Callcredit - Electoral Roll update error

exoteric

Hi all,

I've been using Callcredit's reports since the start of the year and have just noticed that, ever since the latest Electoral Roll update in February this year, they have amended my current entry to make it incorrect.

I have been registered on the Electoral Roll at my current address since 2009, which is what the report used to show, but since the update in February 2014 it shows only that I have been registered at the address since February 2014! This is obviously wrong, but I am now concerned that any lenders seeing this will think that I've been off the Electoral Roll for 5 years.

I've written to Callcredit to get this changed as soon as possible, but I just wanted to see whether anyone else had experienced the same problem?

WorkingTowardsDebtFree

Yes - I've had problems with CallCredit and Equifax.

CallCredit aren't showing me at all - and are trying to say that they're only going by what the ER shows and therefore nothing can be changed (although they have now asked for a letter from the local council ER office) - they're refusing to accept there can be any issue with their systems and are refusing to carry out any kind of check.

Experian is showing the other person at this address and I correctly on the ER.

Equifax is showing the other person and I at this address correctly, but also an additional previous tenant that I know hasn't been on the ER here for at least 2 years. Again they're refusing to accept there could be any issues with their systems and that they are reporting the ER correctly, but refuse to even check. Again they've asked for a letter from the local council ER office.

The fact is that there are only two people registered at this address (the other half and I) - confirmed by the local council ER office. The three agencies all bought the registers in April and the council have confirmed that the information for this address that has been provided to each. They're now writing the relevant letters...

It is crazy that there's obviously something wrong with two out of the three CRA's data, and for companies whose entire business is providing relevant and accurate data (and there's a legal requirement for them to) that they show no willingness to accept that something may have gone wrong and carry out a check. It's then left to me to prove my case and do the running around, and the local council ER office to do the running round... Whilst the companies illegally reporting the wrong information and making money off the back of it just don't care.

LibertyBelle

I agree, it's totally not fair, credit ratings need regulating better.

CreditCrunchie

They need putting out of business. Their info is never correct, half missing, and they refuse to amend or update.

fuzzgun19

I'm still not showing as on the ER on Noddle

WorkingTowardsDebtFree

Okay just got a bit more info... Apparently the local ER office has said that it's £17.55 for a letter to confirm I and my partner are on the ER here for CallCredit - but they didn't want me to waste my money and they let me know that CallCredit only requested the new register from them LAST WEEK. So CallCredit have been telling porkies when they say they bought the registers back in February and their data couldn't possibly be wrong.

I get that it's a huge task to update this info. I get that mistakes are made. But when your whole business is based around holding and providing accurate information about people - to a point it can make their lives very difficult or very easy - and make a small fortune from businesses and consumers where you can - surely you should ensure that data is as accurate as possible, as quickly as possible, address errors immediately and be open and transparent? Or is it just me?

CreditCrunchie

There's no reason you should have to pay for a letter of confirmation!!!!! I've had them for free, scanned and sent via email from my last 3 councils. Yours sound like right cheeky beggars :-0

BP1987

My Council charge £20!

CreditCrunchie

Really?? Goodness! Email them and say you're concerned you're not showing up on the ER as you've recently had trouble getting credit, could they please check for you and send a letter of confirmation.

WorkingTowardsDebtFree

Seems it's at the council's discretion. From the Electoral Commission's website (sorry can't post link due to being a new user to MSE Forums) - my emphasis:

However if you have been told by a bank or credit reference agency that you have been denied credit because they are unable to verify your details on the electoral register this is because the register is often used for credit referencing purposes to counteract fraud. In this case you will need to contact the Electoral Registration Officer at your local authority for confirmation that you are registered. They will be able to supply you with a letter confirming your details on the electoral register, possibly at a charge.

The whole industry seems like a complete joke, almost designed to contain inaccuracies to force people to pay for records (even the £2 ones, but they hope the more expensive services), designed to run very slowly almost to encourage people to take out subscription services to track changes (when people and banks can send payments, e-mails, all kinds of information instantly - surely updates to records should at worst be overnight?).... And then everyone "claims" their information can't possibly be wrong, and it's left to the poor sod being lied about to do the running round to prove their innocence and the facts.

Burden of proof should be on the creditors and the CRAs when they're reporting negative or incorrect information, surely?

fuzzgun19

CreditCrunchie wrote: »

Really?? Goodness! Email them and say you're concerned you're not showing up on the ER as you've recently had trouble getting credit, could they please check for you and send a letter of confirmation.

When I called my council a few weeks ago, they didn't mention a charge, but said I'd have to go to the office with ID before they could give me a letter of confirmation.