Experian - anyone else had this?

[Vampyra]

I sent off for my credit files from Equifax, Experian and online to Call Credit.

Call Credit were very quick and I got my credit file online nearly 2 weeks ago.

Equifax sent me my credit file last week.

I phone Experian and they say they have sent out a letter asking me to prove who I am with utility bills and bank statements. I told the girl I am on the electoral register for this address and have been since 1987, I have lived here for 35yrs and I don't see why I have to prove who I am. I sent a signed letter from this address requesting my file. She said "yes but you might not be Miss Vampyra so we can't send it out to you without proof. Can you provide utility bills and bank statements?" I told here as a full time carer, which is no doubt registered on my file somewhere, I do not have the utiliy bills in my name. They have no right to copies of my bank statements and if you send this out to Miss Vampyra at this address only Miss Vampyra at this address will recieve it, not anyone else.

I told her I was very disappointed they are behaving in such a way. I wondered why this was happening and said I would be sending an Subject Access Request for all information they hold upon me. She said "you still have to prove who you are we can't just send it out to anyone who requests to see your file". I retorted with, " I beg your pardon? ANYONE can make a search of my credit file, any company or indiviual getting my credit worthiness and you are refusing to let me, the person who sent a signed letter from my address I have lived at for over 35yrsm a copy of my own credit file? Something is extremely amiss here. I think this may have to be heard by a Court".

I'm angry, but has anyone else had this? And can they make you prove who you are? Which seems pointless coz if Miss Smith requests Miss Vampyra's credit file at Miss Vampyra's address a letter sent out to Miss Vampyra will be recieved by Miss Vampyra. They have had my Postal Order what are they on?

Dozy mare!

[Duffers Mum]

I tried to get my on line credit file from Experian and got exactly the same response you got, please send us two forms of ID, one to be your passport, I promptly told them where to stick it! Got my on line credit report with no trouble from Equifax - I believe Equifax hold more information anyway and my report has thrown up two things I never knew were on there, one a search from Lowells for a debt which is nothing to do with me and also Halifax showing I was late with four payments on a secured loan, even though it was their fault as they never set up the payment plan correctly - have now written to them asking them to set the record straight - doubt I'll get anywhere with Lowells though

[happyolddog]

Hi Miss Vampyra.
Really the request they are asking is not so bad.I just had the same I sent a photocopy of my Driving licence and a copy of my passport. They were sufficant. I think it is a security issue. You don't want so stranger claiming to be you and able to access your details and get credit in your name.

Good Luck,
Hod.

[Vampyra]

It's bl**dy ridiculous! I feel highly insulted about this, as I'm sure you did. What are they up to, I wonder? The girl told me they ask for ID from most people.

[Vampyra]

Originally Posted by happyolddog

Hi Miss Vampyra.
Really the request they are asking is not so bad.I just had the same I sent a photocopy of my Driving licence and a copy of my passport. They were sufficant. I think it is a security issue. You don't want so stranger claiming to be you and able to access your details and get credit in your name.

Good Luck,
Hod.

I don't have a passport.
I can't see how if they send my credit file to me at my address that they have on file, is suspicious. If I wrote from another address asking for it then I would fully understand.

Anyhow, Equifax sent me a leaflet about Identity Fraud and being careful about sending documents and copies of such to companies. There is no valid reason to question my ID I am doing nothing wrong! It's always the same isn't it - running around doing the jobs of these companies for them.

[Pliny the Penuriosus]

happy if you did that then may I say you been less than prudent. To send such information through the post is inviting ID theft. These crooks rely on the post to get personal details.

If they demand original docs, as some do just to be awkward & slow the process, insist on sending only a copy with the word copy written in large bold letters across it.

Should they still refuse to supply your info proceed with court action as they now have no reasonable grounds for refusal despite what they may claim

[jadzia]

Hi
Semms odd to me,i just got mine through the post from experian,i did pay with my debit card,so maybe thats why they didnt ask for any id?,i agree with you though,if you ask for your report,at your address,its fairly obvious that you are you!!

p.s,my report was pants,wish i didny bother now,lol!!!

[kennyparkroad]

initially i had to send off a bank statement but i also sent them a letter from the Joint Valuation Board confirming my addition to the electoral role again this was after i was turned down online.

im sure its just a security check, wouldnt worry about it too much, its not worth getting heat up about.

chill, deep breath!

Kenny

[Vampyra]

I've chilled!

[Vampyra]

Just an addendum to this. Got the letter from Experian. I have to send a photocopy of either my birth cert, passport, (don't have one), or full driving licence. Then 2 original not photocopied or faxed documents from bank statement, utility bill, mortgage statements, council tax bill, credit card statement, mobile phone bill.

I could only supply a bank statement there so I can't prove who I am as I can't give then the 2 docs from this section.

Discrimination but there you go!

[varbene]

I did mine on line recently as part of their get a month free promotion.

I waited several days and did not receive anything inthe post nor did I receive an email.

Their site suggests that they will write to you with pin number etc. but no doubt they are required to do some form of checking to ensure that a prsons credit file goes only to the person it should.

Anyway i never got the stuff through the post so clicked on the lost password button on the log in screen and hey presto answered a couple of security questions I set up when I registered and email received with new password.

What i dont know is if they were about to send me my log in anyway and i was just lucky or if account was set up ready to go at registration stage and I just happened to bypass the "know your customer" process by clicking on the lost password tab!!

Not happy with the content vamp as there is default on there from our friends at lowell but at least I can do something about it now i know its there.

[Vampyra]

Oh you should see mine!
Field day for DCA's to read - would probably excite them!

I can't do mine online, everytime I try it says it isn't working. I just guess my name has big red flashing warning light by it at the mo!

[LAN01]

I have access online to all my reports through checkmyfile.com, no problems getting the info immediately.

Must admitt though Experian doesn't seem to have all the info that the other two have.

[gllj40]

Hi Vampyra Theres an online credit report that you can get that gives information held by all three CRAs (Experian, Equifax and Call credit) Its annualcreditreport.co.uk and its free! all they ask is that you agree to receive their newsletter. You could give that a try.

[Vampyra]

Originally Posted by gllj40

Hi Vampyra Theres an online credit report that you can get that gives information held by all three CRAs (Experian, Equifax and Call credit) Its annualcreditreport.co.uk and its free! all they ask is that you agree to receive their newsletter. You could give that a try.

I have this but Equifax had more info on it. It showed I have an alias! I'm honoured CapQuest thought to create me one!

[make them aktiv runners]

Originally Posted by gllj40

Hi Vampyra Theres an online credit report that you can get that gives information held by all three CRAs (Experian, Equifax and Call credit) Its annualcreditreport.co.uk and its free! all they ask is that you agree to receive their newsletter. You could give that a try.

Nothing is free. In the very least you are giving away your data for free (which is probably worth well more than the £6 to go to the 3 agencies)You know nothing of this company but think logically everything you see on your file is also seen by them. According to Data Control Register they share information within their Group (exactly who is in their Group???), debt is also mentioned. They also state quite clearly on their website that they are not linked to banks etc (does not mention DCA's though!). Then again this may well be a new CRA trying to get into the marketplace offerring gimmicks to progress. It pays to be cautious!!!!

[Jdc911]

Hi all-is it actually safe to apply on line for your credit report? As in -will the credit agencies have more info on you? Would it be advisable to write for it instead. After 1st credit sending me an SD and me now applying to have it set aside-I have decided to reclaim all bank charges, credit card charges-everything. I have the time and drive to do it. I do not actually need credit cards and have changed to a bank that I can deal with. But will reclaim from barclays banks. Many thanks.

[Duffers Mum]

I still can't get a report from Experian, I tried again recently, I even rang them, they pressed a few buttons and said reregister in half an hour, which I did, only to get the message "we need to d