Incorrect credit file information help

KRaikkonen

Hi, I have recently been taking more of a interest in my credit history and file. This is because I have been interested in financing a new car. So I took out a trial with Experian to check my score. All is well on my side with my details as there is nothing wrong with my credit history. But there are 5 defaulted accounts all under my name with my date of birth and address but with the title Mrs (im a Mr).

These accounts were created by my mum but she has informed me that it has been a mistake that they were created in my name and my date of birth. Also we live at the same address so that matches aswell, so it looks like they are my accounts even though I am not associated in any way to them.

I have been in contact with Experian who cannot amend the information without consent of the cocompanies, my mum has attempted to contact the companies but they have either not rereplied or replied saying that the information is accurate and that it cannot be amended.

So I ask can anyone help me with this situation as it has been nearly 2 months now and I cannot get anywhere with this?

Thanks!

Armorica

How was it a mistake they are in your date of birth?? While you may not want to hear it, the other alternative is that your mum has essentially committed identify theft against you.

Are you certain that she has contacted the companies?

Tixy

Did you mother fraudulently set up these accounts using your details? Are they in your name as well as your date of birth?

The only likely chance you have of getting these removed is for you to contact each creditor to inform them that this is a case of identity fraud and that the accounts were not opened by you and you did not spend on these accounts. I would suggest writing to each.

They may request a crime number for the fraud. It can be difficut to prove fraud in this type of case and difficult to get the entries removed.

Are the defaults showing as still outstanding? or has mother paid them? If the debts are still outstanding have the creditors not been chasing you in relation to these accounts? What are the dates of the defaults? if this is the first time you have requested your credit file then you may find that they will recommence chasing you for payment?

KRaikkonen

Hi, yes it is strange that they are in my date of birth aswell. And yes they are in my first and second name but with the title of Mrs.

I'm not sure if they are still outstanding but I haven't been contacted regarding anything of this matter, although there have been letters received in my name but with my mother's title of Mrs which have been "intended" for her..it all gets a bit confusing!

Atm the companies are refusing to amend the information and I am unable to even be considered for credit of any kind!

I am going to phone each company to explain the situation as I am fed up of waiting and dealing over letter when they don't reply.

It all does seem a bit fishy to me aswell.

How would it work if I were to say it is fraud?

Thanks.

Tixy

The entries on your file will either show outstanding amounts, or will show as settled defaults. If there is an outstanding balance then the debt has not been paid.

If you say a family member has committed identity fraud against you they should investigate and may ask you for a crime number - i.e check that you have reported the fraud to the police. If they believe you they should remove the entries from your credit file.

Have you actually written to each of the creditors yourself? it is you that needs to write, not your mother. You could try phoning but if you do I would follow up any phone call with a letter.

KRaikkonen

Tixy wrote: »

The entries on your file will either show outstanding amounts, or will show as settled defaults. If there is an outstanding balance then the debt has not been paid.

If you say a family member has committed identity fraud against you they should investigate and may ask you for a crime number - i.e check that you have reported the fraud to the police. If they believe you they should remove the entries from your credit file.

Have you actually written to each of the creditors yourself? it is you that needs to write, not your mother. You could try phoning but if you do I would follow up any phone call with a letter.

I will double check that tomorrow regarding the default.

It is an awkward situation to be in; considering reporting my mother for identity fraud against me but it is severely hindering me.

I have not myself as I trusted my mother to but it all seems a bit vague. Ok I will phone each of them and write to them aa also.

P.s. one of the 5 entries is a ccj.

Thanks for the replies!

KRaikkonen

Been in contact with a few of the companies. One agreed to change the information straight away. Another has sent out documents asking for signatures to confirm the change. One has refused to change the information. And I can't get in touch with the other.

Some progress..

Candyapple

KRaikkonen wrote: »

But there are 5 defaulted accounts all under my name with my date of birth and address but with the title Mrs (im a Mr).

These accounts were created by my mum but she has informed me that it has been a mistake that they were created in my name and my date of birth.

What type of accounts are they? Credit cards, catalogue accounts?

If post has been coming to your house, albeit your name but with Mrs instead of Mr as the prefix, did you not open any of the letters?

Sounds to me like your mum has screwed you over. It's not an innocent mistake creating 5 different accounts in your name. The only way to resolve your credit file becoming clear again is to report her to the police and then contact the companies with the crime reference number and citing ID theft and then you'll need to check all your files again to see if the accounts have been removed and updated but this could take a few months.

KRaikkonen

Candyapple wrote: »

What type of accounts are they? Credit cards, catalogue accounts?

If post has been coming to your house, albeit your name but with Mrs instead of Mr as the prefix, did you not open any of the letters?

Sounds to me like your mum has screwed you over. It's not an innocent mistake creating 5 different accounts in your name. The only way to resolve your credit file becoming clear again is to report her to the police and then contact the companies with the crime reference number and citing ID theft and then you'll need to check all your files again to see if the accounts have been removed and updated but this could take a few months.

They are catalogue accounts.

Post has been coming but as I have the same first initial and surname as her (post comes as J.Bloggs for example), with the title Mrs so I have always assumed that they were her letters.

I think I agree with you unfortunately! Well at the moment it seems like progress is being made with a few of them as they have agreed to cancel the account in my name and inform Experian, etc. It's just I keep having to chase them all up with the little time I have to do so!

What implications would reporting it as fraud have to my mum and what exactly would it entail as I'm really not sure how this works with the fraud side of things?

Thanks.

Candyapple

Firstly I would also get copies of your credit file from all 3 CRA's (Equifax, Experian and Noddle which is free) as there may be other accounts taken out that you are unaware of as not all companies report to all 3.

You mentioned that you both share the same first initial, however in your OP you also stated that it is your DOB and full first name used, just the prefix changed to Mrs. This would imply to me your mum has done this deliberately to pull the wool over your eyes.

If you choose to shop your mum you will need to go to your local police station and report the crime to them and obtain a crime reference number. ID theft is still a crime at the end of the day and she has obtained money under deception so it's anyone's guess whether the police would follow-up and prosecute her or just not investigate further due to lack of resources etc. Either way, the only way most companies will remove the data off your files is to have a crime reference number as otherwise lots of people could take out cards etc and just cite ID theft to get out of repaying. The catalogue company and whoever else the accounts are with are also victims here as they are left with no payments.

Here is another old but relevant thread.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1679377

Good luck, it can't be an easy situation to be in.