Good luck.It's not an easy one to win on. I will be delighted to hear if you win.I had two cases where even I had to give up and I don't do that lightly.

Thanks particularly pro. Fortunately it is a small matter in theory but a big matter to me in principle so I will persevere and mentally put up the aggravation compensation as I go.

I understand the requirements (and the benefit) of the DPA but it seems to get 'overdone' by so many organisations these days.I think 'unqualified' staff often use it without really knowing whether in the circumstances it is valid or not.They just naturally err on the side of caution.I have had my own 'set too's' about it and it's highly frustrating.

I have no good ideas T&T other than those you are pursuing and perseverance.Ultmately,it must resolve,it just so annoying.Some great advice from pro though.

In my days of working for a major high street bank the DPA was often drummed into us.

We could not release information to third parties unless we were required to by law (ie potential fraud), or as a result of a court order, or that there was a risk to the bank or if we had the express consent, either verbally or in writing (and preferably the latter), OF THE CUSTOMER.

I think you are being led a merry-dance. I would still send the letters by registered mail and if nothing happens consult a solicitor or Citizens Advice.

Thank you pro for confirming what was commonsense to me. I have put this to both sides and particularly my bank on at least two occasions but it says it cannot be done because of The DPA. HOWEVER subsequent to this a staff member volunteered that she would send an e mail to 'switching' dept and it would 'speak' to the other side and then phone me this Tuesday. Subsequent to this yesterday I had a 35 min call from my bank APOLOGISING for its staff member because it cannot contact the other side because of The DPA but it will willingly do a letter for me. Unfortunately the other side won't accept a letter. I cannot believe that this is correct but can do nothing about it immediately.

Any further thoughts you may have would be welcome.

Just going off-topic here time&tide but when two financial institutions claim they cannot communicate on a mutual matter regarding your finances because of the 'Data Protection Act', please remember that they can if you give them your written consent to do so - that is in the Act.

Send it to both of them quoting any relevant reference numbers, and send it by recorded mail so they have to sign for it and you have a record. You may have done this but if not, give it a try.

And tracey, backfoot is right (to a point). Banks don't have to take your business and neither do they have to give you a reason for doing so. However they cannot quote reasons for doing so which are not true.

And there is a difference between credit scoring and credit history. Your credit history maybe impeccable but you may have failed on your credit scoring. This works on whether you own your own home or rent, whether you own a car or not, how long you have been with your present employer or if you change jobs regularly, even down to whether you have a landline for your main phone or that it is a mobile phone. Lenders have different scoring methods so one institution may lend on the figures given whilst another may not, on the same information. Also that lenders change their scoring methods frequently.

It is a strange set of circumstances.I could be affected the same as you as I use 0% finance on credit cards but always clear the balance at the relevant time.I am very sympathetic.

What struck me was the thought that ,can the lenders refuse to deal with you 'just because they want to'. i.e.isn't it just up to them to decide who they trade with? Does anyone have chapter and verse on whether they are obliged to give good reason for their refusal?

Dear tracey

For reasons I won't bore you with your post has struck a real chord with me as yesterday I was continuing to try and sort out a situation which my bank says shows me as the victim but the large institution on the other side says is my bank's fault and neither side can communicate because of the Data Protection Act. Although my credit rating shouldn't be affected your "angry and upset..." sentence describes me to a tee. It is incredibly frustrating.

Now the best I can think of is you have a letter from Sky which is flatly contradicted by Experian/Equifax. On the information available here I would write to Sky, recorded delivery, and tell it of the contradiction and ask it if it still stands by its letter. If so how does it explain Experian/Equifax and if not what did it base its decision on. If you can prove Sky had no basis in fact for its letter I would treat this as a very serious matter indeed and ask for substantial compensation making it clear that an apology has been so devalued by institutions intent on saving money on compensation that the only apology worth having is cash.

Good luck!

Tracey

I suspect the problem is that your credit is too good. Banks are in business to make a profit and your using of zero %age credit cards is scaring them off. They will penalise people who they can't make any money out of. They prefer people like me, who are usually always near the limit, never quite going over and always paying the interest off in time.

Sandy

6000 84 mths 8%.

Can I ask what rate you had and on how much and over what period?
Tracey

i also had this problem recently and found the only reasonable apr loan via aa finance they were very helpful .
hope this helps.

Thank you Dave. I will try this and see what the outcome is. I am reluctant to try another c/card company as I think this only aggrevates your credit score, so I will try Sky card again.

Might also be worth going to the bank armed with your credir report and ask them what their problem is. When they say your credit report, produce it and ask them to explain. This may highlight the true reason behind their refusal, or identify that the reason they are using is a false assumption which can therefore be corrected and the application accepted.

Dave

Yes I might well do that out of peace of mind to be honest. Its extremely annoying and frustrating especially when you know your credit file is ok. Thanks Dem.