Defaults, How long should they stick on Credit Reference?

Salsa_2-2

I wonder if anyone can offer some insight into my situation.

About 6 years ago, I had a mobile phone with Vodafone. I moved house, and managed to overlook the outstanding bill, as I had just got a new mobile.

The total amount was for £115-ish, and as I was unaware of it, it eventually defaulted in November 1999.

I try not to use credit where possible, but when I applied for some last year, I was declined. I applied to Experian, and found the offending default, and made full payment immediately. This was in August last year.

This is the only time I have ever defaulted on a commitment, and have had an impeccable credit record for the past 4 years.

I am now finding that this default is still stopping me from getting credit etc. How long should this stay on my records? Originally I was told 6 years from date of default, so should be coming off in November.

Some companies have recently told me it is 6 years from date of satisfaction - meaning that this overlooked account will hinder me for another 5 years and so 11 years in total - is this correct?

Can anyone tell me categorically how this system works? I'm getting a bit worried, as it is a major irritance, not to be able to take advantage of better loan/ credit card rates because of a 6 year old debt......

file_wizzard

6 Years from the date of default,

if it dose not drop of automatically then you will need to contact the data controller in question ( Vodaphone ) and request that it is removed

Salsa_2-2

Thanks! As I have now paid it off is there any chance I can get it removed early?

I presume that this is entirely up to Vodafone themselves, and if they write to experian etc, then it can be removed with their authorisation?

file_wizzard

Salsa wrote:

Thanks! As I have now paid it off is there any chance I can get it removed early?

I presume that this is entirely up to Vodafone themselves, and if they write to experian etc, then it can be removed with their authorisation?

probably not, a default is a default

there are ways to force a removal, but if it is due to drop off this November anyway I would save yourself the hassle and just wait a few weeks

System

Also, after November, make sure the default has been removed from not just Experian's file, but also from Equifax and CallCredit too. (Different lenders can use different Credit Ref Agencies)

Salsa_2-2

OK Thanks, I assume I will need to write to each individually, and that there is no centralised place to do this?

file_wizzard

No,

but you can apply online via the following;

http://www.callcredit.co.uk/corporate_scripts/consumer_creditreport.asp

https://www.econsumer.equifax.co.uk/consumer/uk/sitepage.ehtml?forward=gb_elearning_credit14

http://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/index.html?order