THE HULME TUNE

Why should we pay for Experian or other CS company mistakes in giving credit risk assessments that are wrong?

I just opened a Barclays Bank account and put money into it. Then I went and contacted the people who pay money into my account and those that take some out every month.

A month later, I went back to Barclays Bank, Market Street, Manchester, and asked for a DEBIT card and cheque book. Fair enough. I have these services at LloydsTSB. So, I would imagine that Barclays would give me the same. Right? Wrong!

The bank did a credit check.. hold on! A ‘credit check’, not for “credit” or a loan or a credit card or a mortgage.. but for me to use MY MONEY in a useful way to shop online and send money by post to love ones.

I felt really humiliated that Barclays Bank refused me on the grounds of a credit check at Experian. WHAT? I explained to the man that I AM NOT BORROWING MONEY AND LLOYDS TSB ALREADY GIVE ME THOSE SERVICES.

I didn’t want to borrow money, buy on credit, pay over a time period, take a mortgage out, have a credit card or arrange a large overdraft. I just wanted to use my account like I have at LloydsTSB.

He did suggest that I PAY to have my ‘credit score’ checked. I told him what he could do with his bank, in a nice way of course. Pay? For what? So, Barclays Bank want me to pay the company, Experian in this case, that said “No” unreasonably? Barclays Bank must be joking? Barclays don’t want my money then? Then Barclays say I must take it up with Experian myself and pay for their misjudgment.

A credit score to open an account at Barclays Bank and use the services? A few years ago all you needed was a £1 to open an account and get the services you need. It’s the basic requirements. I’m changing bank asap! Maybe stay with LloydsTSB if the other 2 are just as bad.

How do you avoid this? Well, find out if you are black listed by any company. Go into different banks or stores that use credit scoring and tell them that you want to take a service but not sure if you’ll score. This service is then free as the bank or store will pay for this, to do it yourself will cost you. Ask which one it is. Then you’ll know for sure and this will save you time and keep a note of the stores that do use them.

The easiest way to pay is to save up and buy it straight away, you won’t have to pay interest then and you could bag a bargain if there’s a sale on or barter for cash payment. The store should not need to ask you for sensitive information then or be embarrassed when it says “no”.

Before you open an account or use a service or purchase an item, ask them which credit scoring company they use. If they say the one you that has black listed you, you can then walk out and go to a number of others - you can choose.

Better still, go to the CAB and get good advice about credit scoring.

You could write to the credit scoring company and pay to have your good name cleared. But, if they have black listed you, then why pay for their error? Why can we not take such a company to court for defamation of character, this is what it really boils down to; they’re saying in effect that you are not trustworthy and bad with money, a high risk - even though you’ve paid every bill and never been to court over finances?

Yet, another credit scoring company will give me the thumbs up. Tough, Barclays, you used the wrong one and I’m taking my money somewhere else.

Off-shore banking is better if you have loadsa dosh. I’ve been disgusted with British banks and their rip-off illegal high charges.

To be fair Barcalys Bank say they are to reduce their overdraft fee.

If you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person, saying that he or she is a company engineer, or telling that they’re checking your mobile line, and you have to press #90 or #09 or any other number, end this call immediately without pressing any numbers.

There is a fraud company using a device that once you press #90 or #09 they can access your ‘SIM’ card and make calls at your expense. Forward this message to as many colleagues, relatives and friends as you can, to stop it.

Many thanks for your time regarding this matter, take care and regards.

Phil Corris
Police Constable/Crime Prevention Officer
Ext 496696 (Internal)
01524 596696 (External)
Email PhilCorris@lancashire.pnn www.police.uk

I’ve just had a couple of text messages to my ‘3′ mobile phone saying:

FreeMsg: We have you listed as a In-active user, Please text ‘Live’ back to us on ‘81456‘ or your service will be suspended.

Notice the poor English “.. a In-active..” and “… user, Please..” a capital letter after a comma. In the from bar, they put your service provider like ‘3′. And because this is in your contacts as default, it’s easy to presume it’s from your mobile phone service provider. IT IS NOT.

Replying to this text will cost £3.50 each text, it is a premium rate text service. They will send a second message:

You are now Live! details have been forwarded to your email account, thankyou once again. Full T & C apply, please see your email for detials.

Again, very poor English grammar and poor spelling.

Then they send you another like the first saying that the user,

..must respond only to ‘81456‘ with the text ‘Live’ failure to do so..

So, in effect you are sending a second premium rate text to 81456. Now they have charged £7.00 to your mobile phone account bill.

If you have been a victim of this scam, you need to contact your phone’s service provider immediately. If you do get one then ask your provider for advice.

There are energy company representitives, in uniform and wearing ID badges, going around Hulme calling at homes and businesses unexpectedly. Yet, these people are really from the company they say they are from. So, why knock on our doors in Hulme?