Genealogy Chat

I always get Martin Lewis' money saving reports - its free everyone, so do google Martin Lewis site - he is the guy on tv who goes round slashing peoples outgoings. Anyway, today I have received the following mailing re this credit report stuff: Everyone can now get their credit information for free. New Company launches. A new Annual Credit Report service has launched in a blaze of publicity offering a free annual credit report, yet so far it's only rolled out in Cornwall and Devon. Donnae fear though, anyone can get a free credit report by expoloiting a loophole; simply sign up for a free 30 day trial of either (or both) Experian's Credit Expert* or Equifax's Credit Watch* get your report, then cancel the service

You have to register one name and one address .. together with DoB. If you don't live at that address, you don't get the security code then do you !!... as that's where the security code is sent to... what are people going to do, wait outside an address for the postman to deliver the security code ???? ( don't think so ) ****UPDATE*** My friend received the Security Code through the post and has used it. The information sent to her, was about her and her only, and the address to which the security code was sent. It knew her correct details .... (she has sent me a copy for verification) ..... details which she did NOT include in the registration. It gave details of things she could verify ... NOT rubbish or details that did not pertain to her ... ...however .... it does seem as though there is a charge of £3.77 for her to actually get her Credit Score and Rating .... this has yet to be confirmed. <<<<<<<< .... Seems that you do end up paying then ... >>>>>>> I wouldn't recommend that she pays ... especially if it means using her card online !! Anything else, and I will update again when info comes in. Elaine ;-)

so basically you can check up on all your relatives and closely known associates for free- thats awful-considering how difficult they make it to view electoral roles these days-smacks of inconsistency...

Credit information is not private and confidential. When you sign a credit agreement you agree for the information to be held by credit reference agencies. You don't need to be the subject to gain the information, hence why companies find it so easy to trace you if move and leave your debt behind you. You just write to Experian with the relevant fee and address and get the details you want

Helen, Sorry, but I must ask this question.....Is this a genuine site???? I ask because we have heard many stories of people being sent emails, supposedly from their bank, asking for band details. I know this site is not asking for any card details, but if it is not a genuine site, it could 'steal' my identity. Sorry to be such a doubting Thomas, but I will not use my plastic now, I go the the bank, draw out cash to last the week. Kathlyn

Hi all, My friend in Cornwall has registered and has been given a password. What happens next ..... a Security Code is sent via post, to the Name & ADDRESS which you give on registration. This security code is then required to get the information online. So, unless you are searching for your own credit history - at your own address, you don't get the Security code. I imagine that the company WILL make sure that the name is listed at the address given .... and even if they don't, then no credit history would be available to the wrong name at the wrong address. I will let everyone know what develops, when my friend gains access to the Credit History in question. Elaine ;-)

When you register, you need the postcode and the person's full name and date of birth ...... easy enough to find I suppose ...... You do have a very valid point. Surely, when the results come back, if you ARE who you say you are, then you would KNOW if the details given are actually related to YOU. So that would clarify whether or not any old details are being given. Having said that, in respect of anyone getting your details and asuming your identity, they would have to know you well surely ? ... or get your birth certificate to find your actual date of birth... ? I see what the concern is, and it's a valid one. Is anyone in a position to check this 'company' out ??? Elaine ;-)

INFO FROM THE SITE ......... Anyone in a position to check it out ??? Quote: annualcreditreport.co.uk is the first in the UK to provide you with a free online credit report every year. annualcreditreport.co.uk is operated by Credit Reporting Agency Limited of 13 High Cross, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2AJ. The company is registered in England no. 0371958. It is registered as a credit reference agency by the Office of Fair Trading, is registered with the Office of the Information Commissioner and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Credit Reporting Agency Limited is an independent company with no links to any government agency, lender, credit card company, bank or building society. Since March 2000, Credit Reporting Agency Limited has helped over 1.25 million consumers to find their credit scores, credit ratings, credit reports and lenders most likely to say yes. It was the first company to provide online credit reports to UK consumers and the first company in the World to provide credit scores to consumers. Our annual Banking and Credit Card Survey is one of the largest of its kind and gives you the opportunity to provide feedback about banks, building societies and credit card companies, we make the results available to our customers so they can make more informed decisions about who to deal with. UNQUOTE. Dates: Active: Devon & Cornwall: 2 June 2006 1 Wales & West 1 July 2006 2 London 1 August 2006 3 West Midlands 1 September 2006 4 Scotland 1 October 2006 5 South East & South 1 November 2006 6 North West & Northern Ireland 1 December2006 7 North East & Cumbria 1 January 2007 8 East Midlands 1 February 2007 9 East 1 March 2007 10 Yorkshire & Humber 1 April 2007 Elaine ;-)

BRILLIANT. Thankyou Helen, this is much appreciated. My area isn't yet live ... but I have now registered, so hopefully, it will help to get more regions active. I have just rung a friend in Cornwall .... and sent these details to the family .... so hopefully they will be able to use the site. THANK YOU. I'll be passing the word around.... Elaine ;-) Since Helen works in a Bank ... I imagine that the site in question would have been 'vetted' in some way before being released to staff ????

Hmmmm seems a very easy way for credit agencies to get your details for free, wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. Ria

And what an excellent way for them to have your contact details - which they can then feed into their credit computer which links with all the others in the country plus bombard you with emails. Sounds to me like you're volunteering to be watched by big brother. I'd rather pay my £2.

How do they know you are who you say you are? Could you not set up an email address in any name you want, then register as that person, put in their address and d.o.b. and get their credit details? It's not that hard to discover someone's date of birth (as we all know on this site), and that's all the proof of identity that they seem to be asking for. Sounds extremely dangerous to me. Tina

If they can get so many peoples supposed criminal records so badly wrong, ar reported recently in the newspapers and on the TV news, what else can they get wrong. Thanks I will certainly have a look. Stephanie

hi helen its gill im going to try that. i agree w2ith you why should people pay for a credit report gill

www.annualcreditreport(.)co(.)uk Take out brackets. Quote from the site - Why pay £2 for your statutory credit report when you can get much more detail for free on annualcreditreport.co.uk? No gimmicks, no trial and no payment required. We believe that everyone should be able to access his or her credit report as easily as possible on a regular basis. According to our latest survey, one in three credit reports contain errors and nearly one in ten contains serious errors. Check your credit report now for peace of mind. If you’ve been declined credit, are worried about identity theft or are just curious about what’s on your credit report, this service will be invaluable to you.

See below for details of a new website which will allow you to access your report. I'm not connected to the site in any way, details were sent round at work for interested employees to see (I work at a bank) Only a few counties are available as yet, Devon and Cornwall, soon to be Wales, other places to be phased in.