I have debts which I know are statute barred i.e. no acknowledgement or payments for over 7 years now. I had re-built my credit report and even had a new credit account with Next which was kept clean and tidy for over a year. The credit reports were looking good until last month I tried to purchase something in Next on my card and it was declined; Next had cancelled the account after checking with Equifax saying my credit score was bad. I checked with Equifax who said my credit score was excellent but a number of credit searches had been done and showing on the account by DCA's stating "Outstanding Debt" in the reason column.

Have Equifax made a mistake in placing in the credit searches table? Are the DCA's allowed the do a credit search on the account which shows up and effects my ability to re-build my credit report and my life? In the past I have written the Statute Barred letter to the DCA's however they say they will no longer contact me regarding the debt but then just sell the debt onto another DCA when they don't get anywhere.

Please advise I am at my wits end!

Hi

I have seen this happen before. A relative of mine has statute barred debt and their debts have continued to be sold on. Luckily they live in Spain and therefore the UK credit record searches are not an issue.

If I were in your position I would make enquiries with the ICO regarding Data Protection issues, the OFT about the conduct of DCA's and maybe also the FOS to see if a complaint could be made about the searches.

ICO link https://www.ico.gov.uk/Global/contact_us.aspx

OFT link http://www.oft.gov.uk/contactus

FOS link http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/contact/index.html

I am not sure Experian and Equifax would be much help if you contacted them. They provide a service to the financial services organisations and would not be willing to block the searches. This problem is currently being reviewed by government and the House of Commons Treasury Select committee. Martin Lewis from Moneysavingexpert is currently on the case regarding this issue, so you could also send him your information via that site.

If the ICO, OFT or FOS were willing to take on a complaint, this may be the only way to resolve this. But it will be an uphill battle which is not going to be quickly resolved.

Huckster