dual citi/DCA entry on Credit File

[Deb T]

Have been reading for weeks and weeks and weeks now, there is so much good material on this forum but wading through it my eyes are bleeding.

 

First question (one of many so please be patient)

 

Two entries on my credit file are for the same debt, one by the original lender or credit card company, the other by the person collecting the debt or maybe who have purchased it.

 

How does one have the file amended if indeed it is able to be amended?

 

Also, the debt agency or have bought it or are collecting it have added a good few thousand to the debt in what I can only assume is interest. Is this allowable?

 

Does anyone have any idea on this?

[cerberusalert]

It really depends on what the entries are, if they are defaults only one default can be registered against a debt.

 

You should raise it with the credit reference agency, it's their responsibility to ensure the entries are correct.

[kurvaface]

Have no fear the CAG is here.

 

I am concerned about your bleeding eyes though;)

[blipvert]

I believe this is fairly normal. I had a default from a CC company, as soon as the DCA got hold of it they plonked another on it. The CRA forum has lots of this sort of stuff. IIRC some people have had them removed by sending in a robust letter but I think its the exception. Personally, I couldn't give a monkies ar5e because my file is shot to pieces.

[Blondmusic]

I have got 2 defaults for the same debtbut different amounts. The first one by the mobile phone company 3 for £132 then another this year by Lowell (who have purchased the debt) for £187. It looks to me like Lowell have added their own charges. I am currently disputing the entire debt but Lowell added the default in April when i stopped paying them.

[count orlok]

I had a default on an aledged Citi card, then a default appeared for the same amount on a 1st Credit loan. I contacted the CRA and the citi default disapeared. I never took out a loan with 1st and never got a notice of assignement form citi, all i've had from citi is a letter telling me if i still had an account with them and i got something abroad i would still be covered.

[twofoot]

Did you get a termination notice and a notice of assignment from the original crediter. If yes the DCA cannot add interest as the agreement which allows interest has been terminated. If you didn't then the DCA still can't add interest as you don't have an agreement with the DCA. There are cases where interest is allowed but we need more info on what you've had by way of notices.

[Deb T]

Applied for credit file on their free trial...

 

Credit file is smashed.

 

Noticed a duplicate entry for the same debt, one from the original lender the other from the DCA.

 

Spoke to Experian who stated that they would write to both of them asking for clarification and that it typically takes 14 days to sort out.

 

21 days later and the entries have been updated on the credit file in the usual monthly fashion AND there are still two entries.

 

Spoke to Experian again who said that if nothing is heard from them (and todate nothing had been heard from them) then they would keep writing, however Experian cannot sort the duplicate stating that the lender and dca add to my file so it must come from them.

 

This sounds tupid to me, if my file is showing two records for the same debt and neither of them are responding to requests to sort it out then surely after an amount of time the entries should be deleted?

 

In any case, I will be sending off for a copy of my CCA to the people I pay the money for the debt to (the dca) and I'll take it from there.

 

Thing is, like another debt I'm just starting to try and sort out the dca have added interest to the account, the lender shows the default amount and reduced amount but the dca shows the default amount and considerably more has been added on (as in almost 3k for what I can only assume is interest)

 

In this case it is citi-financial the creditor...(although it was never with them but with another company, citi-financial took them over and I think citi-financial have changed since..not sure) and the dca is Hillesden who use a dca called DLC...

[joe1965]

The CRA have a legal duty to find out who the debt belongs to. You can only have one entry for each account and it is their responsibility to ensure that the data is accurate.

[Deb T]

You'd like to think so wouldn't you...but thre weeks on and the file has received it's monthly update from both the creditor and the dca but experian stated that they would just keep writing to them but if nothing was heard they wouldn't be able to deal with it but would continue to request it dealt with.

[make them aktiv runners]

Experian cannot sort the duplicate stating that the lender and dca add to my file so it must come from them.

 

Experian also have a legal obligation to hold accurate data. If there is a possibility of data being inaccurate Experian can remove it.

 

You need to be firmer in your letters to Experian. Point out it is their responsibility to settle a dispute, as a CRA they should be fully aware you cannot have 2 live entries for one debt, give them 7 days to correct the information or remove it, state you will take the matter further naming Experian as an offender.

[Pinky69]

If it is stalemate then it's one for the Information Commissioner. I would certainly tell Hillesden that you are making a formal complaint to the ICO about the duplicate entry - they have been taken to task about breaching the DPA 1998 before.

[Deb T]

What dept at Experian do I write to re the removal of an entry?

 

One assumes Credit Expert is actually Experian

[payback68]

What dept at Experian do I write to re the removal of an entry?

 

One assumes Credit Expert is actually Experian

 

I think you are better phoning them to be honest, from previous experience. If they do not adhere to your complaint contact the ICO as pinky has stated:-

 

https://www.ico.gov.uk/Global/contact_us.aspx

[make them aktiv runners]

I think you are better phoning them to be honest, from previous experience. If they do not adhere to your complaint contact the ICO as pinky has stated:-

 

https://www.ico.gov.uk/Global/contact_us.aspx

 

Phoning does not show a record. Writing is much better. There are contact details on their website.

[PeteT]

Experian have always used a standard letter to me when I've queried inaccuracies that say along the line of "we've contacted the organisation who added the entry and they advise it's correct".

 

Funny how this has happened 3 times now for 3 different companies, yet Call Credit and Equifax both get no response from all 3 companies.

 

Smells of something brown to me.

[The GodMother]

Experian have always used a standard letter to me when I've queried inaccuracies that say along the line of "we've contacted the organisation who added the entry and they advise it's correct".

 

Funny how this has happened 3 times now for 3 different companies, yet Call Credit and Equifax both get no response from all 3 companies.

 

Smells of something brown to me.

 

 

Oh the answer to that one is......Because we are a more respected company who dont get anything wrong.

[payback68]

Phoning does not show a record. Writing is much better. There are contact details on their website.

 

 

Understandable writing is much better, however, a first point of call would be beneficial by phone in my opinion, then the OP can speak to the ICO instead of wasting time sending letters, left, right and centre, just my personal experience, which has worked;)

 

Regards.

[Deb T]

I've now done both, I sent a letter in requesting the info be removed and I spoke to a supervisor of the customer services who arranged a call back and who did call back and informed me they would write to the initial creditor with a view to updating and if nothing was heard they would write again but would also other options. The duplicate entry is easy enough to see so it shouldn't be a problem.

[payback68]

It may be beneficial also to take a screenshot of your report(via print screen) then if you have to contact the ICO, you can attach it to your email of complaint to them.;-)

 

Regards.

[PeteT]

I was asked for a copy of my report when I got in touch with the ICO about Wescott.

[Deb T]

I have indeed taken a copy of the entire selection both by printout and by way of a screenshot, was the first thing I did.

 

I have since had an email (my requested form of contact) for expert stating that they are looking in to it and would I like to add any comments to the file which if I do has to be made in writing.

[payback68]

Good stuff Deb T;)

[Deb T]

as in have recently sent out some CCA requests....

 

but who do I subject access is is DLC / Hillseden or Citifinancial? (the account was originall Peoples Bank but it change to Citi and then Citi-Financial...

 

Where is the definitive subject access letter here and what is the charge? £10? postal order?

[Deb T]

ANyone?