Proclaiming from the rooftops...

elljay

I've had a response from The Gazette. Referring me to their policy which states:

"Though we will not remove notices from The Gazette, we will ensure that notices are blocked from search engines such as Google after a six year period has elapsed, and the information is no longer required by credit referencing agencies. This will be done automatically for you"

So my only hope is google now. I still don't understand how others haven't found themselves though.

TheGardener

elljay wrote: »

Thank you. Yes I do feel really bad, almost not wanting to show my face outside. One of my family or their friends is bound to have seen it by now, kids often google family names when they have nothing else to do. If my very elderly mother found it it could kill her and she and her friends are always digging about looking at the family tree etc. She's only just got used to babies being born out of wedlock, and gay marriages and women bishops mean we are all doomed to hell. Bankruptcy is in the same category!

... surely I can't be the only one bothered by this, after all it could affect our ability to get jobs for example, as employers often do a simple google check on prospective employees. There's plenty about me on the net which would make me employable, but this near the top of the page would kill those prospects stone dead.

No - you are not the only one to feel this way, but there is actually very little that can be done. Once it became clear my 'secret' was out I chose to take control and told my 3 closest friends - they were shocked and of the 3, 2 could not have been more supportive - true friends. The 3rd was a bit sniffy about it at the time but within months it became apparent she too was in debt way over her head and actually came to me to ask advice!
I also told my brother and he, like me, knew the news would deeply upset my father and wouldn't dream of telling him. Thankfully my fathers lack of technical understanding means I can pretty much guarantee he will not find the info on the web whereas he would certainly have read it in the announcements column - most older people do read them.
Don't be ashamed, you have taken action that has set you on the road to financial recovery - that is a responsible thing to do. Ignore the snipes - they are not worth your time. People like that will find a new 'victim' to gossip about soon enough. Hold your head up - BR is not a crime. :A

elljay

Thank you TheGardener. The kindness in your response has had me in tears (again!!!). I can't bring myself to tell anyone, many will now know anyway. I think perhaps 2015 is the year I take stock and make some plans. I know you can't run away from these things but it's particularly hurtful as my bankruptcy was as a result of some decisions designed to support someone else and they now appear to have forgotten that - they have moved on with their life and I am stuck with all of this.

However, time to find a way to move on myself I think now. The support of complete strangers on here has been absolutely invaluable, I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart and wish everyone a Happy New Year.

EJ

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elljay

As an update to this, I have received the following response from Google.

"It appears that the content on this URL is being published and provided to search engines, on an ongoing basis, by a government body or agency. In light of the government’s ongoing choice to make this material available to the public, our conclusion is that Google’s reference to this information in our search results is justified by the public interest.

At this time, Google has decided not to take action on these URLs."

Surely there's a difference - as we keep being advised, the information on the Gazette and the Insolvency websites is publicly available for anyone wanting to check if I am bankrupt or not - that's one thing. Finding my bankruptcy record when checking a neighbour's exact address to drop off a parcel delivered by mistake, is something else. Or is it?

Am verging between suicidal and wanting to fight this. However, just a warning to anyone who thinks people will only find out by deliberately searching the Gazette - it isn't true. Your elderly mother can find out when researching family history, (or worse, her friends will find out) your little grandchildren will find out when idly googling when they're bored in the holidays, your employer will find out, the charities you volunteer for will find out, your landlord and any future landlords will find out.

Sorry to sound overdramatic but the OR made a real point of explaining how people will really only find out if they search the Gazette, and that she would not tell my landlord. No point in such reassurances really. I was so sure I'd researched well before taking the decision to become bankrupt, if I'd known this I would have found another way.

EJ

alastairq

if I'd known this I would have found another way.

Without intending to be harsh, there is, really, no alternative. One is either insolvent, or one is not.

The nearest alternatives also involve an Insolvency process...ie, IVA or DRO....and I would not recommend an IVA except under specific circumstances....since, if the rigorous rules that enshroud an IVA cannot be kept to, Bankruptcy ensues...and effectively, one has wasted one's time.

Sadly, to me it looks like you are a victim of your own upbringing.


Bankruptcy is no more something to be ashamed of, than Divorce.

Both are a legal resolution to an insurmountable problem.

So what if you, or anyone else, is an Undischarged Bankrupt?

Automatic Discharge will come soon enough, and who knows, maybe your Google presence will change?

If others around you cannot accept Bankruptcy for what it really is, because their perceptions are askew, that is for them to deal with, not you.

The important thing now is you....and how you are going to take advantage of what Bankruptcy has offered you?

What others may think, or find out inadvertently, is irrelevant.

With regards to your Landlord?

Is Bankruptcy specifically mentioned in your tenancy agreement?

In my experience, most Landlords have no issues with Bankruptcy...as long as there are no rent arrears involved.

In fact, someone who is Bankrupt is more likely to be able to continue paying rent, than someone who is mired in debt.

tiggerbodhi

Hi,
The problem with search engines is that the more you look the more you find, if you search for anything that relates to your name, address etc or even close to your recently looked at URL will be on the listing of results, if you do these searches don't click on the Gazette one or the IS register one, even if not relevant click on another, also try building your own website (free on loads of places, Moonfruit.com etc) put your name all over it, put pages with variations of your name and address and links to random Innocuous websites, search for your new site on google and open it from google search, give it time and your IS and Gazette results will move down the list and disappear in the depths after time.


Probably not your "scene" but build profiles on linked in and facebook, these will help as well.


But BR is nothing to be ashamed of, I sort of embraced it and happy to admit it to anyone, it shows that you are prepared to take control and have a positive impact on your life, not struggle on trying to save "face" In the community, be proud of your own actions, rarely is BR self inflicted, most is because of a change in circumstance or the actions of others.