Posted by Lee having been sent originally at Thursday, January 25, 2001 8:29 AM

(Sorry, I tried to add my message to the bulletin board but it wouldn't connect so I've posted it below.)

Lee

Thanks for your response.

We believe that it's very important that consumers are aware of and, more importantly, understand the information held by credit reference agencies, how it is used and what their rights are. As a result we have a consumer education programme and produce a lot of consumer education literature. Much of the information appears on our Web site (recently reworked) - see www.uk.experian.com and click 'consumer advice' - including pdf versions of our literature, such as our Credit Crossroads leaflets, and the credit file application form.

We obviously welcome any Web sites that provide accurate and informative advice to consumers about their credit files because this is beneficial to all parties. There is a lot of useful information on your Home Repossession Page. However, I have a few comments on a couple of points (below) and I would also like to suggest you add a link to our web site, so that visitors to your site can go on to obtain detailed information about obtaining and understanding their files. Here are my points:

1) There is no such thing as a Blacklist. We hold only factual information, the majority of which is positive and shows that people manage their credit commitments very well.

2) Repossession orders (whether voluntary or not) are recorded with the credit reference agencies via the CML (Council of Mortgage Lenders) and not via County Court Judgments.

3) For a copy of the information credit reference agencies make available to lenders, consumers only need to pay £2 under Section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998. They need to send the fee, their full name, DOB, current address and previous addresses over the last six years.

In relation to Experian (yes, formerly CCN but a few years ago now!) the correct address to write to is:

Consumer Help Service Experian PO Box 8000 Nottingham NG1 5GX

If you wish to discuss any of these points over the telephone my number is (0115) 934 4742, otherwise I'll await your response via e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you regarding the above and hope we can work together for the benefit of visitors to your site.

Best wishes James

James Jones Consumer Relations Executive Experian Ltd Talbot House Talbot Street NOTTINGHAM NG1 5HZ Tel: (0115) 934 4742 Fax: (0115) 934 4432 E-mail: james.jones@uk.experian.com

======================================================================= Information in this email and any attachments are confidential, and may not be copied or used by anyone other than the addressee, nor disclosed to any third party without our permission. There is no intention to create any legally binding contract or other commitment through the use of this email.

Experian Limited (registration number 653331). Registered office: Talbot House, Talbot Street, Nottingham NG1 5HF

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2001

Answers

Hi James,

Thanks for your email. I've posted it into the board so that it is on record for you.

Dealing with your points in turn:

1. "There is no blacklist". Thanks for this comment. The public continues to confuse the credit industry's various databases and consider them a single "Blacklist". The Blacklist section of the Home Repossession Page documents the considerable effort we have put into clarifying the content and ownership of these databases in an attempt to assist the public.

2. "Repossession orders (whether voluntary or not) are recorded with the credit reference agencies via the CML (Council of Mortgage Lenders) and not via County Court Judgments. " Thanks for that. I'll check the pages to see if we are giving the wrong impression about this. I have already updated the "Real Story behind Blacklisting" page to reflect your comment.

3. "For a copy of the information credit reference agencies make available to lenders, consumers only need to pay £2 under Section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998. " There is a detailed discussion of the fees for different types of subject access right notice and credit reference agency search on several pages of the site. The primary source is in the material on how to use the Data Protection Act (indexed two or three links below the link to our material about Experian) and in the section on CIFAS.

4. I have updated the address we have for Experian in the "Real Story behind Blacklisting" page.

I am pleased to be able to say that I have added a link to your website from the page detailing Experian's records.

May I pose a question? How would Experian respond to people that want to serve a full [pounds]10 subject access rights notice on the agency, as opposed to a [pounds]2 credit reference agency data check?

Thank you for your help with this.

Lee

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2001

Lee

Thanks for your swift response.

I've not had chance to have another look at your site yet but I will hopefully have a browse again later this afternoon. Thanks also for the various updates you have made so far and for adding a link to our Web site. I'm away next week but I hope to continue our discussion on my return.

In relation to £10 Data Subject Access requests, like any other company Experian has a legal duty to respond to specific requests under this section of the Act within 40 days, once all relevant information etc has been received. However, most people who contact us simply want a copy of the information provided to lenders and are able to take advantage of the fast-track facility whereby a copy of their file is provided within seven working days, for only £2.

We'll talk again soon.

Best wishes James

-- Anonymous, January 26, 2001