Post bankruptcy credit issue

volvoshed

Hi all - I'm turning to the forum having read it for years, noticed excellent advice - yet never had need to ask for help.

Until now -

I'll keep it short - as it may be a simple answer, but can provide more details if needed.

I went into bankruptcy last year. Joint account with my wife. I struggle with the aftereffects, badly - but I'm looking for advice for my wife.

She did all the right things - she spoke with the bank regarding the joint account. She took a small loan to repay the overdraft. She went into the branch, and the staff member told her everything was cancelled in terms of DD's etc.Her credit score was immaculate.

We knew that there would likely be a knock on to her score owing to the joint account.

The account was frozen on April 12th, when the bank was informed of the bankruptcy.

The next day, the bank paid out a sum of £25 to a monthly subscription - despite the account being frozen and there being no money available, in it.

When informed of this - my wife immediately went to the branch, imagining it an oversight. There was then a struggle by the staff to find a way to access the frozen account to allow her to pay the £25 arrears.

Finally, it was done.

She then found that her credit score has a default for the £25 on it.

She spoke with the bank who said it was unable to remove the default, even though it clearly should not have happened.

Equifax refused to remove it - saying the bank had to do it.

After many letters to and from the bank - they upheld that they ought not to have paid it out, and gave compensation for the stress she has been living under.

The default remained.

Last week, after more calls - and almost a year of back and forth, she was told a letter had been sent from the bank, saying the default was removed, in June! With no letter having BEEN received, she asked for and received a new copy from the bank.

She then spoke again to equifax, who asked her to upload this supporting evidence. She did.

This morning, she received an email from equifax saying:

"...We've received a response to your query under case *********. The company we raised your dispute with have confirmed that the data is correct and no change will be made to the information. The information on your credit report belongs to the data provider and we cannot change it without their authorisation. This case has been marked as resolved. You can see the details of this case by logging in to your Equifax Online Help account and going to My Cases."

If anyone can advise - or has been down a similar road - I would be most grateful. She's a strong woman, and seeing her slowly sinking, and knowing it is MY fault, is heartbreaking.

Should she simply contact the FSO at this stage?

Many thanks in advance!

fatbelly

Yes that appears to be a final response. Refer to the FOS


If the FOS say it is not in their remit, then it would fall under the ICO

volvoshed

Thank you. Appreciated

Nasqueron

Equifax are also correct, they cannot change it as it's information provided by the lender else everyone would demand stuff be removed

MEM62

Why did you not close the joint account before your bankruptcy?  If you are declaring bankruptcy, your wife will be negatively impacted by any joint financial products you hold with her.