Equifax Report, Names and Addresses

s0680302

(apologies if I've posted this in the wrong forum, mods feel free to move it if needed)

So, I've just been on the phone to Equifax for over half an hour trying to get my credit report tidied up. Experian, who I get "free" with my RBS account, have been great at dealing with my slightly overcomplicated situation. Equifax not so much.

Partially the problem is that there are two ways of writing addresses in Scotland, and for my current one, the banks all use one way, and the electoral register uses the other. But that seems to be getting sorted, as they'll all merge together.

My bigger issue is the electoral register stuff and my name. I changed the spelling of my first name from the English spelling to the Irish spelling a number of years ago. Didn't require a dead poll etc, easily done on my passport so that was fine. Surname is still exactly the same.

Problem was, from 2006 ~2010, I was listed on the electoral roll by my English first name, and from then on by my Irish first name. Experian were able to handle this by listing the old spelling as an alias. Equifax's systems "are only set up for aliases for females and only for a change of surname". So apparently there is no way of my equifax report showing me on the register from 2006-2010.

Basically Equifax have offered to post a notice of correction, telling lenders that I was on the roll for previous years and to search under the English spelling of my name. My question to you folks, for which any advice would be greatly received, is is this worth it? I know from other posts that this generally means that any and all applications get referred.

Equifax's "credit score", which I know is just their assessment of me, says I should be on the electoral register for ideally 4+ years...

I'm just trying to get everything tidied up as I may be applying for a career development loan for a Master's for next year.

Experian_company_representative

Lenders have to read a notice of correction, which is why credit reports containing one have to be referred out of scoring to an underwriter. I believe that for most lenders the electoral roll serves to verify name, address and residential history, so not so much a credit scoring issue. So in that respect I suspect have an NOC on your report might do the trick. The only downside, as you say, is that it will cause a delay. But if it saves you hassle further down the line, or even refusal, it may be worth it.

James Jones