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Personal data firm in 'big brother' move

25 August 2010
Written by rosalind renshaw

In a ‘big brother’ move, global information services company Experian is to offer a new alert service, tipping off banks, lenders, insurers and utility companies when any of their customers puts their property up for sale or rent.

Experian, which provides information to tenancy checking firms,  cites the advantages to organisations as including the ability to acquire and manage customers, and help prevent buy-to-let fraud activity.

The service will use compliant data from a wide range of property sources.

Nick Evans, head of customer management at Experian, said: “As the population becomes increasingly mobile, it is vital for organisations to keep track of where their customers live and anticipate future moves and changes in circumstances.

“Previously, lenders, banks, utility companies and other service providers have usually had little or no warning that a customer is looking to move.

“A house move represents a key opportunity to retain and sell new products to a customer. A move is also a prime opportunity for fraud to occur, and for credit and other service providers to lose track of customers and be left with dormant or outstanding accounts.”

Comments

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    My understanding was that Experian (and others)were being co-opted by certain Government departments to relay changes in clients financial position, e.g. new loans, increased credit facilities; so that those claiming benefits, low income self-employed, etc could be targeted for more tax/less benefit etc.

    • 02 September 2010 13:19 PM
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    Big Brother it indeed is!
    We have been warned for years about these types of companies and of supermaket 'loyalty' cards etc. etc. - be wise, don't use them. These companies use our personal info for their own maniplulative causes - it is nothing to do with 'helping' US at all - it is about control.

    Again, be warned!

    • 25 August 2010 15:08 PM
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    How will they know that data for sure? Scrape rightmove?? is there "EPC ordered" central databaase??

    • 25 August 2010 13:26 PM
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    "lenders, banks, utility companies and other service providers have usually had little or no warning that a customer is looking to move"

    Should they? Moving house is a time to start a fresh beginning and review the services you have received. This involves contacting GOOD service providers to resume the service at your new address (which certainly DOES happen). It also allows you to contact others and cancel their service if you no longer need it or are simply not happy with it.

    The calls that lead from this will generally be of annoyance to people, while they deal with the stress of moving house.

    Let them make their own decision rather than bombard with pressure calls, selling services they were not happy with anyway, as well as new ones that they don't want.

    Anyway, its all pointless. I've had 4 different providers telling me they provide the "cheapest" gas and electric in the area.

    • 25 August 2010 11:04 AM
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