Experian.....and their own rules

[Tab]

Experian are crippling my otherwise now nearly perfect credit score with their incorrectly reported information, my iva was completed 10 months early and was removed from the other two CRA files on its 6th anniversary as it should have in April this year.
Experian however seem to have their own rules they want a copy of the original completion certificate as being informed by the insolvency agency isn't good enough [:(!] , so I sent them my certificate 3 weeks ago and have heared nothing !
Emailed them twice, got an automated response
Telephoned them , and oh they won't speak to me unless I spend some money on their credit expert service !
I have just updated my credit report and guess what it's still there , an "ACTIVE" iva that even states it will be removed in April 2013 , it's nothing but a joke.
I have done my time, completed my iva , stuck by the rules and yet these idiots continue too to lie about my status and they are impossible to contact.
I have no certificate any more and still an incorrect entry on mine and my wife's credit file.
Sorry for the rant but needed to air my thoughts in the hope someone can give me some advise.
End of my tether with this now [V] [V]

[Tab]

And it also winds me up that all they have to do is search the insolvency register and they will see I'm NOT there, it would take one of their office numpties about 5 seconds to confirm it.

[ivoriva]

Not sure if I can post a weblink here but if I can then you can find their complaint process below:

http://www.experian.co.uk/assets/consum ... cedure.pdf

Clearly state your reasons for complaint and I agree they should remove it without the need to see your certificate. Ask them to contact your IP if they want further confirmation. If you get an inadequate response, contact the financial ombudsman or even the ICO in relation to the data protection act (as you clearly dont have an IVA and it should have been removed in April - therefore they hold inaccurate information about yourself):

http://www.ico.org.uk/complaints/handling

[CS2012]

I've had the same problem with them. CC received last summer, yet IVA still showing on Experian with an end date of 00/00/00. Sent them my CC last week via e mail so, hopefully, they'll resolve this within the two weeks they have now indicated.

[markiboy]

Its not just Experian. Equifax and Callcredit!!!! Folks if you have finished your IVA keep checking your credit files with the three. You will find that they sneakly reactivate accounts and then blame it on the creditors. I have had two defaults put on my account and guess what no one wants to claim they did it???
I wonder if these credit files have a mind of their own???

Also it's always a surprise that when you look deeper these closed accounts that are 6 years old have a little code on them saying settled IVA??? What a surprise. They never want you to have credit it's a simple as that it's bad for their business. Keep checking and challenge it.

[ivoriva]

Keep checking for sure and if it keeps happening then do complain with one of the bodies I posted earlier in this thread as neither the creditors or the credit reference agencies are allowed to do this. Keep a log of the credit ref agency, when it happens, and what accounts it involves so you can give enough information for any investigation.

[TheMatrix]

Make sure any automated updates that go from the creditors stop.

I had a similar issue with First Direct, where they updated the default date to the correct date and then the automated computer systems sent a update through to put it back the way it was the following month.


IVA Has to be marked as completed for it to come off your file after 6 years.

[fingers]

Under the 6 years rule though surely they cannot do this 6 years is 6 years regardless of the status. If they refuse its a case of writing to data commissioner then the ICO compliant can be made, but it can take 6 months going this route from previous experience.

[ivoriva]

6 years should be 6 years and that is the rule. Either the CRA or Creditor has a case to answer. At least making complaints to the above bodies alerts them to the fact it is happening - if nobody complains the creditors or CRAs then dont care as they'll be able to keep getting away with it. Obviously try and sort it out between the CRA and/or creditor but if it happens over and over complain regardless whether they 'sort' it out or not.

[Tab]

Well this is becoming more stressful than the actual IVA, today I have signed up to experians "credit expert" service just so I could speak to a real person, after a myriad of menu's (press 1 for this and 3 for that) I finally get to speak to someone and oh dear surprise surprise they haven't received my original certificate I sent recorded. so now I have no original copy and I have to get another from my IP . The man on the phone was unhelpful and matter of fact , I threatened him with the ombudsman and the data commissioner and they just don't care, he said the IVA will stay on my file forever until they receive my completion certificate...what a waste of 4 months of my time trying to sort out their incorrect information...Proper miffed to say the least... :/

[TheMatrix]

Do you have the tracking number of the recorded delivery item. Have you checked that it has been signed for on Royal Mail site?

If it's been signed for, reference this in a second copy to them. Keep records.

As I've said before the CRA's will not mark the IVA completed until they either hear from the insolvency service that it's complete or get a copy of the completion certificate. The IVA needs to be marked as complete before it can be removed at the 6 year mark.

[CS2012]

In my case, I can report a positive outcome from signing up for the free credit expert trial. I agree that there seems to be a long list of options before you finally speak to someone. However, I was advised to e mail the CC to to them, which I did & 6 days later, I received notification that my IVA would be off the report within 24 hours. On checking my report the next day they were true to their word & the IVA has been removed![:)] All I have to do now is cancel the trial.

[Tab]

That's good , hope I can get it sorted , they didn't give me the option to email it I have to sent the original IP Signed Cc , I have tried sending it recorded and it never arrived so im going to have to try special delivery this time.. :-/

[Tab]

I have actually already emailed mine but it wasn't good enough for them , they want the original

[CS2012]

I believe you have to sign up for credit expert in order for them to accept it via e mail. Incidentally, my credit score went up by 77 points on the removal of the IVA. The only remaining negative factor is that I don't have any credit agreements!

All three of my reports are now clear however, the sole remaining trace of my past debts is a satisfied account on my Equifax report. It's marked as partially settled as part of a final settlement - it also states that it was a credit card issued by a collection agency who obviously don't issue credit cards. So, even though it's satisfied & my report is completely green, it sort of gives the game away doesn't it.