Yorkshire Water

GingerBob_3

Mentioned this briefly in another thread - does anyone know on what legal basis Yorkshire Water report customer accounts to Experian? With my own water company I have never given them permission to do so and I have no contract, nor T&Cs with them. They, like all other water companies, are obliged to supply me, and I have no choice in the provider. The likes of Experian make a big song and dance about credit searches and reporting only being done with your permission, but this doesn't seem to be the case with Yorkshire Water. As far as I know they did not ask their customers for permission to do this.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

GingerBob wrote: »

Mentioned this briefly in another thread - does anyone know on what legal basis Yorkshire Water report customer accounts to Experian? With my own water company I have never given them permission to do so and I have no contract, nor T&Cs with them. They, like all other water companies, are obliged to supply me, and I have no choice in the provider. The likes of Experian make a big song and dance about credit searches and reporting only being done with your permission, but this doesn't seem to be the case with Yorkshire Water. As far as I know they did not ask their customers for permission to do this.

It really is starting to sicken me the way firms are jumping on the Experian bandwaggon. If it really bothers you like it does me phone up Yorkshire Water and tell them you are moving. Get a final bill, pay it and then simply pay any future bills sent to "The Occupier". If they wont accept that just re-create an account with a new name and they can "report" on Cyril Smith or Josephine Bickerstaff or whoever you choose.

Remember it is not illegal to use an alternative name in the UK it is only illegal of used for fraudulent purposes which would be the case if you deliberately did not pay.

Neither my BT, TV Licence or water bill is in my name because I don't agree with the whole CRA thing. My electric and gas say "The Occupier" and I have paid them on time every time for years like that.

The right to privacy is being eroded.

fermi

http://www.experian.co.uk/assets/identity-and-fraud/yorkshire-water-case-study.pdf

Also the answers on your previous thread here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4919247

Hazzinho

Utility companies shouldn't report to CRA's in my opinion, they are useless at doing the simple things right. Not taking DD payments is an old favourite of theirs, a lot of people will be punished for their incompetence when their finances are fine.

GingerBob_3

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

It really is starting to sicken me the way firms are jumping on the Experian bandwaggon. If it really bothers you like it does me phone up Yorkshire Water and tell them you are moving. Get a final bill, pay it and then simply pay any future bills sent to "The Occupier". If they wont accept that just re-create an account with a new name and they can "report" on Cyril Smith or Josephine Bickerstaff or whoever you choose.

Remember it is not illegal to use an alternative name in the UK it is only illegal of used for fraudulent purposes which would be the case if you deliberately did not pay.

Neither my BT, TV Licence or water bill is in my name because I don't agree with the whole CRA thing. My electric and gas say "The Occupier" and I have paid them on time every time for years like that.

The right to privacy is being eroded.

Excellent idea.

If my water company ever says it's going to report my account to the CRAs that's what I'll do. At the moment I pay by DD, so I suppose they could get a good ID match from my account details. The DD discount is pitifully small, so I'll pay by SO and they will know me as "The Occupier".

[Deleted User]

I pay my utility bills by Paypoint and Payzone cards.

Thrugelmir

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

It really is starting to sicken me the way firms are jumping on the Experian bandwaggon.

If everybody paid their bills would be no need for CRA's. Bills would be significantly lower too.

JJB223

i would be interested in where this goes, I checked my call credit file today and found my yorkshire water account (which was opened in 2001) has just appeared, with no history payment data, but a start date of 2001 (so it looks like it has been one for 13 years with no payments). I understood that under DPA they would need consent to share account performance data with a CRA unless in cases when the account is in arrears and the information is shared as you have been classed as a debtor

cheops2006

It really gets on my nerves too I checked my credit report and they have associated me with 2 people one being an ex about 6 years ago and my current partner who I don't have any financial connection with.

I quickly phoned them up and told them to remove them which they have done.

GingerBob_3

See related thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/65968303#Comment_65968303