Credit Rating Agencies: an unconquerable beast?!

Protege1987

After failing credit checks undertaken by companies using Equifax for a hire car and a new mobile phone contract recently I came to learn that Equifax were holding, at the very least, an incorrect address for me. I tried to obtain my statutory £2 credit report from them, but their website continued failing on me. I lodged queries with their online FAQs section (no other query outlets available) but only received automated replies back. Thinking that credit rating agencies would all hold the same information (they must use the same reliable data sources right?!) I downloaded my free credit report from Experian but found all my details correct and a perfect credit score! At my wits end and unable to contact Equifax by phone or get anywhere with their online queries mechanism I wrote a formal complaint to the postal address given on their website. Their website claims they will respond within 5 days, but I sent the letter on the 18th February! My letter explained everything, included screen shots of their failing website, my attempts to contact them via Twitter and a confirmation from the council confirming my address but I've heard nothing. I want them to update my address details but also speak to me so that I can check all my other details are correct! I don't even mind if I have to call them!

What can I do now? Should I progress this complaint straight to the Ombudsman? It just feels like these credit rating companies are able to do whatever they want without having to answer to anyone or take responsibility for their actions! Where on earth are they getting everyone's details from to get them so wrong? This is stopping me going about my daily business. Any advice would be much appreciated.

dalesrider

You can call their customer support on 0844 335 0550

pmduk

You can only go to the Ombudsman when the co has exhausted their complaints procedure or 8 weeks after the formal complaint, whichever comes first. You might also wish to complain to the information commissioner.

ILW

Protege1987 wrote: »

After failing credit checks undertaken by companies using Equifax for a hire car and a new mobile phone contract recently I came to learn that Equifax were holding, at the very least, an incorrect address for me. I tried to obtain my statutory £2 credit report from them, but their website continued failing on me. I lodged queries with their online FAQs section (no other query outlets available) but only received automated replies back. Thinking that credit rating agencies would all hold the same information (they must use the same reliable data sources right?!) I downloaded my free credit report from Experian but found all my details correct and a perfect credit score! At my wits end and unable to contact Equifax by phone or get anywhere with their online queries mechanism I wrote a formal complaint to the postal address given on their website. Their website claims they will respond within 5 days, but I sent the letter on the 18th February! My letter explained everything, included screen shots of their failing website, my attempts to contact them via Twitter and a confirmation from the council confirming my address but I've heard nothing. I want them to update my address details but also speak to me so that I can check all my other details are correct! I don't even mind if I have to call them!

What can I do now? Should I progress this complaint straight to the Ombudsman? It just feels like these credit rating companies are able to do whatever they want without having to answer to anyone or take responsibility for their actions! Where on earth are they getting everyone's details from to get them so wrong? This is stopping me going about my daily business. Any advice would be much appreciated.

That is not correct. Different credit suppliers report to diffent CRAs

antrobus

pmduk wrote: »

You can only go to the Ombudsman when the co has exhausted their complaints procedure or 8 weeks after the formal complaint, whichever comes first. You might also wish to complain to the information commissioner.

I'd have thought that the ICO would have been the first port of call; I don't believe that the FOS has jurisdiction over CRAs.