Equifax missing information and attributing my credit history to someone else's address

H3286

Hi all - new to the message boards so apologies if a similar query has been raised before and also for the length. It's a tricky situation so I need to give the back story! I'll also just add that I've had absolutely no issues with other agencies such as Experian who have all of the information correct.

I've been having an absolute nightmare with Equifax - they basically have no financial history showing on my report, they're not showing me on the electoral roll, they're not showing any previous addresses for me, which has led to a credit score of very poor due to there being no payment history.

I've raised several disputes with them (which they keep just closing without actually resolving!), I've gone via their complaints procedure which was also closed without resolution and I'm at the end of my tether with them. I'll be applying for a mortgage in the near future and I'm concerned if any of the lenders do a credit check through equifax it's going to prevent me from getting approved.

They are basically saying the issue is with the address I have provided to them. They are claiming to have found all of my accounts under another address (one I have never lived at). My postcode does have an annoying issue where there are 2 sets of separate flat blocks in my road, both with the same numbering system so you have double of each number within the same postcode. I'm always very careful when opening accounts or purchasing online to select the correct one as I know this could cause an issue. They are saying that my providers/lenders have told them I live at X flats when I actually live at Y flats. However, I have called my providers and they disagree with equifax and say they have me down on their records as Y flats and would never have given the other address to equifax (I even had the customer service rep of my bank spell the address out to me including all of the spacing just to ensure every single character matched which it did). I've uploaded endless evidence in the form of bank statements, bills, contracts etc from these providers/lenders but no joy.

Equifax are saying that they would have to change it so they have me down as living at X flats which I'm not accepting. Another person lives at that address and I don't want to be linked to them - plus it's false information so in my mind it's not an acceptable resolution which I've told them several times yet they keep pushing for it.

I don't really know what else to do as they aren't backing down and say I need to contact my providers to update their records but when I call my providers they tell me they have everything correct and it's equifax's issue. 

Is this a case I could go to the financial ombudsman with? I'm concerned this could cause me problems further down the line. I have made Equifax include a notice of correction on the report stating that I am disputing the information (or lack of!) so that at least helps in the short term but I want this sorting asap.

Any ideas/advice??

[Deleted User]

Complain to the ICO not the FOS

2021BJ

H3286 said:

Equifax are saying that they would have to change it so they have me down as living at X flats which I'm not accepting. Another person lives at that address and I don't want to be linked to them - plus it's false information so in my mind it's not an acceptable resolution which I've told them several times yet they keep pushing for it.

You're not going to be linked to another person by virtue of having the same address, otherwise you'd be linked to everyone who has ever lived at any address you've ever lived at.

It's a bodge, but frankly a perfectly acceptable workaround.  All they'll do is add the other address as a previous address.  It won't change anything form your perspective at all and will be a lot easier than all the faffing around you're going to cause for really no good reason at all.

Accept the offer and move on.

H3286

2021BJ appreciate you're trying to help but I don't believe asking for my information to be correct constitutes 'faffing around' 'for no good reason at all'. The information is wrong. Plain and Simple. Also, just getting them to change that address won't resolve the electoral roll issue (I didn't go into detail here on that one but they're also claiming they can't access that but I'm also not on the electoral roll for the X flat address either. Just changing address for everything else still leaves me with that issue which is quite a biggy!)

H3286

Deleted_User said:

Complain to the ICO not the FOS

Thanks - I'll look into that

2021BJ

H3286 said:

2021BJ appreciate you're trying to help but I don't believe asking for my information to be correct constitutes 'faffing around' 'for no good reason at all'. The information is wrong. Plain and Simple. Also, just getting them to change that address won't resolve the electoral roll issue (I didn't go into detail here on that one but they're also claiming they can't access that but I'm also not on the electoral roll for the X flat address either. Just changing address for everything else still leaves me with that issue which is quite a biggy!)

You can make a rod for your own back but it's utterly pointless and serves no purpose at all.  They've offered to fix this, let them fix it.  How they do it is of no consequence if it has no effect on you (it will not.)

When you get a bit older you'll perhaps understand that there are battles you should fight, and some you should not.  Being pedantic over every little inconsistency and trying to make everything perfect is a complete waste of your time.  This is one of those battles that you should leave well alone.

I'll also add that just because you can't see your data doesn't mean lenders cannot.  Their access is a lot less restrictive than yours, so more often than not these inconsistencies will make zero difference to your ability to obtain credit as they'll be able to see everything as normal.  But Equifax has offered to fix this anyway so it will be a non-issue.  Dollars to donuts their fix will resolve your ER issue too.

H3286

2021BJ said:

H3286 said:

2021BJ appreciate you're trying to help but I don't believe asking for my information to be correct constitutes 'faffing around' 'for no good reason at all'. The information is wrong. Plain and Simple. Also, just getting them to change that address won't resolve the electoral roll issue (I didn't go into detail here on that one but they're also claiming they can't access that but I'm also not on the electoral roll for the X flat address either. Just changing address for everything else still leaves me with that issue which is quite a biggy!)

You can make a rod for your own back but it's utterly pointless and serves no purpose at all.  They've offered to fix this, let them fix it.  How they do it is of no consequence if it has no effect on you (it will not.)

When you get a bit older you'll perhaps understand that there are battles you should fight, and some you should not.  Being pedantic over every little inconsistency and trying to make everything perfect is a complete waste of your time.  This is one of those battles that you should leave well alone.

I'll also add that just because you can't see your data doesn't mean lenders cannot.  Their access is a lot less restrictive than yours, so more often than not these inconsistencies will make zero difference to your ability to obtain credit as they'll be able to see everything as normal.  But Equifax has offered to fix this anyway so it will be a non-issue.  Dollars to donuts their fix will resolve your ER issue too.

When I get a bit older??! Wow, that's presumptive of you. And condescending. You have no idea how old I am - unless you secretly work for Equifax?! 

Look, I get your point about choosing battles but when you say 'Equifax has offered to fix this' I 100% disagree with that. They've chosen a cop out. Changing me to an address I don't live at, have never lived at and will never live at won't solve it in my book. I take on board your earlier comment about how I won't be linked with the people there as I appreciate it is rare (although I'm still reserving judgement on that one seeing as that did actually once happen to me and I had a link to someone I'd never met before through an old address which showed up on an Experian report), however it's still not right. Doesn't solve the electoral roll issue either. The other agencies like Experian and Transunion have had no issues so I'm baffled as to why Equifax can't just get this right.

Right, you've said your piece and I've said mine so thanks but no thanks - we're not going to see eye to eye on this.

2021BJ

H3286 said:

2021BJ said:

H3286 said:

2021BJ appreciate you're trying to help but I don't believe asking for my information to be correct constitutes 'faffing around' 'for no good reason at all'. The information is wrong. Plain and Simple. Also, just getting them to change that address won't resolve the electoral roll issue (I didn't go into detail here on that one but they're also claiming they can't access that but I'm also not on the electoral roll for the X flat address either. Just changing address for everything else still leaves me with that issue which is quite a biggy!)

You can make a rod for your own back but it's utterly pointless and serves no purpose at all.  They've offered to fix this, let them fix it.  How they do it is of no consequence if it has no effect on you (it will not.)

When you get a bit older you'll perhaps understand that there are battles you should fight, and some you should not.  Being pedantic over every little inconsistency and trying to make everything perfect is a complete waste of your time.  This is one of those battles that you should leave well alone.

I'll also add that just because you can't see your data doesn't mean lenders cannot.  Their access is a lot less restrictive than yours, so more often than not these inconsistencies will make zero difference to your ability to obtain credit as they'll be able to see everything as normal.  But Equifax has offered to fix this anyway so it will be a non-issue.  Dollars to donuts their fix will resolve your ER issue too.

When I get a bit older??! Wow, that's presumptive of you. And condescending. You have no idea how old I am - unless you secretly work for Equifax?! 

Look, I get your point about choosing battles but when you say 'Equifax has offered to fix this' I 100% disagree with that. They've chosen a cop out. Changing me to an address I don't live at, have never lived at and will never live at won't solve it in my book. I take on board your earlier comment about how I won't be linked with the people there as I appreciate it is rare (although I'm still reserving judgement on that one seeing as that did actually once happen to me and I had a link to someone I'd never met before through an old address which showed up on an Experian report), however it's still not right. Doesn't solve the electoral roll issue either. The other agencies like Experian and Transunion have had no issues so I'm baffled as to why Equifax can't just get this right.

Right, you've said your piece and I've said mine so thanks but no thanks - we're not going to see eye to eye on this.

You say you've taken things on board but in reality, you've done nothing of the sort.

It's your life to fritter away fighting pointless battles like this, not mine, so have at it.

H3286

2021BJ said:

H3286 said:

2021BJ said:

H3286 said:

2021BJ appreciate you're trying to help but I don't believe asking for my information to be correct constitutes 'faffing around' 'for no good reason at all'. The information is wrong. Plain and Simple. Also, just getting them to change that address won't resolve the electoral roll issue (I didn't go into detail here on that one but they're also claiming they can't access that but I'm also not on the electoral roll for the X flat address either. Just changing address for everything else still leaves me with that issue which is quite a biggy!)

You can make a rod for your own back but it's utterly pointless and serves no purpose at all.  They've offered to fix this, let them fix it.  How they do it is of no consequence if it has no effect on you (it will not.)

When you get a bit older you'll perhaps understand that there are battles you should fight, and some you should not.  Being pedantic over every little inconsistency and trying to make everything perfect is a complete waste of your time.  This is one of those battles that you should leave well alone.

I'll also add that just because you can't see your data doesn't mean lenders cannot.  Their access is a lot less restrictive than yours, so more often than not these inconsistencies will make zero difference to your ability to obtain credit as they'll be able to see everything as normal.  But Equifax has offered to fix this anyway so it will be a non-issue.  Dollars to donuts their fix will resolve your ER issue too.

When I get a bit older??! Wow, that's presumptive of you. And condescending. You have no idea how old I am - unless you secretly work for Equifax?! 

Look, I get your point about choosing battles but when you say 'Equifax has offered to fix this' I 100% disagree with that. They've chosen a cop out. Changing me to an address I don't live at, have never lived at and will never live at won't solve it in my book. I take on board your earlier comment about how I won't be linked with the people there as I appreciate it is rare (although I'm still reserving judgement on that one seeing as that did actually once happen to me and I had a link to someone I'd never met before through an old address which showed up on an Experian report), however it's still not right. Doesn't solve the electoral roll issue either. The other agencies like Experian and Transunion have had no issues so I'm baffled as to why Equifax can't just get this right.

Right, you've said your piece and I've said mine so thanks but no thanks - we're not going to see eye to eye on this.

You say you've taken things on board but in reality, you've done nothing of the sort.

It's your life to fritter away fighting pointless battles like this, not mine, so have at it.

I don’t think getting my financial situation in order is frittering. What is frittering your life away is spending your time commenting on pretty much every thread on here with comments that are clearly aimed at getting some attention which, from what I can see, is your ‘thing’. Well done you.

goodbye. I’m off to ‘fritter’ my time elsewhere!

[Deleted User]

Per below from ICO
https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/credit/#file

If your credit file is inaccurate, you can raise your concerns with the relevant CRA you obtained your file from. However, the problem may lie with the original lender or organisation that supplied the CRA with the information so you will need to contact them instead.
If you have contacted the CRA and the original lender and there is an obvious inaccuracy which they are unwilling to correct then you may wish to make a complaint to the ICO. Please note that it's not our role to decide on financial disputes.

Link there to the complaint form to get them to look into it. Disagree fully with the previous posts - if Experian and TransUnion can get it right, Equifax should be able to.

H3286

Deleted_User said:

Per below from ICO
https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/credit/#file

If your credit file is inaccurate, you can raise your concerns with the relevant CRA you obtained your file from. However, the problem may lie with the original lender or organisation that supplied the CRA with the information so you will need to contact them instead.
If you have contacted the CRA and the original lender and there is an obvious inaccuracy which they are unwilling to correct then you may wish to make a complaint to the ICO. Please note that it's not our role to decide on financial disputes.

Link there to the complaint form to get them to look into it. Disagree fully with the previous posts - if Experian and TransUnion can get it right, Equifax should be able to.

Thank you - that’s really helpful. Glad you agree that just letting Equifax use false information isn’t right!