Addresses on Credit Reports - Discrepancies - Does it matter, Should I sort out?

Izzy123456

I am a discharged bankrupt currently cleaning up my credit reports. All fine in terms of the default records correct dates and settled, but I think I might have a problem with the different addresses on my credit reports.

My address is a bit confusing. I live in a flat in a house, and the landlord named my flat "A", address 62A.

So I gave my address in credit card applications as "62A MyStreet". I have a number of defaulted settled credit card records with this.
Also my mobile phone record (non-defaulted).

Then I found out that the automatic address finders in bank forms online throw up a flat number for me - which is "flat 1".
So my new basic bank accounts are under "Flat 1, 62 MyStreet".

To make it even more complicated, turns out the council has named my flat something else! So under the electoral roll my address is "Flat 2A, 62 MyStreet". This is the address the credit reports have as my electoral roll address.

My "current address" recorded on each credit report:
equifax: 62A MyStreet
experian: 62 MyStreet
callcredit: Flat 2A, 62 MyStreet

Confused yet?

I am not sure how to sort this mess out. Can I even get the addresses changed for the credit card defaulted settled records?

Or are these differences too slight to affect my credit rating?

please help!

Izzy

Ineedaname

I would start by checking what the post office have as your official address as most auto address finders are provided by the post office. Get them to change it if it's not correct.

Then you can make inroads to correcting everything else, start with the electoral role, then your current accounts and then move on to the credit reference agencies. Once the 'official' records are correct and the same (post office and electoral role) you should be able to get everyone else to amend their records accordingly.

[Deleted User]

I agree with inan - check what your address is with royal mail then insist everyone else uses that (regardless of what their system says!)
I'd start with the electoral roll/council first then when that's sorted it's up to you whether you chase up the rest or not...

We have a similar situation being 99A - sometimes on websites I've been offered a list of 8 different options for the flats in this house (99) when there is actually only 4!
Any business who is not using the Royal Mail PAF file for their address look up, is not good practice and they should not be adding random addresses in - leaves many businesses open to scams/fraud.
lbm

cookie.monster_6

I recently read on a different thread that Royal Mail can make amendments to their database.

The poster had similar issues with address discrepancies which Royal Mail were able to update and sort out.

May be worth contacting them for advice.

Izzy123456

Thanks so much for all the replies :j

I ended up ringing Experian yesterday, to enquire how I can go about updating this on my report (once royal mail the same as the electoral roll address). I'm currently signed up to the credit expert free trial so I get free phone help.

I had quite a long conversation with the lady, and it turns out that in my case, she said my credit score will not be affected at all. She said that the system recognises that it is all the same person/same place. I think because the house number, and the street name, is always the same. I suspect it also helps that there is no-one else at my house number using the variations I have.

So I am going to call equifax and call credit too, see what they have to say on the matter. Will update here.

Izzy

Experian_company_representative

Definitely still worth speaking to Royal Mail about your address though as you really need to make sure that the address they have for you matches the address on the electoral roll at your local council, as well as the address you use when you apply for credit.

James Jones

Izzy123456

Hello folks,

Just updating this thread.

Equifax did not provide any further useful information - I spoke to their offshore call centre and the person did not seem to understand.

Callcredit were a bit more helpful. Although the guy was not 100% sure he said he didn't think it would make a difference. Said I could put a notice of correction on my credit report if I wanted to. Was a nice guy but sounded pretty junior.

James Jones - thank you for your message! If you are still looking this this thead, please could you answer the following ...

I will actually be moving out from my current address in a few months time all going well. I won't make any more credit applications between now and then.

So I guess I don't need to update Royal Mail after all? And because I'm moving out, the historical address discrepancies would matter even less (if they mattered at all)?