linked address over 6 years old info

smithja

Sorry, that is what I meant "this is 6 years after the date it was last updated", the date a default or a ccj is last updated is the date it is entered. So 6 years after the entry date, it will come off of the file. If you have a credit account opened 10 years ago that is reporting and it was closed 15/06/2002, whether it was positive or negative data it will drop off tomorrow.

James

Edit, sorry I was wrong, a default, ccj can be marked settled but it was the original posting date that is used to decide when it falls off. My point is a six year rule applies, so any previous address where you lived 10 years ago cannot hold data that is more than 6 years old, so the CRA should have no problem removing any data if that is the issue.

izools

Yeah Experian are like that. They are very thorough with linking addresses; there's no running away from bad credit at another address with experian!

Equifax, however, only link one address back unless you specifically specify old address(es) on credit application forms.

The only way to "side step" experian is to move, dont' transfer any accounts atall to your new address, and open up all new accounts claiming you've lived there for atleast six years.

But you should never do that, because that's fraud :A

ALIBOBSY

I read an interesting thread about the "six year rule" on another forum I go on. In fact the limit for keeping information isn't a set date. The credit act talks about keeping information for a relavent period. You could argue this would only be for the life of the contract ie. the length of time until the bill is paid off.

The six years comes from the six year rule relating to court claims for debts and the banks/credit ref agencies have jumped on this as being reasonable. I know people on the other forum are challenging this, but the commisioner seems to have no teeth and just always accepts the banks/cra word. Some have taken this to court, and some have won, but it would be up to each judge.

I would say if no current accounts/debt you have that are live now started at that listed address surely it is no longer relavent. You could complain to experion about this and pursue to the commisioner, but remember the cra is in the back pocket of the banks and indeed the debt collection agencies so they are likely to be awkward.

ali x

jonnyb

several answers on the Experian website :

I never lived at one of the addresses shown. Can it be removed?


A link may appear on your report because you have had a financial connection with that address although you may never have lived there. If you have not had any connection with an address that is listed, contact us and we will contact the company that gave us the information and delete the link if appropriate.

How are address links created?


A link is created when a lender changes the address on a credit account or when they receive a credit application that includes more than one address. Links can also be created as a result of information you give us.

TheAnalyst

ALIBOBSY wrote: »

I read an interesting thread about the "six year rule" on another forum I go on. In fact the limit for keeping information isn't a set date. The credit act talks about keeping information for a relavent period. You could argue this would only be for the life of the contract ie. the length of time until the bill is paid off.

The six years comes from the six year rule relating to court claims for debts and the banks/credit ref agencies have jumped on this as being reasonable. I know people on the other forum are challenging this, but the commisioner seems to have no teeth and just always accepts the banks/cra word. Some have taken this to court, and some have won, but it would be up to each judge.

While that's on the right track's it's not 100% accurate.

The 6 year rule was devised back in the day following the trend of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 where minor criminal offences are discharged and no longer have to be admitted on application forms etc after 6 years!

Information_Commisioners_Office wrote:

The CRAs had reached an agreement with the OFT some years ago that data be held for 6 years. This agreement was based upon the principle of the rehabilitation of offenders for minor offences - After 6 years the slate should be wiped

Interesting that they draw a parallel between a civil debt and a criminal offence, making the 6 years retention of data the modern equivalent of a Victorian debtor's prison :mad:

smithja

So have you concluded my advise was accurate and went back to Experian to have anything over 6 years removed?

TheAnalyst

smithja wrote: »

So have you concluded my advise was accurate and went back to Experian to have anything over 6 years removed?

As much as I would like it to be your advice is far from accurate.

Firstly, there is no law or legislation that states data can only be retained for 6 years, there should be but there is not. The 6 year rule stemmed from a few letters passed many years ago between the Information Commissioners Office, Credit Agencies and the OFT who basically said "well 6 years seems like a reasonable time as that's what we do with minor offenders"

This idea that 6 years is reasonable has also been referred to in a document called Crowther Report on Consumer Credit in 1971 that expressed support for a statutory limit and suggested that a period of six years should be adopted.

There has been much discussion on the matter on the Consumer Action Group forums and specifically this thread

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/data-protection-default-issues/129437-information-commissioners-office-six.html

If there is no law or legislation which states how long a CRA can hold information for then the real question is wether they should be holding it at all. Regardless, they have been and probably will continue to do so for a long time or until someone takes them to court to question their right's... after all they are just regular "for-profit" LTD companies.

So the bottom line for now is that if Experian say that they hold linked address information indefinately and stick to that then there's very little you can do about it.

I however think I can get them on another angle, I have it in writing from one of their employees that they retain linked addresses for 8 years from the date of information, this may be an employee slip up but it's there in black and white, i have already replied to them so will update as and when.

Was there anything else you would like clarification on?


Thanks.

smithja

Nope

but I would like to go back to the original query

sa1 wrote: »

Hi All

Experian reord shows linked address which is over 6 years old , how do i and can i get it removed please and how long do linked address stay on experian for

thanks

I was trying to explain that it is the policy of company's to only hold data for 6 years after an account is closed, or after a default, ccj, bankrupty etc is entered. Therefore, there is no need to have an address in itself removed because you lived there over 6 years ago as all of the data should have been removed in accordance with the policies and practices the CRA's have.

I dont disagree on anything you have said other than that I was supplying inaccurate information. From a pedantic point you could take it there, but what use is it to someone who simply wants a clean credit file as opposed to an education in the histroy of law.

You also dont need addresses 8 years ago removed from your file there should be no data attached to them which is greater than 6 years old other than the length of time you lived there (or were financially associated with the address), and therefore no data which can be removed unless the CRA's or one of their clients have made an error. You have elucidated to this in your replies gathering evidence from a number of sources.

However, I shall in future be more careful with my must's and should's as in the sentence, "But again all data that is older than 6 years (other than length of time at address) and adverse or positive over 6 years must be deleted such as account records, court judgements etc (this is 6 years after the date it was last updated)", which I can only conclude is the basis on which you state I have provided inaccurate information.

James

TheAnalyst

You conclude wrong James

The OP asked if they could have the linked addresses removed from their file. You replied stating that they could and just need to ask the CRA. I replied explaining that this is not actually the case but apparently you don't much like being told you are incorrect.....

smithja wrote: »

I would suggest you go back to Experian and tell them their own job.

smithja wrote: »

So have you concluded my advise was accurate and went back to Experian to have anything over 6 years removed?

When I point out why you are incorrect (because you obviously don't think you are) I'm being pedantic? :rotfl:

This is getting boring, let's get this thread back on topic.

.

smithja

It is still on topic.

Hopefully the OP will get back to us and confirm why he or she wishes the address removed. I was taking a broader view that there must be a good reason for it and with respect to credit this is usually that adverse information is recorded there, however, since there should be none there is no point having the address itself removed (as per your own case)

With regard to Experian not doing their job properly, I do not beleive they could possibly benefit from having a linked address on their server and it has been over 6 years since the applicant was associated with it, when they have a policy of dropping information over 6 years old. It makes no sense in this context.

I have no problem being told I am incorrect.