Ensuring details are correct

manolo84

Hi,

I have recently had a host of issues with Equifax that it has taken hours and months to sort out. I applied for a mortgage and discovered there was incorrect data showing missed payments on a previous loan agreement. There were no missed payments. It has taken months for the finance company to sort it out. 

However more concerning was that all agreement me I have ever held were showing on my husbands report (including bank accounts) and all his on mine. We have never held joint financial products and all details were unredacted so I could see his full details, finance company, loan amount, payment details etc etc. Apparently “this happens” according to Equifax! How this is not deemed an instant breach of DPA I don’t understand. It took weeks for them to even take me seriously and just kept fobbing me off initially. 

I find it bizarre that in a time when we were basically reliant on these searches to get any kind of credit, realistically the only way to find out if the information they hold on you is correct is to pay. Not just that, but there are 3 different organisations that effectively you would need to pay to be sure. To be fair Experian weren’t nearly as shambolic. 

Anyone else experienced similar? 

eskbanker

manolo84 said:

Apparently “this happens” according to Equifax! How this is not deemed an instant breach of DPA I don’t understand.

It is a breach of DPA, but that doesn't stop it from happening - obviously any organisations processing personal data are required to have robust processes, etc, but mistakes still can and do happen, for a variety of reasons.

manolo84 said:

I find it bizarre that in a time when we were basically reliant on these searches to get any kind of credit, realistically the only way to find out if the information they hold on you is correct is to pay. Not just that, but there are 3 different organisations that effectively you would need to pay to be sure. 

No need to pay:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/check-free-credit-report/

manolo84

Thanks for your reply. From what I can see what you get on the free option (I have already had a free trial) you only get very basic information and the only way to check if all information is actually correct is to pay? 

manolo84

So once your trial is over, to continue checking you have to pay. I am looking to check the actual report rather than just get a score which seems to be a bit of a finger in the air exercise really 

Nasqueron

manolo84 said:

So once your trial is over, to continue checking you have to pay. I am looking to check the actual report rather than just get a score which seems to be a bit of a finger in the air exercise really 

You can get your statutory report free, you don't need to subscribe to them. You can also see your file on ClearScore for Equifax which gives you basically all you need and will send alerts if there are searches of interest like an eligibility check or an application