Warning for Credit Expert users

Jezbenbow

Myself and the missus took up Experians 'Credit Expert' Free Credit Report offer about 3 months ago (as recommened on this site). We both registered our details and filled out the on-line information forms and then cancelled our subscription about 3 weeks after signing up so we wouldn't have to pay anything.

I have since recently received in the post pre-approved Credit card application forms from a company called Vanquis Credit made out in the name of our 7 month old baby girl.
Gobsmacked, I called Vanquis to ask them why they were sending these application forms to my baby daughter when there is no way in the world she would want a credit card at 7 months of age.
They have since verbally promised to remove her details from their database but have also informed me that they were originally given the information by Experian.

So I have tried to call experian several times this morning to complain. The first 3-4 attempts I was cut-off without warning and when I did get through to an operator I was passed onto three different departments before finally being diverted to somebodies answer machine.

The thing is, Me and the missus have both always been very very careful to tick the "third party" exemption boxes on all applications form that we fill out and of course we haven't recieved a single letter from Vanquis in our names. Just the baby.

This leads me to believe that Experian may be passing on the information of our children regardless of whether or not you tick the "third party" box.
If the application form is in your name but you then fill in your childrens details, their details are still being passed onto these third party credit companies regardless.

I've sent Equifax 'Credit Expert' an email asking them to contact me to explain why this has happened and as yet have not received a response.

I'm just wondering if there is anything else I can do to make sure that her details are removed from their database. I dont know how many third party companies already have this information and I am very concerned that her identity may now be at risk.
The Credit Card applications she has received only required a signature and brief details about income. We are hoping to move house later this year which means the next occupier may recieve mail in her name.

I am well and truly "cheesed off" about the whole thing and the more I think about it the more it annoys me. :mad:

Sorry for ranting but thanks for reading. I suppose I just wanted to warn other people about what has happened.

JEZ

jimbo26

How would Experian know your daughters name? I took advantage of the free trial and don't recall filling in my kids names anywhere.

Jezbenbow

jimbo26 wrote: »

How would Experian know your daughters name? I took advantage of the free trial and don't recall filling in my kids names anywhere.

Absolutely no idea. The missus has said that she had to ring-up experian during her trial to speak to an operator because they had some of her information wrong and she had to ring up to have it corrected.
I guess it may be possible that she may have mentioned it over the phone but she says she can't recall doing so.

Vanquis Credit have told me that Experian is their one and only source for this type of information and the fact remains my 7 month old is getting credit card applications sent to her in her name.

Jezbenbow

Just had another look at the Experian online subscription and you are quite right about the family details thing. After looking through it again it would appear that I couldn't have filled in my daughters details after all. My mistake.
But it still leaves a question unanswered. How is it possible that Experian could hold the credit history or any other type of information for a 7 month old baby??

The missus still swears that she wouldn't have given our daughters personal details over the phone and so I am completely at a loss as to how they have got hold of her details in the first place??

Could it be that Vanquis Credit have told me porkies? I am going to get to the bottom of this if it kills me.

nomoneytoday

What would happen if the form was filled in?
After all, they can't take a 7 month old child to court!!

sofa_surfer

Good luck with your quest - keep us posted.
Could it be that it has to do with Just-rewards.co.uk from Experian?
(BTW you speak about Experian but then say Equifax - 'typo' I guess?)

Clariman

Hi

Experian offer various services to lenders and these include (a)providing credit reference checks and (b) providing customers lists and information that lenders can use for targetted marketing. Experian assure me that these two services are totally separate and that no information from the credit check side if the business is accessible to the other. It is quite possible that Vanquis got your name on a marketing list from Experian but the source was not your creditexpert information.

Clariman

jimbo26

I think it is more likely that Vanquis are telling 'porky pies' Surely Experian would sell the details of the adults?

Scousebird_2

I have suscribed to experian and I have had pre-approved invites for Vanquis too-but if you read the APR-it's a joke. Thing is-i'm perfectly creditworthy-so I find it quite offensive for a company to send me a letter saying it can build up my credit history (when to be quite frank-I don't need reminding about the state of my credit-I have planty thanks, controllable, but plenty)!
I think they just look at your age and assume! Not nice!

sofa_surfer

From a link in an e-mail sent by Just-Rewards:
PRIVACY STATEMENT

About this Statement
This Privacy Policy sets out how Experian will use the information you have provided, through responding to a Just-Rewards e-mail campaign.

Experian Group Limited is responsible for the processing of any personal information and take the privacy of all customers and website users seriously.

Experian is registered in the United Kingdom under the Data Protection Act. If you have any requests concerning your personal information or any queries about our Privacy Policy, website or service, please contact us.

Email: [EMAIL="TheSurvey.Manager@uk.experian.com"]TheSurvey.Manager@uk.experian.com[/EMAIL].
Web site: www.experiangroup.com
Mail: Consumer Queries, Experian Group Ltd., Embankment House, Electric Avenue, Nottingham, NG80 1EH.

Information collected
Experian Group Limited ("Experian") may use other reputable partners to provide its services. However this will not affect your statutory rights under the Data Protection Act.

Experian may use data collected via Just-Rewards to provide you with the services that you have shown interest in. Examples of these uses are: -

Dealing with your requests and enquiries.

Carrying out customer analysis, marketing research and market intelligence reports.

Providing you with information about products and services offered by Experian and its partners.

Supplying you with services and offers that will be of interest to you from reputable companies.

Disclosure of your personal information
Any information we collect about you will be used and protected by us in accordance with current data protection law and this Privacy Policy.

You may receive communication via email from Experian or its partners, however when communicating with you in this way the names we may use to send you the email may be either Just-Rewards, Consumer Products Survey, Contactmail, TheSurveyPlace.co.uk, Experian or Experian Survey Services.

Amending your details
You can opt out of communication at any time, from Experian or our partners by:

Email - simply follow the instructions provided in the e-mail used to communicate with you.

Post - send a letter requesting to be removed from the Experian database to the Consumer Queries Department, Experian Group Ltd., Embankment House, Electric Avenue, Nottingham, NG80 1EH.

Please note that Experian will act in accordance with the Data Protection Act and remove your details as promptly as possible though you could receive other communication for a short period of time whilst this is being done.

Internet-based transfers
Because we operate throughout the world in providing our goods and services, this may involve us transferring your personal information to countries whose data protection laws do not provide the same level of protection as those in the UK. If we do so, we will keep control.


Clariman's post is very intriguing - the cynic in me can only imagine how fine is the line Experian walks between the two sides of its business:rolleyes:

Jezbenbow

Thanks for the replies.

Still haven't had a reply to my email yet from Experian but I have contact the Consumer Direct via the OFT who have told me to send a letter to Experian by Recorded Delivery and to give them a maximum of 14 days to replay. If they then fail to respond I can take then go back to Consumer Direct and Trading Standards who will advise me further