Wrong Date of Birth on Credit Report?

handers1

Hi everyone.

I recently discovered that my date of birth was entered incorrectly when I opened my first UK bank account 5 years ago. No idea how since I had to bring in a passport, letter from my university, etc. with me to open it.

Anyway, my bank has corrected my DOB on my current account, but it seems that the incorrect DOB is linked to my name and address in my credit history. If I try to check my credit score online on any of the main sites, they can't verify my identity when I put in my correct DOB. I would like to apply for a credit card, but cannot since I (and my bank) can't get a credit report for me when using my real DOB.

How can I fix this? I tried calling Equifax, but they wouldn't help me as I don't have an account with them. I also asked my bank if they could contact Equifax on my behalf to update my details, but they said that's also not possible.

Any suggestions? Will it eventually update automatically now that my bank has amended my account details? Or do I have to shell out for an account with the main credit reference companies in order to get them to change my details?

PixelPound

Getting accounts with the CRA's won't help, they will only update stuff the companies tell them. It might be worth making an official complaint so that you can then take it to the ombudsmen.

The reason why is, different DOB's can show on CRA's but its usually for things like communications and mail order accounts where the person inputting it could have misheard or misread it. Such as bank accounts and loans need identity checks so should be correct.

handers1

Thanks, I understand what you mean about the accounts. However, since they can't verify my identity due to the incorrect DOB being the only one supplied to them so far, I'm not sure how I can go about filing a complaint. Or do you mean make a complaint about my bank?

I know there are some Experian reps on the forum...I don't suppose any of them know how I can get this issue resolved with Experian?

DCFC79

Do an official complaint.

Your not checking your credit score but your history which is what lenders see, the score is only seen by you.

handers1

Hi DCFC79,

At the moment, I can't see either my score or my history, and neither can lenders, since none of the CRAs can verify my identity due to my bank giving them an incorrect date of birth.

Do you mean an official complaint with each CRA or with my bank? How do I file a complaint with a CRA if they can't verify who I am/find my report?

PixelPound

Would have to be the bank, as the CRA's only use the data given to them, they won't correct your DOB. Have you clarified with the bank why they are not reporting it. They should report it to one CRA at least, they might use experian rather than equifax. Once its correct on one, it will cascade to others, just takes time.

handers1

Thanks so much, nic_c, for clarifying. I've only just learned how all of this works in the last few days since learning there was a problem.

It was a banker in branch who said the bank couldn't contact the CRAs directly to correct something. I'll file a complaint with customer service instead to see if they are more responsive and keep a paper trail in case it should need to go to an ombudsman. Thank you so much for the advice.

fermi

handers1 wrote: »

It was a banker in branch who said the bank couldn't contact the CRAs directly to correct something.

They were talking utter nonsense.