Transunion asking for letter from council re Electoral Roll

Humdinger1

Hello everyone 

I may be over-reacting, but something feels a bit off here.

Now in my late 50s and on my 2nd marriage, I've lived most of my professional and financial life using my maiden name, with just 1 bank account in my married name. I use my married name for passports and the electoral roll (ER) as well as socially.  This is perfectly legal in the UK.

Both Experian and Equifax are happy to list my married name as an alias and note that I'm on the ER under that name.  Transunion isn't. It's looking into it but says it will need a letter from my LA confirming how long I've been on the ER for under this name.

Quite apart from the fact that I doubt the LA will be prepared to do this- am yet to check, admittedly- this seems wrong when I have an official document (passport) already issued by the govt in this name. It's possibly to do with the fact that there are 3 separate CRAs in the UK, not one over-arching public body; and that I hear that future govt ID checks are likely to involve Transunion so want to make sure that all my details are up to date everywhere; don't want to borrow money or increase credit card limits. I'm perilously close to getting into who-do-they-think-they-are mode, which is rarely helpful.

Is this a question for the ICO? It's hard to put a finger on my unease apart from feeling that for-profit, private companies appear to be rewriting fundamental rules about establishing identity. An uncomfortable transfer of power.

Thanks in advance for your comments. Humdinger 

[Deleted User]

Is there anything on your TransUnion files in your married name?

If not, then they're obliged to confirm the legitimacy.

They can't rewrite the DPA rules unfortunately. The consequences are too severe so they'll always play it safe.

Humdinger1

@Deleted_User thanks for your very quick reply! Will check.  I think it's their insistence that only a letter from the LA will work is also an irritant as there are plenty of other verifiable options.  

[Deleted User]

See what the LA say. They're often quite helpful, although not always fast.

If they're not, you can escalate a complaint with TransUnion and they'll probably relent and accept other evidence, such as a marriage certificate.

etienneg

Have you actually suggested the alternatives to TransUnion?

Getting worked up about things that can probably be sorted quite easily is not good for you. I used to get irate about what I saw as petty bureaucracy by various organisations, but I've decided life is too short to bother and just go along with them now, even if I think they are making things artificially complicated. So, although I can quite understand what you are saying about the principle, I would avoid fighting TransUnion but just calmly suggest what would be simpler alternatives for you, which they may be willing to accept.

Humdinger1

@etienneg I agree! The note re getting into who do they think they are mode is a memo to self, really; I hoped it might raise a wintry smile for anyone reading what is probably a fairly dry technical question here.  Encouraged by you and @Deleted_User I'm investigating what might be possible.   Thanks for taking the time to comment.