Experian - Linked Addresses

smithysaver

greenmantle wrote: »

Even when they're companies with whom we no longer have an account and last reported the link in 2001-2003? Yikes. I don't even have an account number for my old Halifax card...

Some of the companies on mine have closed or been bought out.

peachyprice

You think you've got problems?
Halifax have a linked address for me that I have never lived at with a name that isn't mine!

I've never applied for an account with Halifax, and have every reason to believe the address they've linked me to was a person trying to obtain fraudulent loans/cc's in my name, nice eh!

I'm waiting for Experian to report back to be, they've put a notice of correction on my file, and have asked Halifax to remove the info, but no joy yet. :rolleyes:

greenmantle

Does anyone know of any form/model letters available to send direct to lenders which ask, legalistically, for:

a) removal of incorrect linked address
and/or
b) removal of linked addresses (correct) older than six years

? (just asking, optimistically)

smithysaver

greenmantle wrote: »

Does anyone know of any form/model letters available to send direct to lenders which ask, legalistically, for:

a) removal of incorrect linked address
and/or
b) removal of linked addresses (correct) older than six years

? (just asking, optimistically)

Ohhh this would be super handy.

never-in-doubt

greenmantle wrote: »

Does anyone know of any form/model letters available to send direct to lenders which ask, legalistically, for:

a) removal of incorrect linked address
and/or
b) removal of linked addresses (correct) older than six years

? (just asking, optimistically)

I explained this in detail on another post - basically data after 3yrs is largely ignored by lenders, this is proven in your case by you getting a 1st direct account. Trust me, anything untoward appeared on your file and they'd have said no. That should in theory prove to you that they ignore old data, for instance a lot can happen in 3yrs not to mention change of jobs/circs/lottery win etc etc.....

Most lenders look at the last 12mth payment history, if there are any late payments they scan back 3yrs and more than 3 over 3yrs will not be good news for you. Under this and you may get approved. Not many lenders have the capabilities to check back 6yrs and unless it is adverse data, i.e. a default then a lender will not use it toward any assessment as it would be way too risky.

They get a better picture of you using 12mth recent data than 6yrs old data if that makes sense.

Linked addresses are never bothered with unless within last 3yrs as most lenders only ask for last 3yr address data and if there is nothing derogatory then the linked element is ignored, again because the accounts are now registered at your current address so the link means little - in fact it means nothing and really should be ignored by you, as it is by most lenders.

Hope that helps......

never-in-doubt

Sorry forgot to mention, to get the data removed would be a gesture of goodwill from the CRA and a polite email to ask would suffice. They are allowed to refuse and most will, so to be honest i'd just ignore it until all the payment history falls off (i.e. 8yrs at the very latest) and after this time has elapsed, you can enforce removal as the processing has become unfair.

On that note, you could try mentioning that the first principle states you should process my data fairly and accurately; and question whether listing a linked address from over 6yrs ago is fair? that's all I can suggest on this one.....

greenmantle

Most lenders look at the last 12mth payment history, if there are any late payments they scan back 3yrs

This is good news...

this is proven in your case by you getting a 1st direct account

Yes, although they had weighty internal data possibly outweighing other stuff.

To be honest, I'd still be interested to know how people tackle this, if they do. More for others' sakes, though, as I acknowledge that I'm probably just getting a little anal about having a 'neat' credit report...

you could try mentioning that the first principle states you should process my data fairly and accurately; and question whether listing a linked address from over 6yrs ago is fair

This is an interesting idea, thanks for that.

PaulW922

I have had this dispute with Experian too. Originally they said this data was retained indefinately but after I sent them a copy of the ICO guidance which clearly says 'six years' they removed the links. However if the old address still has 'live' data there it will remain linked as the info is still 'current'

never-in-doubt

PaulW922 wrote: »

I have had this dispute with Experian too. Originally they said this data was retained indefinately but after I sent them a copy of the ICO guidance which clearly says 'six years' they removed the links. However if the old address still has 'live' data there it will remain linked as the info is still 'current'

yes, so worse case scenario is 8yrs then as they retain 24mth of payment history and add this to the 6yrs.

So if it was adverse data, 6yrs would be removal date as 6yr time limit or Statute barred would happen, whichever occured first.

The only real way to have live data at a linked address after 6yrs would be in a case where you done a runner from the debt. But then this would go after 6yrs, regardless of the status - because of statute barred.

naijapower

PaulW922 wrote: »

I have had this dispute with Experian too. Originally they said this data was retained indefinately but after I sent them a copy of the ICO guidance which clearly says 'six years' they removed the links. However if the old address still has 'live' data there it will remain linked as the info is still 'current'

Very useful info. BUt what is classed as 'live data'.
Does this refer to an active account.
What if the linked address has an inactive defaulted account?