have an adverse effect.debtor searches are recorded on credit file for up to two years.

 

because your account is in arrears (is it?),i consider any searches made have been done correctly (3 searches in a month is correct?)

 

However,to enable me to look into the matter of multiple searches,please advise me of the equifax credit report reference numbers.

 

I confirm the balance outstanding is £xxx (not arrears) your account is being managed by first credit (I know i set a plan the day you told me to to pay teh current balance off)

 

 

I have replied to stage 1 of your complaints procedure etc if you would like any more info etc cte

[clio2010]

so can i file a court claim against them?

 

3 searches within 1 month?

refusing to remove any of them?

no offer of compensation?

[clio2010]

why did they search me in the first place? they already know where i live i contacted them last year when it was getting difficult with payments and discussed it and explaied everything i am paying off the current balance not arrears i just dont get it.

[clio2010]

Ive sent them another letter stating that i want to be compensated as i was refused credit wonder what they will say?

[clio2010]

im £80.00 in arrears apparently and they wont remove the 3 credit searches so what can i do?

[clio2010]

well the case owner of the complaint wont remove the searches, and they say they have been done correctly and not unwarranted?

i just dont want to take them to court if i can help it so what do i do next?

[clio2010]

can i anyone advise me of my next steps as im not sure what to do?

[clio2010]

ive just realised 1st credot said to me a few months ago when i set up the plan it will go into arrears in april the 400 and something i owe is for april 2011-2012

i have downloaded ico complaint form any ideas of what i can do next?

[clio2010]

can someone please help me with this as a matter of urgency they wont remove the searches.

[clio2010]

the united utilities manager will not remove them and say there are a debtor footprint.

[clio2010]

well i have made a complaint to the consumer council for water not holding my breath though.

[clio2010]

well the cc for water have sided with uu so theres not much i can do really is there?