wrong info with credit rating agency

qaz

Hi all,

After 1st direct turned me down 4 a bank acct I concluded that my credit record was blemished with a note of an alleged debt to telewest, my credit record has always been excellent.

Telewest tried to get 2 collection agencies to recover [£180] alleged debt from me, but the agencies dropped the case after I explained to them that I had NOT instructed telewest to remove the "call block" which stopped premium rate numbers being dialed by my infected computer [Telewest say I DID tell them to remove the call block] [alleged debt was for the premium rate numbers]
Problem is that its Telewests word against mine as no court/legal action was involved.

My question is does anyone know how I can address the problem as Telewest will undoubtedly maintain that I owe them money and local debt help agencies just say its between me and the other parties, and Experian credit rating agency may well choose to believe Telewest as they do business together. It seems that the situation is potentially dangerous as any company can ruin your credit rating at will, andfor any reason they like.

I’d also like to ask: should I use my 2 credit cards to influence my rating as so far [2 years] they’ve seldom seen action.

pls email me if poss as ive not used forums [but will try anyway]

thanks anyone, mark

Joe_Bloggs

There are lots of useful tips in MSE Martin's article:-
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1045407603,23112,
Specifically the credit reference file errors section. Here you can add a rider to the existing comments in the file if you disagree with what is written.
J_B.

Galstonian

First off, do you know this is on your file? If you haven't got your credit reports then get them (only £2).

Adding your own notice is all very well but I think you need to get some kind of final statement on this. You do not elaborate on what has passed between you and Telewest, did your formally dispute the debt with them? Do you have proof that a call-block was added? Did they come back with any proof whatsoever that you authorised removal of the call block? If as you say it is only your word against theirs I think you should write to them explaining your view of the situation suggesting that until they can give some evidience that the bill is genuine they keep the matter enitirely in-house and do not report unsettled debt to any credit reference agency. You might invite them to take you to court or drop the matter entirely. If they have accepted they are not going to get any money then maybe making a nuisance of yourself can get them to just forget the whole thing?

qaz

what makes joe bloggs think i haVENT read that article?

yes i know its on my file, am not intertested in adding a notice aS IM not guilty <wink>.
no one says the call block wasnt added they just say i told them to remove it, but i didnt.
i will invite them to take me to court or drop the matter ...sounds sensible, but im still interested to know if there is a body that regulates/oversees what companys like telewest have put on ones record, see para below from my 1st post:

"It seems that the situation is potentially dangerous as any company can ruin your credit rating at will, andfor any reason they like."

does any one know if legal aid will cover resolving this sort of problem?

thanks 4 the input

Galstonian

Telewest will be overseen by Ofcom. The commissioner for data protection and possibly trading standards might be interested in inaccurate reoprting to CRAs. Can't say anything about legal aid, it seems unlikely it would get that far for such a small sum.

qaz

thanks Galstonian

thats really useful...i'll check them out
qaz

seaniboy

Ofcom and Otelo are defo the way to go, with regards to legal aid if your income allows you the right to legal aid then yes your fine

qaz

thanks seaniboy.....whats Otelo...havent heard of that one