Experian

stephane_2

I have noticed that on my experian report I have 141 linked address compare to almost "nil" with equifax. What is bizarre is that I recently applied for a Tesco credit card but was declined, the search did not appear on my file but I have just notice that Tesco appear in my linked address. Am not sure I understand.
One thing for sure is that every single time I have applied for either CC/store and that the search was made on experian, I have always been declined and with equifax never had any major issues. I just don't see what could be wrong?
No default, no late payments, no missed payments...

byebyedebt

The address info is provided by the banks etc when you update your address. It may be that only one or two of the companies have updated your address and they may not be with the other credit agency.

Are all the addresses genuine addresses that you have lived at. If not ask for them to be removed. Also check for duplicates. One of my banks linked the same addresss 12 times for no benefit at all.

never-in-doubt

Just write to Experian explaining you know nothing of these addresses and they will remove them at source. Being it is obviously not you, Experian as the data processer have a duty to rectify any 'obvious' mistakes and this is surely 'obvious', in as much as obvious can be!

Its easy to do if they believe you, something they did with me whereas Equifax don't!

Just send in an email suggesting immediate removal of libellous data!

stephane_2

Well, the linked addresses used to be where I lived for the last few years and some are linked for credit applications made 8 years ago...is that normal? a few months a go I used to have about 9 accounts (bank, CC, store etc...) appearing on experian but few months ago, most of them just went and now have only 6 and that is including 3 settled accounts.

never-in-doubt

stephane wrote: »

Well, the linked addresses used to be where I lived for the last few years and some are linked for credit applications made 8 years ago...is that normal? a few months a go I used to have about 9 accounts (bank, CC, store etc...) appearing on experian but few months ago, most of them just went and now have only 6 and that is including 3 settled accounts.

Ahhh, so are the links correct then?

Let me explain linked addresses for you; they will stay on your credit file for as long as there is a necessity to provide the link and/or its associated credit related products.

So lets say you have a linked address and had an account there which you took with you to a new address then the link would remain. I mean, if you had a HSBC account at 1 The High Street and moved to 25 Lincoln Street but closed the HSBC account then there would be no linked address. If howwever you never closed the HSBC account or say you done a runner and just moved thinking it'd go away, then got caught, this would create a link. (because you have carried a live account from one address to another) similarly, if you then move to another address you'll bring 2 links with you.... and so on.

Following me yet.....? Basically if the data is relevant they will link to it. Best way to describe it is after 9 years all linked addresses should vanish because assume you moved in 2000 and kept your bank account, it would move to the new address with you but the link would remain for 6yrs plus the 3yrs of history that would stagger through meaning a maximum of 9yrs per linked address - assuming all credit related agreements will have been closed, from the old linked address, of course. There cannot be recent data on the linked address cos you won't have been there - see what I mean?

Phew - hope that makes sense...... :beer:

stephane_2

Yeah, I sort of understand, so why is experian the only one doing it as I have nothing on my equifax regarding linked addresses. Also, apply recently to tesco credit card, was declined, no search on file but tesco appear at linked address.

ILW

141 linked addreses sounds a little extreme.

never-in-doubt

stephane wrote: »

Yeah, I sort of understand, so why is experian the only one doing it as I have nothing on my equifax regarding linked addresses. Also, apply recently to tesco credit card, was declined, no search on file but tesco appear at linked address.

thats your answer, tesco have searched you and then went down the linked address. There must be something that doesn't stack up and as previous poster says, 141 links is wrong - that jusy cannot be right.

Are you sure you lived at 141 addresses?

stephane_2

No, I have not lived to so many addresses, far from that but I suppose its all related to credit application I have made in the past and for some of them I still have some accounts with them. The oldest link goes back to 2001 from capital one account I used to have. Some link appears several times from same provider within few months gap. But relating to tesco application, my file does not show the search from tesco, but it is in the linked addresses.
I hope I am making myself clear and not too confusing

never-in-doubt

So are you saying that Tesco only searched one of the linked addresses and not the main address? Can I ask, have you checked Equifax? Did you list that address as one of your previous addresses?

Can you confrim, do the links only show on Experian or both credit files? forget CallCrappy as they are irrelevant.

savagej

I have heard of this happening, no credit search with Experian just a linked address created on the date the credit search took place on. In this case it has always been the case the credit search was showing on Equifax, apparently there is more to Experian than meets the eye.