Link Financial

Chrome020

Hello, I've been discussing my credit accounts that Link Financial have for me, I called in relation to my discharge from bankruptcy and asked for information on their data controller to update the accounts on my report.

I was flabbergasted when they told me it stays as default which is correct, but they told me the balance stays until the default runs the 6 year course and they just don't ask for any money... I know that's incorrect for them to say that, has anyone any advice

Chrome020

https://ico.org.uk/ESDWebPages/Entry/Z2016543
Is anyone able to confirm if this is the correct Information for them? The ico website lists a few Link Financial companies.
Also if I send a letter direct to their data controller, how should I proceed? They have 5 accounts for me would I need to do 5 separate letters?

sourcrates

Any qualifying debt vested in your bankruptcy, on discharge, should show as defaulted, with a default date no later than the date you went bankrupt, it should show as a zero balance, and marked in such a way to show the debt is no longer owed, so settled, or satisfied will suffice.

Link are well aware of the rules, one letter, state the five account numbers, refer them to the guidance, ask them to sort it, or you will escalate to the ICO, who have the power to fine firms that are non compliant with guidance.

They have 8 weeks to put things right.

Chrome020

sourcrates said:

Any qualifying debt vested in your bankruptcy, on discharge, should show as defaulted, with a default date no later than the date you went bankrupt, it should show as a zero balance, and marked in such a way to show the debt is no longer owed, so settled, or satisfied will suffice.

Link are well aware of the rules, one letter, state the five account numbers, refer them to the guidance, ask them to sort it, or you will escalate to the ICO, who have the power to fine firms that are non compliant with guidance.

They have 8 weeks to put things right.

Thank you for the detailed reply, I have found a template letter on this forum and on DebtCamel which I will use and send it via recorded delivery.

I was shocked that was the advice from 3 people, call handler then apparently supervisor and manager...

JonVarnas

That;s why you should never speak to debt collectors on the phone...they're full of crap

Chrome020

JonVarnas said:

That;s why you should never speak to debt collectors on the phone...they're full of crap

Haha. I definitely won't consider it for the others that haven't updated my file yet.

Mckenna

Link are absolute rogues, sadly 2 of my accounts are with them. And they have continued to place defaults onto my credit file well beyond my bankruptcy (discharge in 3 months)
they have said they are entitled to do so until discharge which makes no sense as they will have to remove them all back 12 months! 

sourcrates

Mckenna said:

Link are absolute rogues, sadly 2 of my accounts are with them. And they have continued to place defaults onto my credit file well beyond my bankruptcy (discharge in 3 months)
they have said they are entitled to do so until discharge which makes no sense as they will have to remove them all back 12 months! 

They are just monthly status updates of your original default, the original default should be dated pre-bankruptcy, and will stay on file for 6 years.

patternsandshapes

I also have an account with Link Financial, so this is all of interest to me too, thank you for the helpful replies.

My bankruptcy will be coming up to the 12 months end pretty soon and I'm looking at what to do next, specifically checking Credit Reference file clean up. One thing I'm not certain on after reading the sticky thread is when I can do this. Do I need to wait until the 12 month period is fully over before I can start ensuring past creditors have the right status for my accounts, or is this something I can do sooner?

The sticky thread gives a period shorter than 12 months for the example account, so I was a little unsure when I can start this process.

Mckenna

patternsandshapes said:

I also have an account with Link Financial, so this is all of interest to me too, thank you for the helpful replies.

My bankruptcy will be coming up to the 12 months end pretty soon and I'm looking at what to do next, specifically checking Credit Reference file clean up. One thing I'm not certain on after reading the sticky thread is when I can do this. Do I need to wait until the 12 month period is fully over before I can start ensuring past creditors have the right status for my accounts, or is this something I can do sooner?

The sticky thread gives a period shorter than 12 months for the example account, so I was a little unsure when I can start this process.

I have been doing mine before the end of the 12 months, because it takes a little while for the communications and then files to be updated.
and no doubt you’ll encounter some who are difficult to get things done right.

I will say check my file is rather handy, it pulls reports from all 3 credit agencies.

Chrome020

Is there a time I should give for link financial to get back to me? I put 30 days on the letter.  I sent it signed for delivery and haven't heard anything back from them yet, my credit accounts are still the same on my file.