CAG CRA S.A.R Club

[andrew1]

I get a monthly Credit Report following an attempt to steal my ID, I got mailings too, but I have just sent a Subject Access wotsit to these people and done a company search on the company - The Money Group Ltd - right shading looking background they have.. will report as is appropriate and familiar from the Cabot Fan Club Shouldn't mess with us

[andrew1]

Sosumi, this is astonishing. I'm not at all surprised, but under what rights do a CRA who have obtained our information under some kind of confidentiality ( or is this the misnoma of the 'tick the box if you don't want it' [problem]?)

 

Surely they cannot be allowed to re process all our data for profit?

 

 

Me thinks these people are in for some big surprises in the coming months. This HAS to stop.

[andrew1]

....and just while you are on the subject of data sharing...did all you people know that when you move home and fill in a redirection order for your mail the Royal Mail sell your new address to ' interested parties' ?

 

I only found out that when I lost a Nectar card - a shopping points card not a credit card and asked for a replacement. They asked if I wanted it sent to the 'current address' some 40 miles from me? "What ? where did you get that address from" I asked... "Royal Mail" - we get the updates to - wait for it " save customers the time and trouble to write to everyone" (someone trying to steal my identity and putting a redirection order on my address so they could collect a new credit card which someone had applied for in my name as it happened!) When I challenged Royal Mail they said they supplied a whole number of organisation that pay for the info............. p****sed off? I was absolutely livid...

[andrew1]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Equifax own Wescot, and until recently Experian and Great Universal Stores were the same thing.

 

They shouldn't, in theory, be passing information around willy-nilly (poor old willy), especially if that information is personal and identifiable. But when there's money to be made, and nobody's looking, who's going to stop them sharing info??

 

It was GUS that began the whole credit referencing thingy I believe way back with their catalogue shopping...got a lot to answer for!

[andrew1]

Here's an article from The Guardian, last July:

The card up their sleeve | Weekend | Guardian Unlimited

 

Couple of other points:

Re. the mobile phone. We've never had a contract phone with anyone. We only ever use mobile phones for emergencies, so they've always been 'pay as you go'. So there was not any kind of way Orange could have 'mistaken' mum-in-law for hubby, for example.

Plus Great Universal is now part of the Littlewoods Group. Experian like to point to their 'successful demerger' from GUS - but yes, it was formerly part of GUS.

 

A couple of weeks ago we had a call from a company offering mortgage services. As we've just changed phone providers again (we've got cable, and have tried Bt, NTL, BT again, then back to cable (it's cheaper)), and we insisted on being ex-directory, I questioned the salesman, made him pass me to his Supervisor, who told me they had been sold our number by 'Lifestyle Marketing'.

 

Allwood - excellent link! Here's what it says:

Also re. Lifestyle Marketing...

EuroDirect - UK Lifestyle - Datasets and software providing wealth of Lifestyle information - Specialist providers of consumer marketing information

and also here's CallCredit: About Skipton Information Group (SIG) - EuroDirect & GMAP Consulting

 

 

 

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.

[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?

[andrew1]

Difficult to read sosumi, can't enlarge the page..but what you say reminds me of the Registry Trust scenario selling ccj info to the Money brokers who then pass it out although what the Registry Trust info comprises of is in the public domain of course. Still unsavoury.

[andrew1]

But is it in the 'public domain'? This information used to be freely available, along with other lists of public record (like the Land Registry, or Births Marriages or Deaths). Now it seems, you have to PAY someone to see this information (so it it 'public'?) I think this is another case of back-door privatisation.

 

THAT, is a very pertinent point Buzby, very pertinent..

[andrew1]

Good post Elizabeth1, This is one of the reasons I believe the Land registry should be challenged about divulging monetary values on property. IT IS PRIVATE and nothing whatsoever to do with anyone else.

 

I have been going through the process of having my home on sale and I do not want neighbours to know, Why? - because the first question they ask - What price? Its like telling someone your salary - feck off it's got nothing to do with you or anyone else. So why is it so important for the Land Registry to provide Joe public with the price I either Paid for or Sell my house for? This is very wrong. Keep the statistcis, fine for general average property prices, but what I get for my house - my business and no one elses.

 

As for the Charge on a property, remember they can also put a ' Caution' on if the can demonstrate they have some kind of interest in your asset. It's dead easy to put on and hell to get off.

[andrew1]

That still gives no right for MY information to be made available to every Tom Dick or Harry who wants it.

 

I get an email once a month of prices sent to me of houses within 500 yds of mine - always a good read about someone elses house, but buggered if they can have mine.

[andrew1]

This made me laugh, as the Land Registry - a sort of latter-day Domesday Book has been part of the fabric of these lands for centuries. What you are against is that people can access information and obtain details about you - this is your right - but the LR has by necessity been a public record and remains so. As do your BMD information and Electoral Registration and a pile of other things.

 

I need my investment to be recorded to ensure my rights are not infringed, that if something is going to effect my enjoyment of the land/property there is a method to contact me, but more importantly the Councils and Government use access to this to ensure relevant taxes are paid. The fact you own a property is a statement of fact, it is not 'personal' in the accepted sense like your medical records, and we all know when the Electoral Register went to an opt-out, the CRAs were given FULL access rights. I disagreed with this but they still got their way. Trying to make public records private isn't going to happen, as there are downsides that could have serious consequences.

 

 

Information regarding the land I occupy, where it is and what it is I have no problem, I have no problem with the figures I bought and sold the property for being record for ' statistical purposes ', but I do not see any relevance whatsoever in telling someone else who wants to pay £3 what I paid or sold it for. That's just not right - Unless you can provide me with a convincing argument to the contrary. It has nothing to do with DCA's or my next door neighbour what I bought and sold for, okay, the tax man can see it, the land registry record it, but the monetary value for the general public? - feck off - non of your business!

 

 

also,: "What you are against is that people can access information and obtain details about you - this is your right" ....... my right or other peoples right?

[andrew1]

Buzby, I understand your argument and what you are saying, I'm playing devils advocate here, so 'testing' the argument is all I am doing. I do not profess to being much of an historian, records may well go back to the Doomsday book and what was paid, but there are flaws in the case you argue.

 

What is to stop the Inland revenue having access to the property sale/purchase price just as they do for my income? That information is not on public record nor should it be, but the revenue keep full details of it.

 

If I buy an Antique from you, should I know what you paid for it so that I can have a better or clearer bargaining position? I think not.

 

Title can be confirmed quite easily with the Land Registry without the financial transactions being for all to see. As for the rules, well the banks all had rules didn't they and we have seen what has transpired with them. I don't see any problem having a name on the Electoral Register, otherwise how would anyone know where or who we have in the country ( they don't anyway, but hey ho!).

 

I do not have a problem with anyone having information on a 'need to know' basis. 'Want to know' is one thing, 'need to know' quite distinctly another, and I really don't see why a section 10 on the Land Registry shouldn't stop them advertising to the world my financial status without my permission. Credit Reference Agencies are a good example. There is nothing in statute as far as I'm aware which says we HAVE to have our data registered with them other than what is in the public domain such as Bankruptcy or Criminal Activity, but these CRA's have brainwashed us all into believing that it is their right to record all this information and they have colluded with their masters, the financial institutions, to have clauses in their agreements which allows with the inclusion of ones signature under the small print, to let them pass our details around the globe - that doesn't make what they do lawful or that we, under statute have to have that information processed for another 6 yrs. So where does that leave the Land Registry? Lawful or just what they can make money out of in our ignorance? You tell me.. I think it needs challenging.. might be another pounding like the banks, but needs challenging none the less.

 

 

 

Sarah

[andrew1]

I bought my home 20 yrs ago so the price I paid totally irrelevant to a buyer. The information available to a DCA from credit files on what mortgage or loans I have is none of their business IMHO but combined they have a profile far too intrusive for my liking & what I sell my home for is just for nosey parkers and crass dca's.

[andrew1]

oops!

 

Sarah

[andrew1]

As for the Land Registry - we're both struggling to get out and about just now, but that's still high on my list. I have absolutely no problems with the Land Registry - in exactly the same way that I have no problems with any other legal body having information about either of us.

 

For the avoidance of doubt in my mind sosumi, following my earlier posts, can I ask, are you happy about the financial data ie: sale price/purchase price and what mortgages/loans are on Land Registry being available to Debt Collection Agencies et al?

 

If so,would you mind giving me an idea of your perspective on it as I'm trying to get convinced there are good public reasons for it being available in broader terms than perhaps I am looking at it?

 

Thanks

 

Sarah

[andrew1]

Oh, I wish I had your faith! I often come through Dover on the ferry and sometimes I wonder why they waste money on these guards - walk straight through not a soul in sight! - mind you, that vision of Dover fading into the distance is pretty special isn't it? Mobile switched off and not a telephone wire to be seen - love it!

 

I sadly USED to have your faith, but then you are probably younger than I and I believed in my guardians of my country - now, I wouldn't trust a living soul of a politician. I'm sure there are some good ones amongst them, but collectively I've seen too much waste and ignorance of the real world down where it matters and once you start to uncover things and the goings on I have been finding in my ventures to expose you lose a considerable amount of faith in those so called carers of our well - being. It's a real sad feeling to think that you can't trust people anymore. I do trust, but even friends can't be trusted I have found out, loose talk, selfishness, in this highly demanding life pattern we have these days, people do not have the time to be careful and I hate it not trusting people, but I've got more knife marks in my back from those I trusted than I care to mention.

 

Anyway, thanks for your thoughts - all helps expose the 'transparent' organisations a little more. Trouble is I'm beginning to enjoy it! Gotta get a life!

[andrew1]

Jeez, i have just read this thread from start to finish.

 

Now that people have received the info they requested from the CRA by S.A.R - (Subject Access Request), how do they plan to use this info?

 

I have not sent a S.A.R - (Subject Access Request), but know exactly which entries i would like to challenge on my report.

 

This is all about finding out where all your data is passed about, who to, what for, what was sent, so you know who knows what about you.

 

In the Data Protection Act there are laws as to what can be passed on by people-companies about you and this request to the CRA's tells you what everyone else knows about you - believe me it's frightening. You can then use other means like Section 10 notices to stop your data being processed. It's a lot of reading, and a lot of debating, but well worth it in the long run.

 

When you think that next year, when the fixed rate mortgages are coming to an end which began a year or eighteen months ago, when you apply for a new rate or new deal on a mortgage you will be given a rate according to your credit history. One false default could cost you thousands over the years - THAT is why it is so important that EVERYONE gets to know what is in their Credit files and where your data is going to. Worth every penny of the £10.

[andrew1]

Okay, so money making eh? well take one Registry Trust - a not for profit organisation set up to record CCJ's on behalf of the court service by a Mr Malcolm Hurlston - you know the chap - that's right he who set up CCCS the debt help charity.

 

Well, would you like some ccj records? Cheap at twice the price for anyone with a little bit a dosh - of course there's no money in it is there?

 

This is a price tariff obtained straight from the horses mouth if you fancy taking a look: It's only part of it and I start on part 3:

 

"Thirdly we provide data in bulk to organisations that require all of the judgments filed within England and Wales. Again, using this method we can only supply new judgments being processed each day and therefore cannot supply data on judgments filed historically. The data is received and verified by us on a daily basis and files of successful records are put up to FTP sites each night, Monday to Friday. The data purchaser then collects these files and processes the data in accordance with our contract and data protection principles. As a guide, including satisfactions and cancellations of judgments, we process in the region of 4,000 records per day. We handle and verify each record individually so the processing of the data to match satisfaction and cancellation records to their original judgment records is the responsibility of the purchaser.

The costs for buying data in bulk vary depending on the type of data required but currently are as follows:

 

-For consumer judgments only, there is a non refundable deposit of £20k (k as in 000's) and a refundable deposit of £72k required in advance and monthly payments thereafter of £24k, also payable in advance. (This makes the initial payment calculation: £20k+ £72k+ £24k).

 

-For commercial judgments only, the non refundable deposit is £5k, refundable is £15k and the monthly payments £5k.

 

-For consumer and commercial judgments the non refundable deposit is £25k refundable is £86k and the monthly payments £29k".

 

-For commercial judgment data an advance deposit of £17,250 (equal to three months estimated volumes) would be required. For consumer data the advance deposit payment is £60,320, (again, equal to three months estimated volumes). Any outstanding balance is fully refundable providing the one month’s notice has been given.

 

That's what I like about these not for profit organisations - be interesting to see their annual report and how much everyone gets in salaries wouldn't it?

 

When you get a flyer through the post, as snlc did from the Money Group (formerly The Mortgage Group) offering loans when you most need it, well this is where they come from - The Registry Trust - charging loan companies for freely available information ' IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN (ccjs) and they are paying the Registry Trust these kinds of sums of money just to get your information to sell their sub-prime loans to you. Details were obtained from The Money Group after sending in an S.A.R - (Subject Access Request) and they get their info from Registry Trust and The Response Team ( haven't checked them out yet ). If they are prepared to pay this kind of money and Registry Trust are supplying not just Money Group, but all those other companies too there must be serious profits for the loan companies.

 

Now, if you wikipedia " Not for Profit Organisation" this is what it says and I hope for a certain number of people this is EXACTLY what happens:

 

" not-for-profit organization "

Definition

 

"An incorporated organization which exists for educational or charitable reasons, and from which its shareholders or trustees do not benefit financially. also called non-profit organization. "

 

Oh, and isn't it Mr Hurlstron who's judging the DCA's of the year awards - silly me, course it is. These very same DCA's who chase you when you can't afford these Sub Prime loans. I'll let you come to your own conclusions. - and I have more.....

 

 

Sarah

[andrew1]

Abuse of position, insider dealing (criminal offence), conspiracy

 

No evidence of insider dealing - I'm working on it!

[andrew1]

- Do you remember, in the discussion about Credit Today's Debt Collector of the Year Award, how I mentioned a news item on Credit Today, which pictured Malcom Hurlston, about CCCS warning (rightly) that a loan company was trying to replace the proper link to CCCS in Google searches?

That news story has vanished.

 

we'll find it!

[andrew1]

...but the CRa's are not there to ' give advice' they tell everyone. They just state fact which is fed to them by lenders and financial institutions - FACT we all know not to be right half the time.

[andrew1]

Not every company uses all three CRA's, some are just linked to one. If an entry is wrong then often one CRA' will tell the others if they amend it.

[andrew1]

You should read the default hell thread, if you've got 5 minutes. It's an eye opener..

[andrew1]

Sorry to butt in..Meagain - how are you ole chap - went a bit quiet?

 

Anyway..

 

Anyone see that twit on Watchdog tonight from Equifax - saying so many companies have and misuse our data - bit strong coming from them

 

 

Sarah

[andrew1]

Hope every thing goes well for you tomorrow at the Land Registry and get back in good health soon - this is extra stress that people do not need with these DC they have such cheeks trying to collects debts when they have no authority do so - that is why the keep harassing to break people and in the hope in the end they will squeeze money out of us.

 

They are losing Allwood, and losing big time and buckling under the strain of having to do things the way they've been meant to be doing for years, but have got away with it. Not anymore, because the likes of you me and a few thousand followers of this forum and the Cabot Fan Club are making sure they do - well done keep up the pressure on EVERY DCA. Take a look at the conferences the Industry are having -they are discussing US, and how they handle us and - "how to deal with 'vigilante consumers' VIGILANTE? - the fecking nerve of it.....some of these people, so called professionals, are ignoring their duty, not just as human beings, but as professionals who SHOULD know what they do is against the law. We have only just (relatively) found out the hard way-these people are TRAINED - how dare they call us Vigilantes - keep complaining, every time one steps out of line and Trading Standards will descend on these rogues once and for all one of these days, they will be unable to NOT do it.

 

 

Sarah