Credit Searches

[freddyj]

Hello,

I realise that credit searches stay on file for 12 months - but how old do they have to be before a company ignores them? I have 5 on my file and all are 10 months old.. I was told that they only look at the last months worth, is this true? Also how many usually do they like you to have - i.e how many is too many?

[old_andrew2007]

Bump

[Dipply75]

Hi Freddyj

i don't think there is any hard and fast rule, each company has their own criteria. Loads of searches around the one time will look bad but again, every company decides differently.

Are all the searches legit, did you authorise each of them?

I will say, make sure they do disappear after the 12 months, the CRA's can 'forget', watch them!

[Allwood]

Equifax keeps searches on reports for 2 years, at least that is how it has been with me. they still have one my report for a year and there is no documents to support why they should have put in on my report. I have sent details to Information Commissioners Office for what good that will do

[freddyj]

yes, the five I have left are legit ones - tried to ge them removed but they wont budge. However, I have got 5 other removed in last 6 months just by asking!! It has happened a lot when I have wrote off and requested it. thanks

[NORNIRONGIRL08]

Equifax say a credit search if it is for outstanding debts stays on for 6 years all other searches for Credit stays on a year

[tifo]

Originally Posted by NORNIRONGIRL08

Equifax say a credit search if it is for outstanding debts stays on for 6 years all other searches for Credit stays on a year

What if the credit search is from a company you don't owe any debt to?

[Allwood]

I have had 2 traces on my Equifax credit report and after asking Equifax on what ground they were put on my report without my knowledge they took one off due to one of their friends/DEA's not replying to their requests for doucments to why they were in my credit report, I got this in writing from Equifax, I wrote back to Equifax about the other trace and they told me in writing that traces will stay on my report of 6 years as of the date it was put there.

[NORNIRONGIRL08]

I have had this same hassle for the past few months and apparently you dont actually need to have any debt with these companies what they are doing is searching your file as you have a name etc that is similar to someone they are looking. I know it is infuriating. As I have said before CNM Data are one company who carry out these searches on behalf of their clients, but as MH/J2 Solutions now have a fully paid account with Equifax they are getting their moneys worth and were searching mine up to 10 times a day. I contacted the Information Commissioners Office and have taken it up with Equifax. There really does need to be a change in the law regards this. I was a victim and yet I cannot get credit.

[Sol]

I've tried sending an email to Equifax and got the standard reply to look at their FAQs first, then, if I don't find an answer, to click on the "submit question" button, but I can't find this anywhere. Does anyone know how to contact them?

[NORNIRONGIRL08]

Sol

If you have an on line account with them you dispute the information. There is a tab there for it

[Sol]

Thanks. I've just realised that it is still open, but have now sent another one.

I am disputing a default on an old account due to the unfair charges and having to wait for the hold to be lifted, is this acceptable?

[NORNIRONGIRL08]

Sol

They will do the usual spole ie We cannot remove any defaulted accounts you need to raise this matter with the original lender blah blah blah

Honest they just not interested

[Allwood]

So if you are not computer literate then you cannot contact these people what about pensioners and young people the ones that are not computer literate do the have to put up with this kind of unethical behaviour from the CRA's

So if you are not computer literate then you cannot contact these people what about pensioners and young people the ones that are not computer literate do the have to put up with this kind of unethical behaviour from the CRA's

Do more people have to commit suicide like a recent case of Beryl Brazier before the government does some thing about organisations letting DCA’s trawl our private data.

I feel it was better back when people were put in prison for non payment of debt at least then you would have it over and done with not having DCA’s harassing and lenders playing mind games with people lives for many, many years.

[NORNIRONGIRL08]

This was response I got from Information Commissioners Office
1st July 2008

Case Reference Number RFA0201865

Dear NI Gril

Thank you for your correspondence dated 15/05/08, regarding organisations performing unauthorised credit searches on you.

Please accept my apologies for the delay in replying to you, our office is currently dealing with large volumes of work. This has meant that we have been unable to deal with incoming correspondence as promptly as we would like.

In most cases, an organisation would need to inform individuals before performing a credit search. This is to comply with the first principle of the Data Protection Act 1998. If you feel that this has not taken place, you should first raise this matter in writing, or by e-mail, with the organisations that performed these searches. Make sure you keep copies of your correspondence.

If you are not satisfied with their response, or do not receive any response, please contact us again.

Please quote the above case reference number in all future correspondence about this matter. Failure to do so may delay the processing of your complaint.

If you would like any further clarification please contact our Helpline on 08456 30 60 60 or 01625 545745 if you would prefer to call a national rate number.

Yours sincerely,

James Cooper
Case Reception Unit
The Information Commissioner's Office

[Sol]

Originally Posted by NORNIRONGIRL08

Sol

They will do the usual spole ie We cannot remove any defaulted accounts you need to raise this matter with the original lender blah blah blah

Honest they just not interested

Yep I just got the response that until the test case is over, I would have to put up with the default on my account, unless I can raise an online dispute with them.

I realised the mistake I made now so I've sent another to them.

[Coasters]

what test case is this?

[Dipply75]

Hi Nonirongirl

I might have a bit of info that could help. I had 3 outstanding searches done by CNM and I fought with them, Equifax and their grannys, everyone.

I found out purely by accident that CNM didn't even have an account with Equifax - they were using an old branch account of MacKenzie Hall that they used to work with!!!

I had to inform Equifax that their client didn't have an account! Suddenly they agreed to remove the searches.

So, you know they didn;t have your consent but try asking Equifax if CNM even had an account to be accessing your info.

I would then be putting in a complaint that not only are their security procedures so lax that even companies not paying them can access your data, but that fact that disputed/wrong info doesn't matter but the second Equifax realise they've not been PAID, info is removed. Priorities, eh?

Let me know how you get on. If you need dates when I know they did not have an account (they may have one now and Equifax could fib), leme know

[NORNIRONGIRL08]

Hi Dipply

I had a real to-ing and froing with CNM Data they told me they have an account with Equifax and do searches on behalf of their "clients" i raised the issue about Mac Hall as well, and as they now have their own account with Equifax they can search til their wee hearts content, as for the Data protection Act, even if your not the debtor they want they still search your personal info. I raised the point loads that I never gave them permission to search. As MH and J2 have accounts this apparently gives them the power to search. Equifax repy to me Our customer MH/J2 are covered by the Data Protection Act.

As for having the searches removed I have had searches removed and put on again more times that a kettle on a stove. Mh and CNM search it then I complain they remove some searches, a few days later they searched again.

Sorry bout going on and on<