Experian

Abbeygail

Who or what is Experian. Is it a Government Body? If not then, how have they been able to garner people's information without our prior knowledge? Not very happy about this.

stephane_2

Experian is not a government body....every time you apply for credit or open a bank account you agree for the lender to share your data or search your file with a CRA. You just need to read the small print, nothing you can do

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

Abbeygail wrote: »

Who or what is Experian.

Here's what they say about themselves...
http://www.experian.co.uk/about-us/index.html

ice_tee

Experian is a credit reference agency, like Equifax or Call Credit, and are not government bodies. When you apply for financial products that are based on credit, the terms and conditions of that product clearly stipulates that your information will be shared with credit reference agencies in order to assess risk. They are useful to the individual in assessing your credit profile, whilst also helping reduce the risk of identity fraud if you check your file every so often and check for discrepancies.

Abbeygail

Is there no way I can stop the faceless machine from doing this, and also if I wanted to get my own personal information why do I have to pay. What happened to the freedom of information act?

Tixy

If you pay off all your debts and take out no further debts/credit accounts then in 6years time they would stop processing any information about you. Other than that you are stuck with the system as it is.

Why do you have to pay to see the information -well its a very small admin charge at £2 each, with most places you can be charged up to £10 to see the information they hold on you.

CannyJock

Abbeygail wrote: »

Is there no way I can stop the faceless machine from doing this, and also if I wanted to get my own personal information why do I have to pay. What happened to the freedom of information act?

You'll see there's a free 30 day trial option.

As to why you need to pay, it's just how it works. There's a bit of admin to pay for - easily worth £2 IMO.

The freedom of information act is still in place. It doesn't apply to Experian. Infact, they even answer your specific question on their website http://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/faq/R1.html#q1018

Does the Freedom of Information Act 2000 affect Experian?

No, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives you the right to ask for information from public bodies (such as your local council or a government agency). As we are a private company, and not a public body, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 does not directly affect us. The Data Protection Act 1998 regulates private companies.

immoral_angeluk

You sound like you've only just found this out. Have you never applied for a credit account before and been told it's subject to passing a credit check etc?

laney85

Also its not only experian, equifax and call credit also hold simialr if not the same info on you.

Abbeygail

Yes I have applied for credit but it is at least 4yrs ago. I have never been told I needed to be credit checked. It is another bit of Big Brother I suppose I will have to live with:(. Thank you all for your replies. x

Tixy

Abbeygail wrote: »

Yes I have applied for credit but it is at least 4yrs ago. I have never been told I needed to be credit checked. It is another bit of Big Brother I suppose I will have to live with:(. Thank you all for your replies. x

What sort of credit have you had in the past? its certain that you were either told verbally (if applying by phone) or ticked to agree to the T&C (if by internet) or signed a form or were told verbally (if you applied in branch).

It is a standard part of the spiel that they give out when you apply for credit, has been for year, maybe some people switch off when they hear it but they do ensure that you confirm you are happy for them to share information with the credit reference agencies and you do have to respond affirmatively to that question for your application to go ahead.