Equifax!

BringtheStoneshome

I have already posted about this but am compelled to do so again.

They have recorded me as not being registered at my address. This was a council error, which I got corrected 3 weeks ago. I phoned them up yesterday and, guess what, they still have not done anything about it. What is worse they want me trotting about sending them thisd, that and the other and somehow assert that they haven't put any false information out about me (I have put them right by using logic and they cannot argue with it).

Anyway, the long and short of it is that I have now filed a complaint with the Information Commissioner's office (it has a complaint form on the website. Anyone else having similar problems should also do this. The more complaints filed will compel the Government to do something about this useless pile of dogs poo company that is costing us all money with their false information and subsequent refusal to correct it. You should also contact them (number on website) on a regular basis to have a pop. They might just start getting the message. Oh and if they claim it is everyone elses fault then ask them who supplied information to the credit card company that refused you. When they say, 'we did' then point out that it is they who have put false information out about you and they now have to correct it under the Data Protection Act.

Regards

BTSH

DarkConvict

CRA's don't collect the data themselves, it is reported to them. They may well look at public government records such as the voters poll, but the information they publish is what is supplied to them. This can however be inaccurate but not something they can verify until someone points it out to them. Incorrectly applied defaults is a common issue.

BringtheStoneshome

I agree with you here, DC. I was advised by the Info Commissioner's office that they should put this right in a timely manner. They have failed to do so within three weeks so I have started a complaint (as advised by the Information Commissioner's office). If more people that have problems with these people do this then something might get done about this.

I, personally, am quite good with allowing mistakes to be corrected. I am not going to accept people refusing to correct their mistakes which have an effect on my life. To my mind they should do something about getting the searches done on incorrect information removed because it is unfair on me and directly affects my ability to deal with my debt. I understand that they are given information but at the end of the day they still put it out there and it was wrong. WOuld their chief executive like it if I put it out that he had spent time in jail because someone down the road told me and then I subsequently refused to say different because the information I gave out was 'good at the time'?

DarkConvict

Credit reports are usually updated monthly (28 days), you should give them at least 5 weeks to be sure, before submitting a complaint.

Where a company has recorded inaccurate data, they should be given 28 days to report it, then you have to wait upto 28 days for the report to be updated, so a total of 2 months.

I understand incorrect information can be annoying and distressing, this is why the Data Protection Act 1998 was created. Sadly the ICO isn't great an enforcing it but atleast there is someone to turn to. A credit report is just about your ability to manage credit, it is used as a guideline for creditors, so not as serious as mistakes landing you in jail.

BringtheStoneshome

You are very sensible and accurate, DC. I am a bit hot-headed when it comes to authority though and will report them at the earliest opportunity. I was advised to report them because they had done nothing in three weeks and were asking me to get the council to contact them etc etc. The ICO said that if I file the report then by the time the ball gets rolling the four weeks they have to update their records will have passed.

The last bit was an analogy to demonstrate how their thinking is warped. I don't really intend to spread rumours that could lend me in hot water. It would be funny though.

DarkConvict

I am not in your situation, so of course i am be calm about it I have an issue with tax I got in a tiff about, i wrote and angry letter but decided to read before sending, that was 3 months ago i just haven't had the time due to university to write a new one. I understood the analogy fine, sadly the analogy of water and electricity current i just always seem to forget, damn me being ill for 2 weeks at high school and missing physics.