Disassociation

Billiophile

Hi all,

I wonder if you can help.

I'll explain. My brother lives abroad, and had used my UK address for things like his bank statements, etc. He's never lived with me, and we have no financial associations. This month, I have had debt collection letters come through the post. Basically, he hasn't been paying his credit card bill. Of course, I have no way of getting hold of my brother.

The reason I've opened the letters is because we share the same name (as in our names differ only when middle names come into play). For example, on the letters, it'll have Bob Williams written. However, my brother is Bob Charles Williams, whereas I am Bob Anthony Williams. (These are not the real names, by the way)

I've spoken to his bank, they've just referred me to the debt collectors. I've since spoken to the debt collectors and they've now directed to the credit reference agencies (CRA).

I was made aware of something known as disassociation and that one can attempt such an exercise with the 3 CRAs: Experian, Callcredit and Equifax.

Callcredit has been the most helpful, told me to email them with the relevant details and they'll do the rest.

Equifax responded via email, but insisted I must have a credit report with them for disassociation to proceed.

Nothing from Experian so far.

I know there are disassociation forms available on their websites, but I want to check I'm going about it the right way before any form filling is required.

Please advise. Much appreciated.

Tixy

Hi

First you need to get your credit reports to see what they show from all 3 agencies (you can get them for £2 each for the statutory reports, or free trials if you've not used them before - noddle is free online anyway).

At a guess its unlikely it will be down as a financial association on your credit reports because you've never held joint accounts. I doubt a notice of disassociation will help.

What is more likely it because of the similar name and address that these accounts may have been put on your file as though they are your accounts in error. If that is the case then you'll need to send a letter to each credit reference agency explaining that these are your brother's debts not yours and providing his full name details and date of birth (hopefully you are not twins).

If his debts do not show on your credit file (and he is not down as an associate) then his debts will not be affecting your ability to get credit, and nothing actually needs correcting with the credit reference agencies.

Again if they are not on your file then with regards to any letters you receive that are about his debts I would simply return them to sender marked 'not at this address' or 'moved abroad'. I'd return all letters not just those from debt collectors but his bank statements and anything else that comes through.

Billiophile

Thanks Tixy. I didn't think disassociation is the way to go. I've never had a need for a credit report (never been in debt, never needed masses of credit for anything in particular, fortunately). I guess it's more finding a way to:

a) stop the letters from coming to my address
b) stop potential debt collectors coming to my home thinking my brother lives here.

The return to sender / live abroad route is plausible, but it's a bit difficult knowing that some of these letters may actually be addressed to me (if only firms would print the full names).

We're not twins, thank goodness. That would make the whole process all the more complicated.

Would you still advise I get a credit report from the 3 CRAs anyway?

Tixy

I would still get copies of your credit reports. You might have never been in debt before and not think you need credit but if his defaulted debts are on your file you'll find it hard to get things such as a new phone contract or new utility company etc, and if you ever want a mortgage you don't want to be affected by this.

It will be hard to stop the creditors sending letters to you (and some letters legally must be sent to the last known address) but if you keep returning the debt collector ones then they should eventually stop writing.

There was a case on here of twins with very similar names (something like Jenny and Janey, one of whom had a constant battle to keep her sister's defaulted debts off her credit file due to the date of birth being the same).