Paying an old debt to another address affect my credit?

meds12_2

Hi all!
hope you can help. 4 1/2 years ago I defaulted on a phone bill over an argument with the company over extra charges I did not agree about (took phone abroad and asked them before I went how much per minute I would be charged - the actual amount was much, much higher).

Today I received a letter, forwarded from my Mum's address (which I haven't lived at for 10years,) asking for the money for this bill. Now it is my debt, and I want to pay it, but don't want to wreck my credit by doing it! Was planning to wait another 1 1/2yrs until the address I lived at when I defaulted dropped off my credit file, and then apply for a mortgage, as apart from this, my managing of credit has been extrememly good.

My question is - as they have "tracked me down" to my Mum's address, and they don't have my current address, will settling the bill from her address get onto my credit file? I don't want her to be harassed by constant letters / heavies so would like to pay asap! I also assume it wouldn't damage her credit rating as it isn't in her name?

Best wishes - hope you can help!

meds12_2

Also need to add - I defaulted the account in 2004, but the letter that arrives said 2006! Is there anyway that I can get this amended?

meds12_2

anyone? Should have used a bold font for posting!

jscalow

they have sent a letter to all of your known addrs where they have been able to see a trace of you in the hope that one of the letters will be passed to you. a bit like fishing, the more baited hooks, the more you catch. as soon as you respond they will update there details to include your new addr, phone number etc, then the letters and calls will really start to pour in till you pay.

meds12_2

so what do you advise? I'm annoyed they changed the default date! Happy to pay as long as they change it back! My mum gets really worried about these sorts of things and don't want her to be bombarded with mail for the next 4 years (based on their *new* default date). Also it looks like its not a CCJ - which was what I was really worried about (haven't checked my credit files as this will link me to the old address where I defaulted) and it seems that, from searching the internet, the debt will be free from credit files 6 years after my default date, and not payment date.

Thanks for your reply!