Credit File incorrect Vanquis bank

lz57s9 · 24 October 2007 at 1:25PM

Hi, I was wondering if I could get some advice, I have just cleared all outstanding debt on my credit file and expected to have better credit however in repaying a credit card earlier than their schedule I have been penalised.
It all started when an old debt caught up with me (Vanquis Card) the debt was £200 and appeared on my credit file. I got in contact with them and gave them my new address and they sent me a statement saying I needed to pay at least £10. I did this for a couple of months but then missed a payment in error, I contacted them and said can I pay this off over three months rather than £10 a month, we both agreed to pay 4 month instalments of £40. I have now done this and paid the debt off, however Vanquis have marked my credit file with an AP (Arrangement to Pay) which is looked upon negatively by the credit company. I have disputed this using both Experian and Equifax as my arrangement was to make increased payments not reduced so an AP should not apply surly?. Vanquis have instructed Equifax that the information is correct. I have also contacted Vanquis directly with little help. Is there anything I can do? Are there any specialists out there I can pay to engage Vanquis and instruct them to remove this harmful entry?.

Burlesque_Babe · 24 October 2007 at 1:43PM

Hi and Welcome.

Don't use any of the 'specialist' services out there. They will take your money and do nothing else other than advise you to do what you have already done. (can't stress not to use them strongly enough - 100% waste of money)

If your account is paid in full, ask Vanquis to mark your account as satisfied with Equifax and Experian and write to you with a letter to confirm your account is fully settled.

Any previous entries on your file (if correct) will stay there for 6 years and it sounds you did have an Arrangement to Pay as you were clearing an old debt on a personal arrangement.

I don't think there is much you can do apart from ask them to mark it as satisfied (which they will do automatically anyway in a month or so's time if you have paid in full).

lz57s9 · 24 October 2007 at 2:12PM

Thanks, i do understand this but as i am not impartial it does seem unfair that if i continued to pay £10 a month i would of received (and was until i rang and asked to pay more) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 on my credit file but becuase i agreed a higher payment they marked me negativly as AP. which has dropped my Credit rating from 461/500 to 263/500. I now cannot get a loan becuase of a silly £200 debt.

Burlesque_Babe · 24 October 2007 at 2:35PM

1 1 1 is the mark given when you are paying an account on time every month, not when it has become 'old' and you are paying it off on an arrangement with them....although reading back, did your report say 1 1 1 up to the previous month to you increasing the monthly payments??

To be honest, the credit scores don't really mean a lot as every company scores differently.

I know what you mean - I was very unwell for 6 months in 2001 and a £200 Capital One CC didn't get paid. It ended up as a CCJ for £500 which although now settled doesn't drop off until next August.

lz57s9 · 24 October 2007 at 2:55PM

Yes, although it was an old debt it only recently appeared on my file and I started paying it back immediately as to not incur a default. I know morally I don't have an argument as I was late to pay the debt back (which is probably why they don't acknowledge my complaint) but as far as my credit file goes it states 1 1 1 1 AP AP AP AP. bummer!.

rog2 · 24 October 2007 at 3:27PM

lz57s9 wrote: »

I know morally I don't have an argument as I was late to pay the debt back (which is probably why they don't acknowledge my complaint) but as far as my credit file goes it states 1 1 1 1 AP AP AP AP. bummer!.

OF COURSE you have an argument - the 'moral' side of it does not enter the equation - VANQUIS probably don't know what 'moral' means anyway.
If you have fully paid a debt then, whilst you can not automatically have the 'default' removed, you are entitled to ask for it to be marked as 'satisfied'.
I would suggest that you have a word with a financial adviser at CAB, or ring National Debtline on 0808 808 4000, as they will be better placed to advise you on how to go about things.
Make sure, if you need to write to VANQUIS/PROVIDENT that you send ANY letters by recorded delivery, and keep a copy.

lz57s9 · 24 October 2007 at 4:54PM

Thanks for this, i will ring them straight away.

PS i meant to put my account says 0 0 0 0 0 AP AP.. etc not 1 1 1 1 1.. that would be bad!.

Credit File incorrect Vanquis bank

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