Experian have been kind enough to send lots of advice to Free ID Protection Notice of Correction applicants. They do this to ensure that individuals are fully aware of all their available options. Our recently updated Notice of Correction letter to Experian explains to them that you’ve read and understood their standard letter.

 Experian’s standard letter.

 As requested I am adding the following Notice of Correction to your Credit Report:

[Your Notice of Correction (see notes *)]

Your report will change in the next seven days. Please use this letter if you need proof in the meantime.

Please note that we are only able to add text within a Notice of Correction statement and will not be able to add a copy of the thumbprint you have supplied, either as an image file or in hard copy format *1

A Notice of Correction statement is only an added security measure and not an absolute guarantee that your identity will be protected. *2

When a Notice of Correction appears against information recorded in your name it will cause any application you make to refer out of the automated decision-making process so that the company concerned can read and assess the Notice. *3

When we add a Notice of Correction regarding the issue of Identity Theft we always place this against the electoral roll information in your name. This means you will still need to notify us if you move address to ensure the information is properly updated. *4

We usually suggest that a Notice of Correction containing a password is added to your report if you have concerns regarding Identity Theft. Adding a password instead of requesting that all applications are accompanied by a thumbprint will potentially help speed up the application process and will still allow you to make applications over the telephone and internet should you wish to do so. You could also still advise that you will be placing your thumbprint next to your signature on any contract signed as a result of a successful application. *5

I would therefore suggest that you might like to consider using the following wording instead:

“I wish to inform lenders that I am concerned my details may be used fraudulently in attempts to obtain credit in my name. I therefore wish to use the Password******in any genuine credit application made by myself.

I would also like it noted that when my signature is required for any financial service or production Ill will authenticate it with my thumbprint.”

If you would like this adding to your report instead, please confirm this to us in writing and provide a password that you would like to use.

If you are concerned that somebody has been applying for credit using your address details you may wish to contact the CIFAS Protective Registration Service. For a small fee they can place a warning on all the credit reference agencies records advising companies to be careful to establish the validity of any application received from your property. Should you wish to apply for CIFAS Protective Registration, you can contact them on the following number:

CIFAS Protective Registration: 0870 241 6212

It may also be beneficial for you to regularly monitor your credit report to ensure that no applications are being made in your name without your knowledge. Our own CreditExpert Monitoring Service offers its members unlimited online access to their Experian credit report and also alerts them by e-mail or SMS of significant changes to their information. You may wish to visit www.creditexpert.co.uk for further information.

 * [Key to Free ID Protections Comments]

1: You needn’t thumbprint your Notice of Correction letters. However you will need to Thumbprint any changes in the future.

2: This is absolutely true. No system can guarantee you a 100% protection from ID theft. But to date, no one embracing this system has fallen victim to ID Theft (Application Fraud).

3: Adding a Thumbprint Notice of Correction does mean that your application will be processed manually. A person and not a machine will be acting on your instructions. Your application won’t be turned down. It will just take a little longer to process. Security over-rides speed. A small price to pay for added security.

4 This is the essence of Thumbprinting. Even if a crook hi-jacks your address and moves your Credit File to another address, any further applications the crook submits will be subject to your Notice of Correction.

5: You can still make applications over the telephone and the Internet. What happens is that you should be sent a paper application to sign, append your Thumbprint and return.