CAG CRA S.A.R Club

[2Grumpy]

A question that has been bugging me for a while. I want a copy of my credit report and do not want to pay £6 a month so I can view it every day!!

 

Experian's website only seems to offer the 'free' report that then costs you as above and I have already subscribed and unsubscribed to it twice. How on earth do you get the old one you used to get for £1 - do you have to write to them?

Your Credit Report Help Centre: Order Your Paper Report

[sosumi]

Okay, in case I forget this link at some point:

Data Protection in the Financial ... - Google Book Search

Interesting info...

 

BUT, I have more...

[mrmarmite]

yup interesting all right, cough up the rest

[sosumi]

just cussing the scanner - it'll work in a minute.

[sosumi]

Right, from Credit Today Magazine, April 2008:

[patrickq1]

i have just sent BT YAHOO a request to see if they have used phorn on my web address and also warned them of an intended prosecution if they have done somi think the cag mods should look into this to see what we can do as a collective because it is really obtrusive and worrying that greedy bt can use our private data and profit from it

patrickq1

[sosumi]

Credit Reference Agencies are very far from being the 'consumers' friends' they'd like us (the consumers) to believe.

I personally think that the relationship between CRAs and DCAs is way beyond what we, the consumers, know about them.

- and I say that in the broadest sense - not just people here on CAG, but people who've never heard of consumer forums like this.

Debt Collection Agencies, once they get their grubby mitts on our information, would like everyone to believe we're 'debtors' - but I'm sorry DCAs, that just doesn't wash. You cannot label a huge proportion of people in our society with such a loaded phrase. And as for 'rogue debtors' - now come on!! You - and we - know the number and type of 'rogue DCAs' there are out there. Give yourselves fancy names, set yourselves up as 'companies' and go hunting for people with a debt - any debt - and what you do, what you say, the manner you conduct your 'business' - anything goes, doesn't it?

So, Credit Reference Agencies - self-appointed, let's not forget, feed DCAs! That's what they do. They're not in business to help consumers, they want 'business'. In the hideous murky waters of debt collection, they're the icebergs. We only see the little bit on the surface.

In an ideal world, the Information Commissioner - the Government - would have the guts to recognise these CRAs for what they are, private companies with grandiose aspirations. Yes, there has to be some form of regulation within the credit industry, but these are not the companies to provide it!

I haven't forgotten Beryl Brazier, and neither should the Government. One of the 3 CRAs were mentioned in the inquest into her suicide. The one that has a confidentiality clause in their terms and conditions for their tracing services that says something to the effect of, "Yeah, we got the information, but don't tell anyone you got it from us, right?" Just like a spiv at a street corner.

 

Then there's the 'marketing information'... Wonder where that's going anyone??

[Goldlady]

Had an email from Equifax - MBNA have agreed to the removal of the default for a credit account I once had with them, allegedly;). However Lowells have a further three defaults for the same debt and I am still waiting for them to respond to Equifax. It's a start anyway.

[mrmarmite]

Sosumi, in your research through Credit Today mag, have you ever come across anything (cock up, big or small) where they seem to be on the consumer side?

 

i'm probably barking up the wrong tree as usual but I'm trying to suss if the mag is 100% neutral or is biassed

[sosumi]

Also from Credit Today Magazine April '08 (my highlights in red):

CRAs join forces over ID fraud

The three credit reference agencies (CRAs) are to work together to offer identity repair services for free, following an agreement brokered by the National Consumer Council.

The CRAs are understood to have rejected government proposals for a service to help victims as expensive and impractical, instead drawing up their own plans.

Victims can make contact with just one of Experian, Equifax and Callcredit, which will then alert the other two agencies to the fraud.

Each agency will then work with victims to mend the damage caused to their credit reports and contact all the lenders involved.

The news came as part of Sir James Crosby's report on identity assurance.

Well that's reassuring then, isn't it? But reading between the lines I wonder... Are they really so far above the Law that they can reject Government propsals? Well bless, they are important, aren't they:rolleyes:

And they're the 'private company Supermen' as well, Clark Kents by day and by night, sponsors of the Credit Today Awards!:

Look who they're rubbing shoulders with here:

Asset Finance of the Year - sponsored by Direct Legal and Collections

Business Lender of the Year - sponsored by Equifax

Consumer Collector of the Year - sponsored by Tallyman (Experian company)

Consumer Credit Manager of the Year - sponsored by Intrum Justitia

Contribution to the Credit Industry - sponsored by Robinson Way

Well I could go on, but see for yourself here.

But see how nicely snuggled up the CRAs are in the list of DCAs! Crikey, you'd think they were part of the credit industry, wouldn't you??

[mrmarmite]

they are a company, a business, of which makes money and is not government controlled.

 

SO WHO gave THEM permission to hold our personal information?

[babybear39]

Sosumi, they are

[sosumi]

Sosumi, in your research through Credit Today mag, have you ever come across anything (cock up, big or small) where they seem to be on the consumer side?

 

i'm probably barking up the wrong tree as usual but I'm trying to suss if the mag is 100% neutral or is biassed

Well it's not pleasant reading... I think they'd like to be seen as impartial, but... I'd say 60% neutral. If you haven't already seen it, have a read of a thread on their Discussion Forum called 'Credit Up North'... I actually felt sorry for the guy, look how they turned on him!

Credit Today online

 

I'm still struggling with a phrase CTEditor used in her one post here last year. She described DCA call centre staff as being 'on the coal face' - you what??? I still think it's ludicrous*!

*Although I'm thinking of another word here

[mrmarmite]

this country is full of crooks, it's bad enough with the current government,

 

They DONT care as long as they get their dosh, if they gotta ruin 1 or 1000000 lives then so be it as long as they get their dosh,

 

again i shall say "How deep does the bunny hole go" rate it going it already through down under and is some where just after Jupiter.

 

there has gotta be an end but we have gotta find it. it's like saying, WHO gave the Queen, PM and rest of idiots the power to govern what we can and cant do? NOT ME and I bet no other Cagger did,

 

 

grrrrrrrr friggin politics, it is known that creditors actually have the power to lend out 7 times the TRUE amount they actually have in their vaults, WHY? oh yeah soz, they a company that gotta make money out OUR (the consumers) expense.

[mrmarmite]

Well it's not pleasant reading... I think they'd like to be seen as impartial, but... I'd say 60% neutral. If you haven't already seen it, have a read of a thread on their Discussion Forum called 'Credit Up North'... I actually felt sorry for the guy, look how they turned on him!

Credit Today online

 

I'm still struggling with a phrase CTEditor used in her one post here last year. She described DCA call centre staff as being 'on the coal face' - you what??? I still think it's ludicrous*!

*Although I'm thinking of another word here

 

the bits you have posted ARE interesting, i'll check out all other posts you have made and given VERY useful (hence the scale click earlier) information, compile it all together and see what we got.

 

the credit crunch is here, now who caused it?????

I know the answer already. Susomi knows, does every 1 else know? more to the point WHY

[Vampyra]

Subscribing

[sosumi]

Yes I'm sure of it MrM - and thanks for the click (and P1)

BB - I'm glad you're okay x

(I think these 'trolls' (with the exception of one who, given enough time and attention will start mentioning the war ) know that their jobs are on the line and public opinion is against them. This year, everything will change.)

One last scan before I try to settle down. Here's the President of the Credit Services Association (CSA), on how things are going with their 'Debt Manifesto'.

Yes, it's the founder of 1st Credit:

[mrmarmite]

(no offence) BUT president of the CSA with a name like that?

 

no wonder this country has gone to pot ! ! ! !

[sosumi]

PS: Don't forget there's a petition at 10 Downing Street discussion in the CAG Campaigns section. The petition says:

This country is increasingly racking up large amounts of debt. This is causing massive social problems. Creditors are abusing their powers by employing debt collection agencies that have inflexible working procedures. They are ignoring debt collection guidelines issued by the Office and as it is not a statutory document they are not breaking any rules. Making these guidelines statutory would relieve borrowers of some of the pressure from their creditors and agents.

It's here, in the 'E-Corridors of Power' - worth a try? :

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Enforce the Debt Collection Guidelines as issued by the Office of Fair Trading.

[mrmarmite]

at end of day, consumers are waking up (not enough mind you) but they are waking up, the more consumers who realise the better, DCA's CRA's ect are having to work harder than ever now, something WILL happen soon I am sure of. lets just hope it on our side. we know there are peeps on CAG that are avoiding their debts BUT even I have to admit good luck to them, look what F.A.R bennion said when he put s127 (3) in the CCA, if companies didnt follow the rules they deserve what they get.

 

I recently (8th March) got a CCJ against Barclays, I am pig sick of being dictated to by a COMPANY when WE employ THEIR services and it a quest of mine to do a lot of damage to these companys (legally) (eat my shorts barclays) 11th April i go for warrant of execution .I will show NO mercy because I HAVE abided by the Law, they have not.

[mrmarmite]

PS: Don't forget there's a petition at 10 Downing Street discussion in the CAG Campaigns section. The petition says:

It's here, in the 'E-Corridors of Power' - worth a try? :

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Enforce the Debt Collection Guidelines as issued by the Office of Fair Trading.

 

ty, I have signed

Like the rest it prob fall on deaf ears, but you never know

[renegotiation]

at end of day, consumers are waking up (not enough mind you) but they are waking up, the more consumers who realise the better, DCA's CRA's ect are having to work harder than ever now, something WILL happen soon I am sure of. lets just hope it on our side. we know there are peeps on CAG that are avoiding their debts BUT even I have to admit good luck to them, look what F.A.R bennion said when he put s127 (3) in the CCA, if companies didnt follow the rules they deserve what they get.

 

I recently (8th March) got a CCJ against Barclays, I am pig sick of being dictated to by a COMPANY when WE employ THEIR services and it a quest of mine to do a lot of damage to these companys (legally) (eat my shorts barclays) 11th April i go for warrant of execution .I will show NO mercy because I HAVE abided by the Law, they have not.

 

Stick it up them good and hard Mr. Marmite.

[renegotiation]

Right, I am ready to send off my S.A.R - (Subject Access Request)'s to the 3 CRA's. Is there a suitable letter for me to send (i'm sure i've seen one)? I want to make sure I get the first letter right, well every letter right, in case I need to rely on it in court. I want to make sure I get 'everything' from them and I am especially concerned with getting data over 6 years old if they have it and forcing them to remove it. On top of that, I want to make their lives as difficult as possible. That should go without saying though. I have been in correspondence with all 3 of them regarding my credit reports in the last few weeks and their ignorance and arrogance is no different to the that of the BL***DY, F***ING BANKS!!!! :mad:

[PossVox]

Hi,

 

Just signed the petition

[mrmarmite]

Stick it up them good and hard Mr. Marmite.

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/general-debt-issues/125554-28-days-later-no.html#post1422508 tis me thread . i some how don't think it's over yet tho so time will indeed tell.