Invisible Markers on Credit File

hwd96

Hi all,

Myself and my other half have had an offer accepted on our dream first home!

Our broker applied to Halifax and it was denied based on credit score.
We both have good credit scores and no negative markers on either 3 of our reports.

Nonetheless, our broker put us forward to Saffron BS and they also declined and told us that there was a marker for an unpaid utilities bill on my partners record.

But there is nothing on any of the reports to show this!

A: How do we find out what the root cause is?
B: How do we go about rectifying this?
C: Why is there information out there that isn't stated on the report?

Desperate for help as we will likely loose the house if we don't get it sorted out soon!

[Deleted User]

If you've checked your three files then they've either made an error or it's something on CIFAS.

The former seems more likely.

Get your broker to go back with your credit files. He should be sorting this for you.

hwd96

Thank you zx81, I will get my broker do do so!

blatchp

Hi, it's not impossible this 'bad' data is attached to your partners credit file by way of a linked address. You need to make sure when applying for the credit file that you ensure all the addresses are included (can't recall if it's six years worth now). If you miss the address then you'll probably only get a credit file report that reflects the addresses you've told them.

hwd96

Hi Blatchp,

From what I recall, the online reports only asked for current address and how long you'd been there, but when the report was populated, it included previous addresses?

Ben8282

'Marker' for an unpaid utility bill is a very strange way of expressing this. There are no such markers; they don't exist. What would appear would be an account showing payments as late or, more likely, a defaulted account or, worst case scenario, a ccj.
Have you asked your partner if they can recall anything which may explain this?
Have you checked all three of your partner's credit reports from the 3 CRA's?
An forget about your meaningless credit scores

hwd96

Hi all,

We think we have sussed it!
My partner previously had an account with Spark Energy. It now transpires that there were two accounts. One of which has been confirmed as closed and another that she was contacted by a 3rd party for payment (a matter that was later resolved). We believe the issue to be that Spark haven't closed down the disputed account on their side and hence leaving some kind of trace against her name (against a student address not listed on the report).

We are calling Spark tomorrow to try and resolve.

hwd96

Update:

Have spoken to Experian and they have been able to add another address to the report and bingo! Its Spark Energy.

Experian advised £11 is owed on the account.
We have subsequently contacted Spark and they have advised that all accounts are settled.
We are now trying to get Spark to contact the credit agencies and advise that the £11 entry is incorrect so it can be removed and we can get approved for a mortgage!

Anyone had any dealings with similar situations?

[Deleted User]

hwd96 wrote: »

Anyone had any dealings with similar situations?

Lots of people but that's not important right now.

Just stay on top of getting it removed.

Nasqueron

You might not get anywhere but a complaint to Spark, assuming they made the error and not Experian, about this and how it's caused a mortgage decline might get you a bit of compensation and more importantly, a kick up the butt for Spark for doing their job badly.

[Deleted User]

Nasqueron wrote: »

You might not get anywhere but a complaint to Spark, assuming they made the error and not Experian, about this and how it's caused a mortgage decline might get you a bit of compensation and more importantly, a kick up the butt for Spark for doing their job badly.

Tell them you're consulting a solicitor.


There is something fundamentally wrong with the system of credit reporting if this sort of thing can happen.