Experian and Equifax can't find me on the system... So have non existent / bad credit rating

kinlrg

Hi all,

I'm a first time poster and asking for advice as I really don't know what to do. The current state of things is none of my credit history is feeding through to either Experian or Equifax including my credit card, current account history and electoral role registration. I have a long history of good credit behaviour that I have only recently realised wasn't being registered when I got refused a credit card application from Amex. I've already been refused a credit card application because of it and I'm really worried about my future when I start applying for mortgages and other big loans.

I've spent months trying to fix it going back and forth between my bank and the 2 credit agencies and nothing has come of it. It's been an extremely stressful and time consuming challenge and the worst part is after dedicating several hours trying to resolve it, I've made absolutely no progress. I have an very unusual name (6 of them to be precise) which may be causing issues but this is just a guess. There are 2 separate situations between Experian and Equifax I'm going to summarise below:

1. Experian
-I have tried to sign up to Experian to see my credit report via the usual channel on their website. It says it can't find anyone with my name / address details. I've tried many different combinations of my name and address.
-I then rang up Experian and explained my situation. I was told that I had to be a customer to ring them up. I explained I COULDN'T become a customer and this was the problem. I was then I believe hung up on twice. Until a third person gave me an email address to contact.
-I sent an email to this address explaining my situation. I then waited 2 weeks and received a generic email that told me to apply via their website. So I'm back to square 1.

2. Equifax
-Equifax also couldn't find me on the system, but I was able to send through a copy of my passport and bank statement to verify who I was. This means I do have an account with them. HOWEVER hardly any of my actual credit history is on there, including a long standing credit card and current account usage with my bank, and the fact I am registered to vote.
- I have had many conversations with both my bank and Equifax about this. Equifax often blames my bank however I now have confirmation that my bank has definitely been sending through my credit information. So therefore I know my information is going through to them. It just isn't being put on my Credit Report. I have explained this many times to Equifax, but no one I speak to seems to know what to do, or they repeat themselves and blame my bank.

If there's anyone with any advice or been through a similar situation I'd really appreciate hearing from you. I've already been refused a credit card application because of it and I'm really worried about my future when I start applying for mortgages and other big loans.

Thanks for reading,

R

Candyapple

kinlrg wrote: »

I have an very unusual name (6 of them to be precise) which may be causing issues but this is just a guess.

Let's assume your name was Roger John Alan Matthew Luke Scott Williams - have you actually just tried applying for your credit file in just the name Roger Williams?

I suspect it is the 6 names that is causing you problems. When you apply for credit, most lenders will only ask if you have a middle name as in 1, not 5.

Do you live in a flat or a house?

What you need to do is write to every single lender who you have an account with (bank, credit card, mobile supplier etc) and ask them to confirm to you in writing that your account is being reported to the credit reference agencies. You will also need a letter from the council confirming your electoral roll registration too. Then write to Equifax/Experian/TransUnion and attach copies of all letters along with a photocopy of your passport or driving licence and ask them to update their records.

If you are still having trouble after this, you may want to contact your local MP and see if they can help.

tamagotchi

I have been trying for credit report from Experian but it will not accept my Spanish address.
Any help out there would be welcome

[Deleted User]

tamagotchi wrote: »

I have been trying for credit report from Experian but it will not accept my Spanish address.
Any help out there would be welcome

Because you need a UK address..... :money:

PRAISETHESUN

Not every lender will report to every CRA so it is quite possible that your accounts are simply not being reported to Experian or Equifax. There isn't really much you can do if this is the case. Getting confirmation from your bank (in writing) that they are reporting to the CRAs (and to which CRAs) may help, as it will then put the onus on Experian/Equifax to update their records if your bank is reporting to them but then they are not providing you with this information.

The foreign address situation may complicate things, but if you have any evidence of your past UK addresses to help verify your identity then I'd pass them along as well.

MallyGirl

Candyapple wrote: »

Let's assume your name was Roger John Alan Matthew Luke Scott Williams - have you actually just tried applying for your credit file in just the name Roger Williams?

I suspect it is the 6 names that is causing you problems. When you apply for credit, most lenders will only ask if you have a middle name as in 1, not 5.

I think you are right. Computer systems have finite field lengths which mean that very long names can get truncated - if different CRAs have different lengths then they will end up with a different truncated value. There is no industry standard max length for names so each system could be different. Try just first name and surname.

If you do a SAR from each of your financial providers you should at least see how they are storing your name. That might give some clues as to how to proceed.

edgex

MallyGirl wrote: »

I think you are right. Computer systems have finite field lengths which mean that very long names can get truncated - if different CRAs have different lengths then they will end up with a different truncated value. There is no industry standard max length for names so each system could be different. Try just first name and surname.

If you do a SAR from each of your financial providers you should at least see how they are storing your name. That might give some clues as to how to proceed.

They should also then get everything changed to the same name.

JohnMl88

So you have 6 names + 2 surnames, did you try experian with your “first” name and 2 surnames?