Problem getting Equifax credit report

TheJC

Not sure if this is the right board, couldn't find one that's relevant to the topic.

I just received a letter from Equifax stating the following.

Unfortunately, we are unable to process your request, as the statutory fee of £2.00 was not included.

Odd (and frustrating) that they received the application but not the postal order. What is the process of getting a stolen/lost crossed postal order replaced? Would I need to pay the postal order fee again?

Equifax put a high premium on security of information and we take our obligations to protect your data very seriously. To help us ensure that we do not send your credit report to anyone but you, please include copies of the following documents:

• A recent utility bill (no more than 2 months old), addressed to you at your current address.
• 1 Government issued document, for example: Driving License, Passport or Birth Certificate.

Birth Certificate I have. But are they telling me that because I don't pay any utility bills that their security procedures prevent me from obtaining a copy of my credit report? I thought I had a right to it.

I'm rather annoyed because I can't afford to keep buying second class stamps.

To contact them online or post about my credit report, I need a "valid, in-date credit reference number"... how on Earth does someone get one of those without a credit report?

I'm also annoyed that the letter includes FOUR paragraphs promoting their online service which I don't want to be forced to use. Did they not find my postal order in the envelope and require ID because they are trying to make people use their online service? That's what it feels like to me.


John.