Someone else's information on my credit reports

tom_bombadil

Hello,

I could use a little help.

Cabot Finance set me a couple of letters saying they own my Capital One card and that I owe them money but I have never had a Capital One card. So I rang them up and tried to sort it out but I didn't want to give out my date of birth and now they have added a default to my credit report and 10 addresses have been linked to me. I have sent them a letter that's a reworded version of the prove it letter and I have asked them to remove the information they have added.

The problem that I have is that I have looked at all my credit reports and TransUnion and Equifax both show a lot of debts, accounts and searches from someone with a very similar name and the same DOB. I am a little concerned that the other person on my credit report could access my details and open accounts in my name. Should I be concerned and is there anything more I can do here?

Thanks

[Deleted User]

Complain to the CRAs 
If they don't sort it, complain to the ICO
They can't access your details but it might be necessary to add some sort of temporary marker to stop them being added

tom_bombadil

I tried complaining to Experian but they contacted Cabot Finance and said the information they added is correct. I'll have to complain a bit louder and yeah complain to the ICO. It's not only incorrect and effecting my credit rating, it's a breach of the data protection act. I shouldn't be seeing someone else's details.

I'll get on to the CRAs in the next few days while I wait for Cabot Finance to do something and then report them if they won't do anything. The main concern here was if my data is at risk and more debts appearing in my name. I've been stressing about this for a few days and if the only big issue is a low credit rating then I can take my time and be patient. 

Thanks for the response.

Dellgrad12

To clarify, were you familiar with your credit reports before checking for this data? I.e did the accounts only get added after speaking to Cabot? Or could they have been there for years?

I ask because data is appended to your file based on a combination of name, address and DOB so if this is historical data at your address, with your DOB but with a slightly different name this could well be identify fraud and someone has used your details to open these accounts.

tom_bombadil

Thanks.

I can only say about Experian via the MSE credit club. I have checked it before and there was no defaults or extra addresses on there. They sent a letter out in January, I rang them after that one, then they sent out a second letter in February and then at the end of February the default appeared. It does seem like it appeared after talking to Cabot.

Yeah identity theft was a concern as well. So far as I can see there is only one account which has my address on it. All the other are for addresses that have been linked to my account. There is also only 3 searches using my address and I think was me. I tried to apply for an argos card but changed my mind.

Edit: It is possible that the extra information from this other person could have been on TransUnion or Equifax for a while, I have a look into that more closely. Also the electoral register information on TransUnion is incorrect and shows this other persons name.

[Deleted User]

tom_bombadil said:

I tried complaining to Experian but they contacted Cabot Finance and said the information they added is correct. I'll have to complain a bit louder and yeah complain to the ICO. It's not only incorrect and effecting my credit rating, it's a breach of the data protection act. I shouldn't be seeing someone else's details.

I'll get on to the CRAs in the next few days while I wait for Cabot Finance to do something and then report them if they won't do anything. The main concern here was if my data is at risk and more debts appearing in my name. I've been stressing about this for a few days and if the only big issue is a low credit rating then I can take my time and be patient. 

Thanks for the response.

You need to formally complain so they can't pass the buck. They are the ones who have added the entries based on false information provided by Cabot, they need to remove it. Ring them back and make it clear you want to raise a complaint, if they keep trying to fob you off, go higher and then write to them, take free proof of posting from the PO and mark the envelope clearly as a complaint. 

tom_bombadil

Deleted_User said:
You need to formally complain so they can't pass the buck. They are the ones who have added the entries based on false information provided by Cabot, they need to remove it. Ring them back and make it clear you want to raise a complaint, if they keep trying to fob you off, go higher and then write to them, take free proof of posting from the PO and mark the envelope clearly as a complaint. 

It sounds like a written complaint may be the way to go. I have already contacted them by email and they refused remove it (this is Experian). I also mentioned the data protection act which they seemed to ignore. I haven't talked to the other CRAs yet but I will contact them first before sending letters out.