Credit Reference Agencies

Needtoknow_3

Hi All

I wonder if you can help - I'm sure I've read somewhere that you can write to the credit reference agencies asking for them to treat each individual living at the same address separately? I'm not sure - could be wishful thinking...? I'm about to tackle my debts (feel sick..) but I am going to. I'm back at my parents house and I don't want them to know about my debt and if they get a copy of their credit file, my details and debts will be on there and I do NOT want them to know.

Can anybody help me - have I read such a thing and is it possible to write to them as say can you keep my details confidential?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, first thing I've ever posted.

NTK

downnotout

As far as my understanding of things are your credit file will have nothing to do with anyone else at the same adress. I ha to move back to my parents house and the only reason my parents know about my financial picture is because I told them.

DVardysShadow

What downnotout says. Your records are only linked with anyone else's if you have shared financial products with them.

Needtoknow_3

Thank you so much - I feel worse about my parents knowing than I do about my debt. Not saying I won't tell them in the future but I really need to at least try and sort things out myself. I've not had anything shared with them so I feel a bit better knowing that if they do get a copy of their credit file (I've no idea what one is - intend to look at this in the future but baby steps to start with...) but just keep thinking if they for some reason get a copy of theirs, my disasterous financial history will be on there. Not back with parents due to finances incidently...

Thanks so much for taking the time to read and reply, feel better now than I have for months.

NTK xx

MrsTinks

Whilst your credit file should not affect theirs, then be aware that if you get letters from debt collection agencies or they find out where you live and find the number for the property they can and will call... Whilst this may never happen I would think being honest and upfront with your parents would be far better than them possibly finding out from a charming debt collection company...

DarkConvict

To add to MrsTine, OFT Guidance forbids them talking to others about your debt but debt companies breach these rules alot, nearly every topic on here will have a debt collector have breached one of them, from phoning at work, turning up on the doorstep uninvited, ringing neighbours. They do it to apply pressure because they know it works. OFT guidance is here, and if they do breach any of them do report them to the OFT asap. - http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf

As above, your credit report is your name and address. Addresses are not blacklisted but again as MrsTine says, letters are sent out so it is possible for parents to open by accident or read the return address. Hiding debt in the house you live in may not be as easy s you think and you maybe be worse worrying about it, rather than been open to begin with. They will appreciate that you are dealing with it, but may be offended if they find out from someone else as they will just think you are hiding it. The courage comes from you been able to take the steps to deal with it, and this will include not been ashamed of it.

Needtoknow_3

Sorry I maybe should have explained - I've debt but not missed a payment on any cc I have ever - once I went over the agreed credit limit but that was an error by the cc company - they had not transferred a balance for some reason which was then promptly rectified. Its the fact I HAVE debt and the size - not that I can't pay it. From reading these pages it seems the "done thing" to tell partners about debt but as mentioned I do not want parents to know - would gain nothing if they did apart from make them ill wand sick ith worry and I'd be ill worrying about them instead of me dealing with and getting to my debt free day - even if it really far in the future.

Thank you again.

NTK x

DarkConvict

In that case, it should be fairly easy to keep it secret as you will just get normal CC statements. You should have no problems

In my opinion i would let MSE help you, post up an SOA and maybe we can see your budget and suggust ideas on how to tackle it - http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

Needtoknow_3

An SOA - live with parents so dont have an soa really - keep, travel few drinks once a month and broadband ! cancelled everything like hsa, savings plans etc - luxuries i can't afford. Im really really ready to deal with these now and feel quite positive, even a bit excited that I could get that bill for a cc one day with a balance of £0.00 - thats my little dream ! One step, one day, one card at at a time but Ill do it !

Thanks again - the support on here is absolutely amazing.

NTK x

DarkConvict

If you really want to tackle your debts you need to learn to budget. Going on i won't buy the luxaries etc, will not help you find out where you are wasting money. Give it a go and see where you end up. If you can't work out where your income goes you will find it hard to tackle debt problems.