CAG CRA S.A.R Club

[ODC]

A lot of this JUNK mail comes from guarantees you fill in when you bu a new Hoover or Washing Machine or whatever. I am starting to fill my warranties in with sill names just to see if I get any letters addressed to Mrs Ann Gree XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

or Mr Juan Kerr

 

or Master Bates

 

or maybe Just plain Old Ken Maynard and according to 192.com my adress should be ...............................

[elizabeth1]

Now this is where it all gets my blood boiling... Lifestyle Marketing, where did they get permission to access your information especially as you are ex directory? Who gave permisssion to the phone company to sell your phone number.... this really makes me mad. I'm ex Directory too and we still get sales phone calls.

 

Recently I was in Portugal and beside the pool was a line of small ants following one after another across the stone path through to the house. I wet my finger and rubbed out the path line they were all following and the ants got totally confused as to what direction they were going in - I'm going to try and find something similar for this line of data information to stop.

The ants vanished in about 15 minutes, might take a bit longer for the likes of Lifestyle Marketing, but we'll get there.

 

 

I do agree - we need to look at how to try stop this stuff - my own telephone number is ex directory and you'd never believe the calls we get - and nobody ever seems to give a straight answer when I ask "how did you get my number. I ask to speak to managers and supervisors and nobody seems to know where the lists come from - amazing ? It really annoys me!!

[JB9876]

OMG!!!!

 

Just posted a thread because I'd found an old CRA report from 2003 which had account numbers on which I thought was a great idea. http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/general-debt/116679-credit-reference-agencies.html

 

Thanks to Curlyben I've now found this thread and am absolutely dumbstruck!

 

I can't wait to find out what happens with these SARs, got to say I've subscribed to the creditexpert thing and others not realising (thinking I was actually making a positive move). I haven't been inundated with calls/post but I have opted out of this with Royal Mail and BT (so possibly somehing to do with it??)

 

How on earth can ANY decision be unbiased given this evidence? Surely now the time has come for all financial institutions to declare what percentage of their "fact discovering" decisions are actually based on the information given by the CRAs!!!

[sosumi]

OMG!!!!

 

Just posted a thread because I'd found an old CRA report from 2003 which had account numbers on which I thought was a great idea. http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/general-debt/116679-credit-reference-agencies.html

 

Thanks to Curlyben I've now found this thread and am absolutely dumbstruck!

 

I can't wait to find out what happens with these SARs, got to say I've subscribed to the creditexpert thing and others not realising (thinking I was actually making a positive move). I haven't been inundated with calls/post but I have opted out of this with Royal Mail and BT (so possibly somehing to do with it??)

 

How on earth can ANY decision be unbiased given this evidence? Surely now the time has come for all financial institutions to declare what percentage of their "fact discovering" decisions are actually based on the information given by the CRAs!!!

Hi JB, yes the SAR from Experian gave me all the account numbers. it's odd they don't have this on the credit report? I suppose it just shows the difference between asking (and paying £10) for a SAR, rather than £2 for the Credit Report. I wonder why they keep this back?

[ODC]

Hi JB, yes the S.A.R - (Subject Access Request) from Experian gave me all the account numbers. it's odd they don't have this on the credit report? I suppose it just shows the difference between asking (and paying £10) for a SAR, rather than £2 for the Credit Report. I wonder why they keep this back?

An SAR puts a LEGAL responsibility on them to provide EVERYTHING they have on you whereas the £2 request means they supply what they want.

 

I would be interested to know from those of you who have got their full SAR does it make any mention of passing on your information to 'interested organisation' or any requests from DCAs if not then there is something lacking and they have not fully complied.

[sosumi]

Hi ODC, the only ref. I have to a DCA is Hillesden's Default - which showed up on my Credit Report with Experian anyway. The biggie (for me) will be Equifax - will chase them up today. 'BCW Group' (not otherwise mentioned anywhere on our Equifax Credit Files) did a 'trace' on me and hubby on the day they received and signed for my CCA request. I wonder how they did that?

[Allwood]

ODC – CRA’s should have information on your file up to six years thereafter it should fall off as they have confirmed on the media. I feel that this is not correct as how do DAC’s send out letters that for debts that are over 6 years old. Where are DCA’s getting this information from????

[buzby]

A lot of this JUNK mail comes from guarantees you fill in when you bu a new Hoover or Washing Machine or whatever.

 

Not in my case, as I never provide this information as a matter of course. The same goes for my DoB. Even my local library said they wanted it before I could use their Internet terminal! I demanded to see the Head Librarian and was told it was so they could generate a password for access. Asking why I couldn't give a random 6 digit number instead stumped her. Yet others gave out their info without question.

 

Interestingly, Callcredit's e-mail was supposedly from 'Call Credit Anti-Fraud' as the SENDER, and used my first name as a salutation (which could not have been discerned from the email address itself). I've now responded asking for details of where my information was obtained - as part of MY security procedures.

[sosumi]

Yikes, Buzby - that sounds like spam... 'phishing?'

[buzby]

Yup, who would have thought that a CRA would stoop so low....!

[dannyboy660]

I've now responded asking for details of where my information was obtained - as part of MY security procedures.

 

I like that

 

More people should take a similar line instead of just handing over info to people just because they ask for it. Most people are too trusting for their own good. If someone rings your house and the first question they ask is "Confirm your d.o.b. for me please" your reply should simply be "No. I don't give any kind of personal details over the 'phone to a complete stranger."

 

It does work.

[buzby]

Danny, I'd find that kind of initial question impertinent - and my response is, "what's yours?, is there going to be a surprise party?" This usually floors them. However, as I have ACR (Anonymous Call Rejection) on my phone line - free from VM, and I won't answer calls to my mobile that don't present a number, these incidences are getting fewer!

[midge61]

Hi all

 

Just found this

 

FT.com / Companies / Financial services - Experian hit by subprime fears

[buzby]

Hmm 'low single digit organic growth'. Sounds as though the cash-cow has been milked to oblivion! I wonder what their credit score has sunk to...?

[MikeSplicer]

Just Read this Thread from start to finish.

 

I am shocked by the links between CRA's and DCA's. I did not even think about SARing a CRA before what a brilliant idea. I am now on a mission to get rid of my Loyalty cards etc.

 

I am in the process of changing my name (by Deedpoll) as I have one of those annoying names that when your checking into a hotel they always snigger (ie Jones) anyway I am adopting a family name from a couple of generations ago and after googling the name is it very rare.

 

But my question is this how is this name change going to affect the information stored etc.

 

One thing I did think of... any letters that arrive addressed by my old name will have obviously come from prior to the name change and would be good for timelining etc...

[buzby]

Whilst you're doing that, also consider using middle initials spuriously to track who misuses your data. The CRAs may keep things separate until a formal 'linking' takes place. I'm unsure if they get Deed Poll changes and record them as a matter of course, but nothing would surprise me.

 

The middle initial ploy is most useful in tracking down where your details originated from, and I developed this system.

 

A - the default

C - Council, (library, property taxes etc)

S - Retail / Shopping / Surveys

T - Inland Revenue

V - Voting (Electoral Registration)

 

the remainder are used for various other purposes!

[MikeSplicer]

Whilst you're doing that, also consider using middle initials spuriously to track who misuses your data. The CRAs may keep things separate until a formal 'linking' takes place. I'm unsure if they get Deed Poll changes and record them as a matter of course, but nothing would surprise me.

 

The middle initial ploy is most useful in tracking down where your details originated from, and I developed this system.

 

A - the default

C - Council, (library, property taxes etc)

S - Retail / Shopping / Surveys

T - Inland Revenue

V - Voting (Electoral Registration)

 

the remainder are used for various other purposes!

 

This is good Stuff

 

I use somthing simular for the telephone is they ask for Mike I know its business, if they ask for Mick I know its personal, If they ask for Michael I am very wary and if they asked for debt filled ****** I know its a DCA

[buzby]

I can't claim the credit for originating the idea, on the Glasgow Underground (which is a circular railway) back in the 1960's every station have an advert on the wall for a hypnotist called "Joel B. Sneader", offering to help you stop smoking or give up gambling or whatever.

 

As the train moved on to the next station, I noticed the person offering the service was now "Joel C Sneader" and so on, round the 15 stations. Mr Sneader then knew from his customers calls which underground station his adverts were best placed!

[snlc]

I've been watching this thread with some interest. Finding out who is passing our details about is often time consuming.

 

There was a thread about the head of the CCCS charity Malcolm Hurlston which I cant find, but I have done a little chasing back myself.

 

I received a mailshot from the Money Group Ltd (formerly called the Mortgage Group Ltd until August 2005 when they did what Cabot Financial UK Ltd did with Kingshill No 1 Ltd and swopped names -live company for Dormant - why? the mind boggles and we will have to wait until I find out). But these are Money brokers, loan brokers, mortgage brokers with credits on their headed notepaper ( company logo's for) igroup (GE Money , First National & Mortgage Top Ups Ltd ( The money groups own specialist lending division).

 

The Money Group Ltd had sent out a mailer and I sent a Subject Access Request to find out why and where they got my details from. Answer came back 1) The Registry Trust Ltd 2) The Response Team

 

The Response Team look inocuous enough, but the Registry Trust is this ' Not for Profit ' organisation the brain child of none other than one Mr Malcolm Hurlston a Director of the Trust which records for the Government the CCJ's etc we all get through the courts.

 

Now this organisation, whilst admittedly supplying publically available information ( I picked up some ccj's back a few years ago) is SELLING this information to money brokers who are then targetting people who have had a hard time AND at the other end of the stick Mr Hurlston is HEAD of CCCS the debt charity helping people who are in financial trouble...

 

I am digging and finding other Directors of said Registry Trust Ltd also in Debt Counselling companies and one possibly in a Loan company( checking). Now come on what the hell is going on?

 

..AND This Hurlston fellow is now sitting on a panel of Judges to congratulate DCA's in November for some credit magazine ??????

 

I'll await your comments ( serious Comments and then decide how I will tackle this. I don't often say much, but when I do.....

 

 

Tom

[dannyboy660]

This might be the thread here http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/debt-collectors-debt-collection/111919-debt-collection-agency-year.html

 

It's funny how often the same names reappear.

 

I'm convinced CCCS and Payplan are part of the information gathering process, knowingly or otherwise. It's not a comfortable subject.

 

I would imagine this topic is 'thin ice' on a public forum especially having a pop at the esteemed Mr Hurlston, so tread carefully my friend, or a Mod will be along to spank your bottom until it turns purple and really hurts.

[andrew1]

This might be the thread here http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/debt-collectors-debt-collection/111919-debt-collection-agency-year.html

 

It's funny how often the same names reappear.

 

I'm convinced CCCS and Payplan are part of the information gathering process, knowingly or otherwise. It's not a comfortable subject.

 

I would imagine this topic is 'thin ice' on a public forum especially having a pop at the esteemed Mr Hurlston, so tread carefully my friend, or a Mod will be along to spank your bottom until it turns purple and really hurts.

 

CCS & Payplan Danny - that wouldn't have anything to do with The Paylink Trust by any chance would it?

[buzby]

Within a few months of Registry Trust recording a CCJ against me, I received at least 18 invitations from firms ranging from Barclaycard and others all offering to help me 'repair' my credit. The problem I had was with a lender and the blight was eventually lifted, however with RT actively SELLING this information (that is supposedly in the public domain, but on their computers) I have no opportunity to opt out or seek that my data is not disclosed in this way. I have no doubt that for their own perverse reasons the Government will not kick the crutch away from RT - but someone should.

[dannyboy660]

CCS & Payplan Danny - that wouldn't have anything to do with The Paylink Trust by any chance would it?

 

Oh dear!!! There was I, just on the point of a CAG semi-retirement and you're going to set me off again!!!!

 

 

 

There was a video posted recently 'MAXED OUT' if you've not already seen it, take a look.

[snlc]

This might be the thread here http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/debt-collectors-debt-collection/111919-debt-collection-agency-year.html

 

It's funny how often the same names reappear.

 

I'm convinced CCCS and Payplan are part of the information gathering process, knowingly or otherwise. It's not a comfortable subject.

 

I would imagine this topic is 'thin ice' on a public forum especially having a pop at the esteemed Mr Hurlston, so tread carefully my friend, or a Mod will be along to spank your bottom until it turns purple and really hurts.

 

 

Perhaps Dannyboy660 you could tell me and the other tens of thousands on here what is so special about Mr Hurlston?

[dannyboy660]

Perhaps Dannyboy660 you could tell me and the other tens of thousands on here what is so special about Mr Hurlston?

 

:o YIKES!!!

 

That's a leading question your Honour, and I respectfully refuse to answer on the grounds I might incriminate myself!!!

 

There's not a great deal to say that hasn't already been said. Mr Hurlston has his fingers and toes in too many conflicting pies, in my opinion.

 

CCCS, Registry Trust, dishing out gongs to DCA's, advising the Gov to offer credit to 16-17 year olds, suggesting that Credit Unions be scrapped because they are run by their own members (and he's not involved)......