Tweet
Having been thoroughly irresponsible in recent years, I've debts about which I've done nothing... I haven't had the money to pay and, hoping that some will 'just go away', have simply not bothered to contact creditors.
With no income/assets, and knowing that enforcement is unlikely, I've been totally cavalier about it - haven't even kept appropriate paperwork and hence have no idea of just who/what I owe.
However, partially because I'm now feeling slightly more-minded to act responsibly (work out an acceptable settlement where appropriate), and also because of entirely selfish reasons (I may need to rent a house, and an appalling credit record clearly won't help) I'd at least like to know just what's visible in my name.
So... 'get a basic credit report' has been my plan.
But, due to a legal name change, when I tried this a year or so ago Experian and/or Equifax (I can't remember) claim to to be unable to find me and don't seem too bothered in delving further - 'we need your exact name, and can't even find you on the Electoral Roll'.
The name change is simple: years ago, pre-2000, I legally dropped my forename and retained just the existing surname as my full legal name. HMRC, driving licence, bank accounts, etcetera were all duly updated at the time.
But, as many companies/organisations insist on having something in 'the first name box', since then I've variously appeared with a first name of 'noforename', 'x', '.', or even my surname also used as my first name.
In all cases, I've fully explained the situation to whomever at the time, and it's been their decision to use something convenient for their records - so much so that I can't even remember what's been used.
I explained this to Experian/Equifax, suggesting 'I have various debts which should be on file - all with the same surname, address and date of birth but likely with differing forenames (most of which I can't remember, and for which I have no paperwork. Surely something must show up, but you say you can't find any record of me.'
Being selfish in a 'let sleeping dogs lie' way, I'm not keen to unduly disturb things... it's highly unlikely that I'll be able to pay everything, and I don't really want to. But, as explained, I at least want to know what's showing on the credit file.
So, I'm minded to reapply for a basic credit report in my current name - hoping that not all adverse info is recorded.
But, trying to do this online immediately raises an issue: the 'please use the name that you use for official documents' thing. And I suspect there'll be something about 'all other names you've been known by'... not all of which I can remember.
Surely their records would show multiple entries, likely aliased and/or otherwise noted, with the same date of birth?
What's the procedure for someone credit-checking me? Am I right to assume they'd check solely on the name I supply them, and that without further investigation only that name and any on-file aliases would be returned?
As I mentioned, I'm morally divided between 'coming clean and keeping quiet'.
Suggestions appreciate - please/thanks/etcetera.
UPDATE:
Having looked around the forums, I realise I should probably have posted this in the CRA section; and info there suggests that I should maybe just try to get a Statutory Report using a template letter with my name and date of birth.
But I'm sure that they'll simply ask for more info, and that's likely to lead to more aliases being linked (which seems to be in accord with 'It's also worth remembering there are times when requesting your credit report is the very last thing you should do.').
With no income/assets, and knowing that enforcement is unlikely, I've been totally cavalier about it - haven't even kept appropriate paperwork and hence have no idea of just who/what I owe.
However, partially because I'm now feeling slightly more-minded to act responsibly (work out an acceptable settlement where appropriate), and also because of entirely selfish reasons (I may need to rent a house, and an appalling credit record clearly won't help) I'd at least like to know just what's visible in my name.
So... 'get a basic credit report' has been my plan.
But, due to a legal name change, when I tried this a year or so ago Experian and/or Equifax (I can't remember) claim to to be unable to find me and don't seem too bothered in delving further - 'we need your exact name, and can't even find you on the Electoral Roll'.
The name change is simple: years ago, pre-2000, I legally dropped my forename and retained just the existing surname as my full legal name. HMRC, driving licence, bank accounts, etcetera were all duly updated at the time.
But, as many companies/organisations insist on having something in 'the first name box', since then I've variously appeared with a first name of 'noforename', 'x', '.', or even my surname also used as my first name.
In all cases, I've fully explained the situation to whomever at the time, and it's been their decision to use something convenient for their records - so much so that I can't even remember what's been used.
I explained this to Experian/Equifax, suggesting 'I have various debts which should be on file - all with the same surname, address and date of birth but likely with differing forenames (most of which I can't remember, and for which I have no paperwork. Surely something must show up, but you say you can't find any record of me.'
Being selfish in a 'let sleeping dogs lie' way, I'm not keen to unduly disturb things... it's highly unlikely that I'll be able to pay everything, and I don't really want to. But, as explained, I at least want to know what's showing on the credit file.
So, I'm minded to reapply for a basic credit report in my current name - hoping that not all adverse info is recorded.
But, trying to do this online immediately raises an issue: the 'please use the name that you use for official documents' thing. And I suspect there'll be something about 'all other names you've been known by'... not all of which I can remember.
Surely their records would show multiple entries, likely aliased and/or otherwise noted, with the same date of birth?
What's the procedure for someone credit-checking me? Am I right to assume they'd check solely on the name I supply them, and that without further investigation only that name and any on-file aliases would be returned?
As I mentioned, I'm morally divided between 'coming clean and keeping quiet'.
Suggestions appreciate - please/thanks/etcetera.
UPDATE:
Having looked around the forums, I realise I should probably have posted this in the CRA section; and info there suggests that I should maybe just try to get a Statutory Report using a template letter with my name and date of birth.
But I'm sure that they'll simply ask for more info, and that's likely to lead to more aliases being linked (which seems to be in accord with 'It's also worth remembering there are times when requesting your credit report is the very last thing you should do.').
