tax credits password set up using experian??

feecool

Can someone help me here? I cancelled my current tax credits in oct due to my partner moving in with me. I completed a new form and sent this to HMRC. I couldn't remember how long ago I posted it so called to check if they had received it today. Before they gave me any information they asked me to answer information on my experian credit file in order to set up a password??!! I've never had to do this before and wondered if it was something new as its a new claim or what the reasoning behind this was. I get concerned with who can access your credit files and what information they have access to without your permission?

[Deleted User]

You will have been asked for permission for them to access your Experian record. You may not have really listened to what was being said - common mistake as people just agree to anything to get on with the call.

The advisor cannot directly access your credit records anyway. The Experian system choses questions that are to be answered by the customer.

The new process is in order to securely confirm you are the genuine person. Once you are authenticated you will have at least 2 questions and answers saved. They are called "shared secrets" as you and TCO will know they answers.

Not every contact centre is using the new process as yet, it is being rolled out one at a time so you may not be asked for the passwords on every call you make until all centres are using it.

feecool

Your are right they did ask if I minded answering the questions which they would take from my experian report in order to set up my password. I understand why they are doing it now. Thank you for your help!!

Mr_Linnet

I telephoned Tax Credits people today. I was unaware of the new system as I had received nothing in writing from them. However I became uncomfortable when the adviser asked me if I had a loan and if I did which company was it with.

If the advisor cannot directly access your credit records, why ask the question?

I decided to hang up and will be writing to then instead.

[Deleted User]

The question is generated by Experian.

The adviser choses the complany from a drop down menu or enters an answer.
This is then submitted to Experian who reply with PASS, FAIL or asks another question.

You can refuse them access to Experian prior to the questions being asked. To be asked about which loan complany you used, you must have agreed.

If you refuse they will try to use just HMRC info.

If you cannot be verified using the information you will be referred to an enquiry centre to verify your ID in person and to set up passwords.

Mr_Linnet

subsoniccoyote wrote: »

The question is generated by Experian.

The adviser choses the complany from a drop down menu or enters an answer.
This is then submitted to Experian who reply with PASS, FAIL or asks another question.

You can refuse them access to Experian prior to the questions being asked. To be asked about which loan complany you used, you must have agreed.

If you refuse they will try to use just HMRC info.

If you cannot be verified using the information you will be referred to an enquiry centre to verify your ID in person and to set up passwords.

Thanks very much for your reply subsoniccoyote,


I did agree in principle to them asking me questions for security purposes. What did concern me was the fact that they wanted to know whether or not I had a loan, if I did, what company it was with. It was at this point I informed the Tax Credit operator that I would be ending the conversation.


I had already given my full name and address together with date of birth and national insurance number.


Thank you for your interest in my post and for putting my mind at rest that at least I hadn`t just fallen for a scam.

jax66

I had a similar experience with them and what ticked me off was the length of time just to verify who you are. My calls are with sky and they are quite expensive for 08 numbers.

[Deleted User]

Would you prefer they didnt improve the ID authentication of the customer? It takes a few minutes to set up and in future you will only be asked 3 or 4 questions which will be a lot quicker than it is now.
Calls to 0845 from Sky Talk are only about 6p per minute so even with 5 minutes extra on this one off call it is just 30p to ensure your details are being kept as secure as they can be.

skylight

Sounds like a much better system! I have had two fraudulent claims on my TC this year alone; it caused a bit of a nightmare for me! The second time round my new password had been removed from my account (despite it being something I made up and no-one knew it or would have guessed it) and my first password was difficult too. I am on my third password this year.

All for improvements to the security system.

jax66

I'm just never comfortable giving more info than is needed. There has been cases of personal details left in taxis, on trains and in skips. I,m all for security but at what cost.

WORRIED_BRUMMIE

i agree with your comments,but what i would relly like to know is can experian actually update there records,and who can actually gain access to these records.

agree we need to stamp out id fraud but goverment depts using credit agencies. any one that has some sort of problems must be petrified that these people have updated records,and can but pressure on you while you in the process of sorting your mistakes and problems.

very wrong in my opionion