Searches By DCA's

[AndreaMc]

OK DO NOTHING UNLESS APEX OR CABOT CONTACT YOU

BY POST (SORRY ABOUT CAPS SEEMS TO BE LOCKED ON)

 

Phew, I thought you'd had enough of me!!

 

Will do. Thanks Brigadier.

[mylonite]

Sorry to Hijack the thread, but I am currently locked into a battle with 3 CRA's who have recorded Table 1 searches, I have no outstanding debt that is not either fully up to date or is SB from around 9 years ago when I went through a divorce. How do I get these searches removed as I seem to be have exactly the same responses ar the poster above.

many thanks

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Sorry to Hijack the thread, but I am currently locked into a battle with 3 CRA's who have recorded Table 1 searches, I have no outstanding debt that is not either fully up to date or is SB from around 9 years ago when I went through a divorce. How do I get these searches removed as I seem to be have exactly the same responses ar the poster above.

many thanks

 

AS the CRAs state these serarches are not seen by

potential lenders making searches in regard to credit

applications and the fact they are removed after 2 years

is it worth the effort.

But please be aware that even if a debt is statute barred

and still exists and can be persude for payment, (short of court action)

Until the debtor has informed the creditor that the debt is statute

barred and they will not be paying (see OFT guidance 2003/2011).

[mylonite]

Thanks for the quick response, the debt is SB and the DCA MH has been informed that it is SB and won't be paid, but they have also got Cabot and Clarity involved in this and all three have carried out table one searches which are seen by potential lenders, this is the only thing that is blotting an otherwise perfect credit file, I need to change my Crapital One high interest CC for a lower rate one and I am getting refusals, which can only be caused by these searches.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Thanks for the quick response, the debt is SB and the DCA MH has been informed that it is SB and won't be paid, but they have also got Cabot and Clarity involved in this and all three have carried out table one searches which are seen by potential lenders, this is the only thing that is blotting an otherwise perfect credit file, I need to change my Crapital One high interest CC for a lower rate one and I am getting refusals, which can only be caused by these searches.

 

If you take a look at the information on the searches the CRAs are stating

they are NOT seen by potential lenders making searches regarding credit

applications.

Ring Experian and Equifax for further clarification.

There are many more reason for being declined than

the CRA files all lenders have their own credit profiling

methods.

[mylonite]

Thanks brigadier, but my understanding is that ALL table one searches can be seen by potential lenders, especially so if its an automated search, I am sure that they are particularly interested when the reason for search is outstanding debt, which is incorrect, and clearly an attempt by the DCA's just to make life difficult. Especially so when they are linked searching addresses that I left 11 years ago that have no relationship to the alleged debt whatsoever!

 

If it wasn't that then they would have no problem with having them recorded as table two searches. I have now managed to get one removed with a threatogram, two more to go...

[AndreaMc]

OK DO NOTHING UNLESS APEX OR CABOT CONTACT YOU

BY POST (SORRY ABOUT CAPS SEEMS TO BE LOCKED ON)

Leave them to make the first move, then let us know and we

can help you sort it out.

 

 

Well, you said to wait til they contacted me and the phone calls have started already. While I was on the school run, I had 3 missed calls, one from 01227 282910 and 2 withheld numbers. I've googled the number and it may be registered to a solicitors in Canterbury, though that's unconfirmed. How did they get my number when i'm ex-directory?

 

Should I still wait for a letter before I do anything? It's a bit of a pain in the bum that they're calling though. What should I say, because I refuse to not answer my phone? My son is disabled and his school number comes up as withheld on my home phone and mobile, so not answering isn't an option. Also, should I be worried that it's a solicitor rather than a dca?

[mylonite]

Well, you said to wait til they contacted me and the phone calls have started already. While I was on the school run, I had 3 missed calls, one from 01227 282910 and 2 withheld numbers. I've googled the number and it may be registered to a solicitors in Canterbury, though that's unconfirmed. How did they get my number when i'm ex-directory?

 

Should I still wait for a letter before I do anything? It's a bit of a pain in the bum that they're calling though. What should I say, because I refuse to not answer my phone? My son is disabled and his school number comes up as withheld on my home phone and mobile, so not answering isn't an option. Also, should I be worried that it's a solicitor rather than a dca?

 

Simply ask who they are, then inform them that you do not discuss personal matters over the phone and ask them to put everything in writing, but keep a record of dates, times and who is calling as if they do continue after being told not to is harassment, and can be dealt with if you have a log of all the calls.

But don't let them intimidate you, thats what they try and do, stand your ground and take controll.

Best of luck.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Well, you said to wait til they contacted me and the phone calls have started already. While I was on the school run, I had 3 missed calls, one from 01227 282910 and 2 withheld numbers. I've googled the number and it may be registered to a solicitors in Canterbury, though that's unconfirmed. How did they get my number when i'm ex-directory?

 

Should I still wait for a letter before I do anything? It's a bit of a pain in the bum that they're calling though. What should I say, because I refuse to not answer my phone? My son is disabled and his school number comes up as withheld on my home phone and mobile, so not answering isn't an option. Also, should I be worried that it's a solicitor rather than a dca?

Yes do not respond to their calls, they will attempt to

manipulate you into admitting liability setting up a payment

plan etc.,

If by chance you do answer the phone do not answer

any ''security'' questions and state simply inwritting

only and hang up.

If it's a solcitor the same applies it will be one of the

rental sols that sell their name to DCAs.

[AndreaMc]

Ok, I can do that. I'll let you know when I get a letter from them.

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[AndreaMc]

I thought i'd better give you the info, i'm confused, definitely.

 

This morning there was a message from Equifax which said I had a new credit report to view, as there was a new credit agreement and also Apex had performed another search.

 

I've just checked the new report and I can see the new credit agreement, but not the new search by Apex. Also, the 3 defaults I had have disappeared?! Is it possible that Equifax forgot to add them or could they really have vanished?

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Hi can you remember default dates of the

3 accounts all defaults are removed 6 years

after the default date so this may be the answer.

Searches on Equifax are on two tables T1 credit

app seaches T2 other searches.tracing /unrecorded.

[AndreaMc]

The one with Cabot/Apex was start balance of £0 on 2/11/07, a default/delinquent balance of £421 and a current balance of £481. I defaulted in June 08. The other 2 were defaulted in 2007 and were Arrow global and shop direct group. I would tell you the dates but there's no record of them now, not even on my previous credit reports sent by Equifax (wished i'd done a screen print!). So, none of them should have dropped off, they're still current.

[AndreaMc]

With regard to table 1 and 2 searches, I asked for clarification from Eqifax and this is the reply I got..

 

Dear

 

Thank you for getting in touch.

 

Mackenzie Hall

 

'Outstanding debt' searches displayed in the 'Table 1' section of a Credit Report will have been carried out as part of a debtor tracing procedure by the creditor or their appointed agent. These searches aren't visible to any lender performing a credit application enquiry or to any other creditor tracing a debtor or collecting overdue debt.

 

This information remains on your credit report for 2 years from the search date. Mackenzie Hall did not inform us who their client was or when the accounts were returned. Please contact Mackenzie Hall for further information.

 

MacKenzie Hall - Kilmarnock/Batch Address: 58 Portland Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 1JG

 

Apex Search

 

A dispute was raised under reference number *********** . We received the following response from that dispute:

 

Apex has investigated your query and have told Equifax that the search information is correct and should remain unchanged.

 

This information is supplied by the company and we can't change it without their permission. You should get in touch with the company directly if you need more information.

 

Collections Department: 08458 498 902

 

The note that we added, stating that your information was in dispute has now been removed.

 

You’ll find more information about your credit report at: http://www.equifax.co.uk/help. If you have a question, you should find the answer in our FAQ section. If not, you can send us an online query, and attach your documents to it - no need to worry about them getting lost or delayed in the post.

 

I hope you find this useful. If there’s anything else we can do for you, please let us know.

 

Kind regards

 

Equifax Customer Services

Edited February 25, 2012 by AndreaMc
Personal info

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

The information is correct in that the query was about

a search by a DCA T1 also is used for credit applications.

[AndreaMc]

What about the defaults Brigadier? Should I ask Equifax what's going on?

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

What about the defaults Brigadier? Should I ask Equifax what's going on?

TBH I'd just a check regularly, but id they go back on you should get another alert, also

may be a good idea to check Experian as well.

[AndreaMc]

Pfft.. just refreshed it and there they are again. So, back to waiting for letters in the post. I'll let you know when I get something.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Unlucky I guess you logged in whilst they

were updating.

[Dibsthefrenchie]

It is interesting that they state the searches cannot be seen by lenders, as Cabot have searched mine 3 times in one day and Equifax stated to me that Table 1 searches are seen by lenders, so one of them is mistaken.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Take a look at your Equifax report and check

what it states on T1 searches the replies are

contradictory to say the least.

[AndreaMc]

I asked for further clarification today and was told that..

 

'Outstanding debt' searches aren't visible to lenders in table 1 or table 2 BUT, 'Debt Collection' searches are.

 

I have 4 'Outstanding debt' searches and 1 'Debt Collection' search from 2011. That'll be there until 2013.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

I wonder why the distinction is made on the phraseology??

Time for more explantions from thr CRAs????

[AndreaMc]

Who knows? Do you think I should press further? I mentioned that Apex have done another search on me on the 22nd Feb, 3 weeks after the last one. I asked them why they would need to search me again, at the same address and that^^ was the response I got. So, if no lenders can see it, why am I bothered? It just p****s me off that they still haven't contacted by mail, but continue to search me. I want to fire off a couple of letters but I have to wait for them to write to me first.

 

Also, I'm trying to find a way to get my credit report from Experian, cheaper than the £14 odd they charge. I wish I'd not used my free trial, I didn't even really look at it that much I don't suppose any of you know of a cheaper way to get it?

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

I have sent today information/explanation requests

to Experian and Equifax requiring explicit explanations

of how, who and why searches are seen, affect credit

status of an individual.

It does seem the explanations given vary wildly according

to the way a question is asked.