Unknown debt default showing on credit record

magyar

It looks close to being sorted - O2 have agreed that this is a fraudulent account and nothing to do with me. They don't seem to know why the link was made but have agreed they'll tell Equifax to remove it.

A question I'd appreciate views on - I've asked them to delete my name and DOB from their records, but they have refused (as have Lowells) on the basis that "we need to keep that information for our records". Since the Data Protection Act says it's illegal to hold incorrect information on someone, surely they have to remove it?

Not exactly a point worth losing sleep over, but I don't like the idea of a company linking my name and DOB to an address I've never lived at.

tenchy

magyar wrote: »

It looks close to being sorted - O2 have agreed that this is a fraudulent account and nothing to do with me. They don't seem to know why the link was made but have agreed they'll tell Equifax to remove it.

A question I'd appreciate views on - I've asked them to delete my name and DOB from their records, but they have refused (as have Lowells) on the basis that "we need to keep that information for our records". Since the Data Protection Act says it's illegal to hold incorrect information on someone, surely they have to remove it?

Not exactly a point worth losing sleep over, but I don't like the idea of a company linking my name and DOB to an address I've never lived at.

Well, you do not have, nor have you had, a relationship with either of these organisations, so why do they need to keep data about you? DP principles state data must be kept no longer than necessary and for specified purposes. Ask them precisely why they need this data about you, and how they propose to use it. Also, take it up with the ICO if you get unsatisfactory answers from them. I'd be particularly concerned about a rogue company like Lowells having this sort of information.

magyar

Thanks, that’s also my view. I would have some sympathy with O2 wanting to keep a record of the name someone used to defraud them. And I would trust them a little more than Lowells, who I’ve already reported to the ICO.

cjmillsnun

Deleted_User wrote: »

No. It's much more likely that they only report to Equifax.

Lowell report to all three CRAs

PaulW922

Lowells and/or O2 may consider it necessary to keep some information given this may have been fraudulent. For example, if they are later required to account for their actions, or to assist in an investigation, how would they do so if they had deleted all the data?You do not need to actually be a customer for a business to have reasonable grounds to keep data about you.

mpet

Sorry to hijack this thread, but it mirrors what I cam currently going through with Lowell.
My credit report from Noddle shows a defaulted debt listed against Lowell but the debt actually originated from Jacamo. My name and dob are correct, but the address is one I have never lived at. Lowell have stated they wont pursue me for the debt (big of them), but wont update my credit file. I have written to Jacamo asking them to correct this and am waiting for a response.

If I need to contact the ICO should I be complaining about Jacamo or Lowell?

sourcrates

mpet wrote: »

Sorry to hijack this thread, but it mirrors what I cam currently going through with Lowell.
My credit report from Noddle shows a defaulted debt listed against Lowell but the debt actually originated from Jacamo. My name and dob are correct, but the address is one I have never lived at. Lowell have stated they wont pursue me for the debt (big of them), but wont update my credit file. I have written to Jacamo asking them to correct this and am waiting for a response.

If I need to contact the ICO should I be complaining about Jacamo or Lowell?

You would CC both companies into the complaint so both of them are aware of the dispute.

Send a written complaint, give them 8 weeks to respond..

mpet

sourcrates wrote: »

You would CC both companies into the complaint so both of them are aware of the dispute.

Send a written complaint, give them 8 weeks to respond..

Thank you - I have had a response from Lowell and am now waiting for a response from Jacamo. If I need to complain to the ICO, the form only allow for one organisation so I wasn't sure who ultimately would be responsible for removing the incorrect information from my credit file.

sourcrates

mpet wrote: »

Thank you - I have had a response from Lowell and am now waiting for a response from Jacamo. If I need to complain to the ICO, the form only allow for one organisation so I wasn't sure who ultimately would be responsible for removing the incorrect information from my credit file.

Whoever issued the original default is the one to complain to (for ICO purposes).

magyar

How are you getting on mpet? I have had absolutely no joy. O2 have accepted this is nothing to do with me and said it would be removed, but appear completely incompetent at being able to actually remove it. Equifax have actually been very helpful, they've assigned a 'real person' to it who tells me that all O2 need to do is reply to an email she's sent and this is completely beyond them.

O2 seem to think they have no liability because this is a 'data leak' by another company. Aside from not having any evidence of this whatsoever, the only 'data' they have is my name and date of birth, which I have tried to point out to them is public information on the electoral role. It's them making a link between the 'real' me and a 'fake' me which is the issue.