Can someone explain what this sentence means please?

[Deleted User]

I am trying to get my credit record cleaned up as it is now over six years from taking out my IVA.

I have requested that the default records be removed from my credit report and this is the response I got.

"Please be advised that Individual Voluntary Arrangements are considered to be completely separate entries from the accounts they refer to, therefore Equifax are unable to amend or remove the account information."

Thanks.

fermi

Equifax cannot alter the information on defaulted accounts themselves because of the IVA.

It's the creditors who have to change the information they submit to Equifax.

So you..

(a) Ask Equifax to dispute the default date of any account covered by the IVA if it is after the date of the start of the IVA. Equifax then contact the creditor.

or

(b) Write directly to the credit yourself disputing the default date.

If as a result of the dispute the default date is changed to the date of your IVA start, then the defaulted accounts will automatically not show on credit reports when the IVA itself comes off.

[Deleted User]

It's the records with default dates that are now over 6 years ago that I have asked to be removed that have not been removed.

fermi

[quote=[Deleted User];51912219]It's the records with default dates that are now over 6 years ago that have not been removed.[/QUOTE]

I see.

Equifax are usually slow at removing records ate the end of the 6 years. It can take 6 years + several weeks for them to be taken off.

In contrast, Experian act correctly and remove them at midnight exactly 6 years later.

Seems that Equifax have the wrong end of the stick with their reply. The defaults should no longer show as they are 6 years old.

Nothing to do with the fact they were covered by an IVA.

You can make a formal complaint to Equifax that they are reporting data over 6 years old, in contravention of ICO guidance under the DPA.

However, as it's likely there is only a short delay before they are removed anyway, then a complaint may not make any real difference, as by the time Equifax get around to reacting to it they could be gone.

Part of me says complain anyway., as Equifax shouldn't be allowed to take this slovenly approach to removing expired info. The other part says wait a week or 2, then complain if it's still there. Your call I suppose?