'ATTENTION' heading on CAG ?

[andrew1]

Now I know I'm a bit of an ole trooper on here and had my fair share of moans, but can one of wiser ones please tell me why, on the top of the site there is this 'ATTENTION' notice telling people to come and 'chat' to us when firstly 'chatting' is not affiliated to CAG and secondly there is a box on the first page of that link encouraging people to go and get their credit score done for free?

 

Anyone touring the Debt Forums will scream at you NOT to get your credit scores and files from the CRA's without thinking it through very carefully as they tip off Debt Collection Agencies left right and center about your application. That in turn sets off the dca's chasing very old debt or alleged debt, enflicting grief all over the place. The only time you should ask for a credit file is if you really NEED to.

 

So, why are we encouraging this link to this website 'chat' when we have the Bear Garden for that all nice and cosy within these walls with lots of friendly people?

[andrew1]

The "Attention" bit was for the April Fools joke.

 

People bleated on about the chatroom being removed from here; as a courtesy I have allowed the link to the chatroom from another site.

 

You will notice that the link ONLY links to the chatroom and nothing else.

 

If I take it down I'll be slated, and if I leave it I'll be slated.

 

As there are no adverts here and donations have dried up almost completely since the OFT case started, I don't think it unreasonable to link to a site with adverts on it rather than to host them here.

 

The consumerhealthforums that are linked to from here also have advertisements on them.

 

As to the point about the CRAs 'tipping off' the debt collection agencies - without your consent, this would be a breach of the Data Protection Act, so I doubt that it happens that way. If it does, it's certainly not legal.

 

To state the blindingly obvious: if you don't want to go and check your credit file, then don't click on the advert - in much the same was as if you don't want to buy 'CallBurner' for Skype, then don't click the link on the left of this forum.

 

Sounds like you're a dead man whichever way you go Dave To be honest, I always thought the chat room to be a waste of time - there's not a whole bundle that can't be discussed on forum in the Bear Garden if anyone wanted it - I found the chat room awkward, gave people the opportunity to be stroppy and argumentative and at least on the forum there is control - even with loose cannons like me ! It may have suited some people, but I couldn't be bothered - there's plenty of support on the main forum to discuss issues and plenty of fun in the Bear Garden. As for the adverts, well I agree to a point although if someone is earning out of a link like that then... (EDIT)

 

Sadly Dave, I do not agree with your synopsis though. The CRA's own debt collection agencies, there is a distinct upsurge in DCA activity and letters coming to debtors once a credit report is received, you don't have to look far in the debt Forum to see that. Yes I agree, don't click if you know all this, but it's encouraging people to get their reports and there are plenty of people who do not read through the forums before whizzing off onto these links.

 

Anyway, I know you are always thinking of us all for the right reasons - Damned if you do, damned if you don't

 

The other thing was that the gap at the top of the forum is getting bigger everytime you put something up there, so whenever we changed threads there's a whole load more scrolling to do! - That's it - I'm off.... :D

[andrew1]

Don't get me wrong, I'm no fan of CRAs (or DCAs for that matter)!

 

In fact, I don't understand why people use them.

 

It's relatively easy to opt-out of using S12 of the Data Protection Act.

 

...now if we could only get about 20% of people to assert THAT right, then I think the CRAs (and their ridiculously unfair methods of working) would have their days numbered.

 

What in laymans terms are you suggesting here Dave? I've seen a number of references to using s.12 - what is your thought on this?

[andrew1]

I personally think the link should stay, as there have been plenty of people coming in to the chat room looking for help, and have been shown the way to the appropriate forums in here.

 

Then I will rest my case and leave them to your better judgment..if it helps just one, then that is good enough to leave it.

[andrew1]

LOL - sorry, missed that bit...so, if I don't want to NOT not buy the callburner, then I don't click the link on the left, but if I do want to not NOT buy the callburner, then I do need to click the link.

 

Can you just confirm whether I have this right or not, as I only want to buy callburner if I want callburner, and not buy it if I don't want callburner...or something like that...

 

LOL...

 

Hey Spiceskull - there's a rave from the grave. Haven't seen you about for ages - if I've missed you - sorry - but hey - welcome back anyway!