Default - Try to get it sorted or wait????

tates1979

Hey Folks

Ive been tryin to get finances sorted recently, student loans etc should all be cleared within a year!! However, have been trying to clean up my credit file and have been listening to a lot of advice on the board..

I recently obtained a copy of my credit file from experian, which it shows a default. I expected this, owing to an old mobile phone bill that mucked up while i was away travelling (long story). Anyway, i knew that it had been flagged as a default when I applied to my bank for a credit card, and the bank manager had no prob issuing me with a card (because of my good hsitory with them etc), but said that i should look into getting the default sorted.

Ive now had a capital one credit card for a year (secured one) and one from my bank for the past two months, everything is immaculate with them on my credit file, all payments on time etc so i am working toward rebuilding credit rating. However, i need advice:

On my credit file the sum of £141 has been defaulted in July 01 (so basically another 16 months til it clears?). It was from Orange PCS (mobile phone bill). However, it has been marked as "satisified" although i cant remember paying anything - is it possible theyve sold this debt on to another company???

If so, is there any way I could get it taken off (ive read everything about the whole 28 days rule) by writing / ringing orange and offering the sum to be settled, or do i risk opening a can of worms by contacting them if its with another company?

I dont really mind waiting another year or so if its off then anyway, but was just wondering what you guys thought the best plan of attack for me??

Cheers in advance for your help!!

t79

TAG

It's up to the company that registered the default to withdraw it from your credit file. They are the only ones that can do that.

If you don't know if you paid or not I would suggest that you probably didn't and that the debt was sold on to a debt collection agency which would explain why it's listed as satisfied.

For the sake of 16 months I wouldn't bother. It obviously isn't affecting your credit that much as you now have 2 credit cards. The fact it shows as satisfied will count towards you.

Hope that helps

Old_iron_balls

Ive read somewhere that if you write to the company who filed the default and ask/beg them to remove it they may do it.

I think it would be highly unlikely they would though
Ive not heard of anyone doing it. anyone ?

I have a satisfied default with Capitol one that got three years left to run. one day ill get rouind to writing to them. its worth a try !?

beeniemac

Debt collectors work on a commission basis, the debts aren't 'sold on' as such. I think orange have made a mistake in marking the default as satisfied.

I do about half of the default amendments for a rather large untility company. A lot of the requests to delete a default come from sales who have agreed with a customer to delete the default if the customer signs back up with us. May be an idea?

roswell

Iv had a default removed once it was satisfied, just raise a queury with the credit agency they will look into it for you if the company that issues the default doesnt reply to the credit agency they remove it, but as said if its only going to be there 16 months id just leave it. ( mine was due to over charging by O2)

TAG

beeniemac wrote:

Debt collectors work on a commission basis, the debts aren't 'sold on' as such. I think orange have made a mistake in marking the default as satisfied.

I do about half of the default amendments for a rather large untility company. A lot of the requests to delete a default come from sales who have agreed with a customer to delete the default if the customer signs back up with us. May be an idea?

A default can be marked as satisfied by a company if they have passed it on to a debt collection agency. This isn't the first time I've come across this. So it doesn't mean to say that Orange have made a mistake. After all they no longer 'own' the debt do they?

As I've said already personally I'd not open up a possible can of worms. It's up to you though.

tates1979

Folks. further to what i was writing about earlier, i had a look at the following site that was referenced here on a mse thread:

http://www.learnmoney.co.uk/credit-cards/remove_default_notice.html

In this, it says that (basically, i think) that if a company is unable to provide you with a copy of your credit agreement and default notices, then there is some case for them having to wip your default off.

Is this correct?

Just to sound them out, I sent orange a request for the signed credit agreement, statement of account and copy of the default notice. Orange have since replied saying

"i can confirm that Orange do not retain copies of your original signed agreement. A mobile phone agreement is not a regulated agreement under the Consumer Credit Act as such we are not required to retain a signed copy of your agreement"

Can any of you MSE'rs shed any light on it? Should i proceed further as in the examples on the above website?

Thanks!!

tates1979

Anyone help?