Credit file - trashed due to wrong person on my file

[benn25]

Hi folks, new to the forum and need some advice please.

 

History: I went into my bank to get an overdraft last year and was rejected as my account wasnt old enough and they suggested to wait a year and also open up a savings account to improve my chances. Which I did. So I went in a couple of weeks ago thinking id done everything to get an overdraft only to be told that they STILL couldnt offer me an overdraft. So I was advised to check my credit file to see why I wasnt being accepted seeing that my history with the bank is excellent and Ive made no searches and done nothing to warrant rejection from my own bank.

 

 

I proceeded to check Experian and there was nothing there to show anything was wrong except that I had no credit agreements and my bank account was only a year old.

So I then decided to check out Equifax and boom!

 

 

On my previous address search theres a number of defaults for someone who has the same 1st name, different surname and same DOB. I literally couldnt believe my eyes!

 

 

Theres nothing in the financial links, CIFA or anything else. Just in the credit agreement section under previous addresses.

 

 

Obviously the score with Equifax was shocking. I also noticed a 'trace enquiry' for this guy for the same address.

 

 

So i contacted Equifax and they advised me to submit a query, which I did and Im currently awaiting a response.

 

 

Im convinced its the same with CallCredit as I failed the security questions, so awaiting the code they send you so I can find out.

 

 

My credit is ruined and I just dont understand how this has happened. Im not even sure if its fraudulant activity as the surnames are different. Im totally confused and angry as Im wanting to purchase in the next year and a half and this has set me right back.

 

So my questions are as follows:

 

1) How the hell did someone else get on my credit file?

2) Why would a debt collector give someone elses details to the credit agency and the agency accepting it?

3) What are the chances of these defaults being taken off?

4) If they do get wiped what are the chances of them coming back?

5) In the event these do not get taken off what is my next move?

6) If the info gets wiped how long do I have to wait before the score goes up to a reasonable level where I will have no issues in getting credit?

 

Im sure Ill have more queries in the future but any answers, advice would be greatly appreciated. Im hoping these debt collectors see sense and realise theyve made a huge mistake.

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited May 7, 2014 by citizenB

[citizenB]

Did you happen to see who is doing the searches and recording defaults ?

 

If you can establish who is doing this, then you might be able to obtain some compensation.. but see what the agencies come back with.

[citizenB]

I have amended your thread title to reflect the true situation.

[benn25]

Thanks citizenB. Yea I can see who all the debt collectors are and defaults are with. I wanted to call them and go on a verbal rampage but thought better of it, so just awaiting what Equifax come back with. Im also concerned because Experian have nothing of these debts and Im worried that if I can get them off Equifax and potentially CallCredit, itll go onto the Experian one. Im being fleeced by the agencies as I have to pay their monthly subscription till the information is removed.

 

This is just an absolutely nightmare to be frank.

[citizenB]

If this were me, once I had the information from the agencies, I would be writing to all of the companies who have searched your file or registered data and putting them on notice, that they either remove any adverse data or you will be taking matters further.

 

Meanwhile, you might want to have a read of the following thread

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?420961-Richard-Durkin-wins-Supreme-Court-appeal-–-beware-lenders!&highlight=Durkin

[benn25]

Update

 

So Equifax have removed this person off my file thank god. So next question is

 

1) How long will it now take for my 'true' credit file to reflect my 'true' history?

2) Whats the likelihood of it returning?

[ericsbrother]

1) Hopefully a month.

It should do but diont forget, there are companies that now have the wrong info so they may well be lazy and just keep reporting on your file. You will need to write to them and warn them that if they do continue you will be after them for the loss of opportunity vis a vis the loan facility etc.