My credit rating affected by my father?

JamesLB

I'm a 21 year old student in my second year and attempted to open a student bank account with Halifax but was refused due to having a poor credit rating.

In the past I had similarly been refused a mobile phone contract, so I stumped up the £13 to check my rating using Equifax.co.uk as I couldnt understand why this would be.

I have only ever had 1 current account and 1 credit card (and still have them) and have never had any problems - i.e. with my credit card, i've NEVER missed a payment (not surprising as I've only used it a few times and have paid it off within days of using it).

On both these cards, I was classed as "satisfactory" or "excellent" on the report.

However, further down the page was listed all my father's accounts. On the whole, these were pretty good but during the time my mother and father got divorced, he missed a few payments and although he is debt-free now, on some accounts he is listed as "very poor".

These accounts however are either linked to my parent's old shared house or my father's new house. I am now living with my mother in her new house, and rarely see my father.

Is it right that I have a "very poor" rating because of my father's previous mistakes?

Sorry for the long post, but it seems I'm in a real hole here, without personally being to blame.

Thanks for any advice.

System

JamesLB wrote:

However, further down the page was listed all my father's accounts. On the whole, these were pretty good but during the time my mother and father got divorced, he missed a few payments and although he is debt-free now, on some accounts he is listed as "very poor".

That should be relatively easy to sort out. I did this years ago due to a similar problem with my mom's credit history showing on my file.

You need to contact each of the 3 main Credit Reference Agencies and ask for a "Notice of disassociation" form to be sent to you. This states that you have no financial connection to your father. The fact that you no longer live with him should make this easier, I'd imagine. In fact, complete a form for your mother too if she's also showing on your credit file.

After you send the forms back to the agencies, I can't remember exactly how long it takes, but eventually your father's credit information will be removed from your file - and yours will be removed from his.

newmoneysaver_2

Do you have the same name as your father?

This happened to my b/friend - it was easy to sort out as we just asked experian/equifax to check DOB and everything was removed.

thesealeyboy

newmoneysaver wrote:

Do you have the same name as your father?

This happened to my b/friend - it was easy to sort out as we just asked experian/equifax to check DOB and everything was removed.

]

I noticed on a recent credit report from Equifax that my dads mobile phone agreement and previous car agreement both showed up under my name (we are both called James). Looking closer it appears that this happens because the two agreements don't have a date of birth conencted with them. Would a notice of disassociation fix this also or is there another route I should take?

J

southernscouser

bham-dave wrote:

That should be relatively easy to sort out. I did this years ago due to a similar problem with my mom's credit history showing on my file.

You need to contact each of the 3 main Credit Reference Agencies and ask for a "Notice of disassociation" form to be sent to you. This states that you have no financial connection to your father. The fact that you no longer live with him should make this easier, I'd imagine. In fact, complete a form for your mother too if she's also showing on your credit file.

After you send the forms back to the agencies, I can't remember exactly how long it takes, but eventually your father's credit information will be removed from your file - and yours will be removed from his.

I thought this was new policy now. I remember maybe 2 years ago my brothers stuff was on my file but now other people in your household does not affect you!

newmoneysaver_2

thesealeyboy wrote:

]

I noticed on a recent credit report from Equifax that my dads mobile phone agreement and previous car agreement both showed up under my name (we are both called James). Looking closer it appears that this happens because the two agreements don't have a date of birth conencted with them. Would a notice of disassociation fix this also or is there another route I should take?

J

Not sure about a notice of disassociation but b/f had equifax online and just entered a query with equifax , along the lines of: Please check details. This relates to MR ............., DOB ............ Luckily some of these were a few years old and dated before b/f was old enough to get credit.

JamesLB

My dad has the same first name initial - "J" plus he has the same birthday as I do, or rather I have the same as him. "Notice of Disassociation" seems to be the way forward though - looked into it on the Equifax website and they have an online form you can fill in to get it done within 28days. Unless you have a shared mortgage/loan with a person or they are entirely financially responsible for you, it seems they shouldnt effect your credit rating.

Thanks for your advice - hopefully I can get a new slate now.

Cheers.

jonesMUFCforever

One small point why pay £13 for your report when you can have it for £2?

JamesLB

Why pay £13? Because I wanted my report there and then - I wasnt happy that Halifax had declined my account (2days after sending me my 'new' internet banking details) and wanted to know why. Also, if you've registered on the site, it's a lot easier to change your details - e.g. i can send my Notice of Disassociation in online using an easy form.

System

southernscouser wrote:

I thought this was new policy now. I remember maybe 2 years ago my brothers stuff was on my file but now other people in your household does not affect you!

That's a new one on me - Erm, pass!

Did your brother maybe get your name "disassociated" from his file? Cos that would've automatically removed him from your file too.

Just guessing - Dunno!

zincoxide

My Dad had problems after I got into problems when I was younger so it appeared he had £24k unpaid debt!!

We have the same name but again, by writing to Equifax & Experian he was able to easily solve this by going on the date of birth.