Can't verify ID

Ivah

I want to get an online repayment from HMRC but they use the credit rating agencies to verify my ID and it fails. I've tried creating an account with Equifax, Experian and Clearscore and all have failed. How can I get to the error that there must be somewhere that makes all these checks fail? I haven't borrowed anything (apart from credit card always cleared) for a long time, have lived in the same house for over 30 years, am on the electoral register so I wonder where it fails. I don't have a current passport or photo driving licence which doesn't seem to help!

[Deleted User]

What have the 3 CRAs said?

MacMickster

Why not just phone HMRC and request your repayment?

Ivah

ZX : Just say cannot verify ID. I've sent Birth Certificate and Credit Card bill scans to Equifax and am waiting a response.
Mac : I have my rebate notification, cheque takes 45 days, online takes 3 days.
Thanks for your replies.

Spanlass

Hi, glad you posted this but wish you'd had a helpful response. I've been refused credit three times now in the last two years, two of those I definitely know are because of experian. I've lots of credit history, never defaulted on a payment. I filled in the experian form which wanted bank card details including the security number on the reverse. I called them up in a panic as someone suggested it may be a con website to get your details because I couldn't understand why a free service wanted card details. I called them up and they stated it was to help verify my identity and all was correct, they have my application. I asked if they could explain the issue, they said I'd have to wait for the email as they couldn't verify my identity over the phone. I offered to come to their offices in person to verify my identity, they refused stating they hold a lot of sensitive information and can't have people off the street coming to the premises. The email finally arrived and it stated they had insufficient information to verify my identity. I replied to that email and heard nothing back. Called again today, was told they can't discuss anything over the phone unless I am a member and to send my query via email. I did that and got the same reply from experian they had insufficient information to verify my identity. I asked them what information they require to verify it. I received the reply that they understand how frustrating it can be and if I was a member (subject to monthly fees) blah blah blah. I replied asking how could I join and get my answers if they can't verify who I am in the first place? Funnily enough I have not had another reply yet.
I'd be interested to know if this is a scam by experian to try and get people to pay them money to continue gaining credit by companies, bit like holding us to ransom. I'd love to hear from any others who have issues with experian.
I know experian have information on me because I decided to call my mobile phone provider and ask how they decided to give me the contract, they stated they use experian and if I didn't have an account with experian they would not have offered me the contract.
All helpful feedback gratefully accepted.

LadyDee

Spanlass wrote: »

Hi, glad you posted this but wish you'd had a helpful response. I've been refused credit three times now in the last two years, two of those I definitely know are because of experian. I've lots of credit history, never defaulted on a payment. I filled in the experian form which wanted bank card details including the security number on the reverse. I called them up in a panic as someone suggested it may be a con website to get your details because I couldn't understand why a free service wanted card details. I called them up and they stated it was to help verify my identity and all was correct, they have my application. I asked if they could explain the issue, they said I'd have to wait for the email as they couldn't verify my identity over the phone. I offered to come to their offices in person to verify my identity, they refused stating they hold a lot of sensitive information and can't have people off the street coming to the premises. The email finally arrived and it stated they had insufficient information to verify my identity. I replied to that email and heard nothing back. Called again today, was told they can't discuss anything over the phone unless I am a member and to send my query via email. I did that and got the same reply from experian they had insufficient information to verify my identity. I asked them what information they require to verify it. I received the reply that they understand how frustrating it can be and if I was a member (subject to monthly fees) blah blah blah. I replied asking how could I join and get my answers if they can't verify who I am in the first place? Funnily enough I have not had another reply yet.
I'd be interested to know if this is a scam by experian to try and get people to pay them money to continue gaining credit by companies, bit like holding us to ransom. I'd love to hear from any others who have issues with experian.
I know experian have information on me because I decided to call my mobile phone provider and ask how they decided to give me the contract, they stated they use experian and if I didn't have an account with experian they would not have offered me the contract.
All helpful feedback gratefully accepted.

Why on earth would they need your security number? They cannot use this to verify identity if you are not making payments to them for anything. Where did you get the phone number you used? Did you get it from the email - if so check that it's a genuine number. Keep any eye on your bank a/c and speak to your bank.

sourcrates

Spanlass wrote: »

Hi, glad you posted this but wish you'd had a helpful response. I've been refused credit three times now in the last two years, two of those I definitely know are because of experian. I've lots of credit history, never defaulted on a payment. I filled in the experian form which wanted bank card details including the security number on the reverse. I called them up in a panic as someone suggested it may be a con website to get your details because I couldn't understand why a free service wanted card details. I called them up and they stated it was to help verify my identity and all was correct, they have my application. I asked if they could explain the issue, they said I'd have to wait for the email as they couldn't verify my identity over the phone. I offered to come to their offices in person to verify my identity, they refused stating they hold a lot of sensitive information and can't have people off the street coming to the premises. The email finally arrived and it stated they had insufficient information to verify my identity. I replied to that email and heard nothing back. Called again today, was told they can't discuss anything over the phone unless I am a member and to send my query via email. I did that and got the same reply from experian they had insufficient information to verify my identity. I asked them what information they require to verify it. I received the reply that they understand how frustrating it can be and if I was a member (subject to monthly fees) blah blah blah. I replied asking how could I join and get my answers if they can't verify who I am in the first place? Funnily enough I have not had another reply yet.
I'd be interested to know if this is a scam by experian to try and get people to pay them money to continue gaining credit by companies, bit like holding us to ransom. I'd love to hear from any others who have issues with experian.
I know experian have information on me because I decided to call my mobile phone provider and ask how they decided to give me the contract, they stated they use experian and if I didn't have an account with experian they would not have offered me the contract.
All helpful feedback gratefully accepted.

Wow Big alarm bells ringing reading this post.

There is only one reason anyone would want the security number off your bank card and that's to take money from your account.

This sounds seriously dodgey to me !!

GingerBob_3

sourcrates wrote: »

Wow Big alarm bells ringing reading this post.

There is only one reason anyone would want the security number off your bank card and that's to take money from your account.

This sounds seriously dodgey to me !!

I'm guessing Experian do want this, so that if you decide to stay with them they can charge your card without further ado.

David555

Try noddle or checkmyfile. I had the same problem with Experian and another company messing me around big time. One I registered with, entered all my details and emailed them a copy of my passport and bank statements only for them to email back saying something like sorry we can't provide you with your credit report and suggested trying to get a copy of my report that costs £2, I tried that and again they couldn't confirm who I was! I tried a different company to get the £2 report, exact same problem. Tried once again this time to become a full member with Experian who sent out a letter with a pin, pin arrives, I enter it.. Alls looking good, I enter my card details to prove my address then they ask me some financial questions along the lines of what phone contact I have (none) and whose my mortage with (I don't have one) so I put "other" so some how I failed on those questions.

Feeling really down beat I tried one last time a week later with noddle which worked perfectly straight away! A few days later I tried checkmyfile and they also gave me instant access. They give a 30 day free trail which I'm on but personally going to keep it for a few months while I improve my history then check it a few times a year.

So frustrating how hard it was to get access as I was being refused for everything, even bad credit cards so I knew there was a problem with my history, just unable to even see it! Turned out a very old savings account had bounced direct debit charges from a very old address which were being reported as late payments every month for over 6 years in error.

I know the credit agency's have a responsibly to keep our data safe but when you can't even get access to your own data held about you after supplying more than enough proof something is very wrong! Just glad I decided to try one last time with noddle then checkmyfile. Otherwise I'd never of known about the error and never been able to get any credit.

adindas

David555 wrote: »

....
I know the credit agency's have a responsibly to keep our data safe but when you can't even get access to your own data held about you after supplying more than enough proof something is very wrong! Just glad I decided to try one last time with noddle then checkmyfile. Otherwise I'd never of known about the error and never been able to get any credit.

This is my main argument which I have made from the beginning why I think the CRAs should give free access to people.
- They are using the data about you to make money
- They are recording wrong data from the lenders but you will; need to sort it out instead of them ... When found guilty they do not fine the lender and pass it to the victim ...
- They make mistake in recording the data, nothing happen and you are busy to chase them, correcting it. They do not pay for your time

This thing could only happen because
- Collusion between the Lenders and CRAs to make us pay for it ..
- Abuse of power of two powerful sides

Ivah

I've given up trying to get a quick rebate. I have managed to get a credit score from Equifax (predictably very good as I haven't borrowed for years) but can't get anything out of Experian, who say it will never work. But by phoning HMRC I've got the delay for a cheque down from 45 days to 21. It still seems mad that even with a government gateway account and the ability to identify myself to them by phone they can't link my tax account to my bank account to make a quick payment.