Debts & defaults at old address?

hart_2

Hello can anyone help.

I am still monitoring my credit file at an old address where I still have a few defaults left with about 2-3 years to run, most of the other stuff has either dropped off or the lender has removed it from my file.

I then moved abroad for a few years and have been back and have a new address that's not linked to my old credit file but I would still like to know if I can do anything to try and get these old defaults removed, I have never entered into any arrangement to pay or offer settlement, I just forgot about them. I expect these agreements are likely to be unenforceable, they were taken out in the early 2000's.

What I would like to know is if I made contact with these lenders/DCA's now, do you have to provide your current address where you are living or can you use an office address, mailbox address etc. Reason, I obviously don't want a link created to my current address, which I assume these people would do straight away, thus messing up my credit re-building exercise.

I haven't applied for any credit at my current address but I am on the electoral roll and have managed to open a current account with debit card etc but I would like to have new credit/loan etc and if I could tidy up my old file maybe a link then wouldn't be too bad.

Seems like there are a few wise owls on this thread so I would be interested to hear your views as to how you would play it?

never-in-doubt

hart wrote: »

Hello can anyone help.

I am still monitoring my credit file at an old address where I still have a few defaults left with about 2-3 years to run, most of the other stuff has either dropped off or the lender has removed it from my file.

I then moved abroad for a few years and have been back and have a new address that's not linked to my old credit file but I would still like to know if I can do anything to try and get these old defaults removed, I have never entered into any arrangement to pay or offer settlement, I just forgot about them. I expect these agreements are likely to be unenforceable, they were taken out in the early 2000's.

What I would like to know is if I made contact with these lenders/DCA's now, do you have to provide your current address where you are living or can you use an office address, mailbox address etc. Reason, I obviously don't want a link created to my current address, which I assume these people would do straight away, thus messing up my credit re-building exercise.

I haven't applied for any credit at my current address but I am on the electoral roll and have managed to open a current account with debit card etc but I would like to have new credit/loan etc and if I could tidy up my old file maybe a link then wouldn't be too bad.

Seems like there are a few wise owls on this thread so I would be interested to hear your views as to how you would play it?

They are old; at an old address; thus they are no longer related to you are they? So long as you do not mention this other address when you apply for credit then it will not link to you.

A link will only be created if there is a link between the old address and the new one, evidently this can;t happen (unless you use it as a previous address of course)... Your new bank account will be earning you the stability needed (i.e. if this is your only account then go for their credit card for the time being cos they have history on you)

Personally, i'd be ignoring everything from the old address and move forward with my life.

leemuddywaters

never-in-doubt wrote: »

They are old; at an old address; thus they are no longer related to you are they? So long as you do not mention this other address when you apply for credit then it will not link to you.

A link will only be created if there is a link between the old address and the new one, evidently this can;t happen (unless you use it as a previous address of course)... Your new bank account will be earning you the stability needed (i.e. if this is your only account then go for their credit card for the time being cos they have history on you)

Personally, i'd be ignoring everything from the old address and move forward with my life.

Surely though when he applies for credit then will check his history?

never-in-doubt

They will yes, but they only ask for 3 years (address history) and assuming that he doesn't use the previous address then he'll be fine.

hart_2

sorry about the duplications!

Anyway, thanks for replies so far.

The problem is I can only show my current and last address back to around June/July 2008, so well under 3yrs. I managed to open a Bank account, lets say with the guidance of one of the staff, I think I was put down as living at my last address 3 years! I have not applied for credit as I'm sure they will want last 3 years addresses as you say, which I can't satisfy. Hope I'm not in Limbo for another 18 months!

I haven't applied for my new credit file as I'm unsure if the CRA's will match me on their system and if so are they legally permitted to create the link themselves?

I took the view that as I can check my old credit file and as there is no link to my new address, its best not to do anything to create a potential problem. Maybe I'm worrying to much for thinking that their systems are very sophisticated!

Still it would be good to hear from anyone else with credit rebuilding skills?

never-in-doubt

hart wrote: »

sorry about the duplications!

Anyway, thanks for replies so far.

The problem is I can only show my current and last address back to around June/July 2008, so well under 3yrs. I managed to open a Bank account, lets say with the guidance of one of the staff, I think I was put down as living at my last address 3 years! I have not applied for credit as I'm sure they will want last 3 years addresses as you say, which I can't satisfy. Hope I'm not in Limbo for another 18 months!

I haven't applied for my new credit file as I'm unsure if the CRA's will match me on their system and if so are they legally permitted to create the link themselves?

I took the view that as I can check my old credit file and as there is no link to my new address, its best not to do anything to create a potential problem. Maybe I'm worrying to much for thinking that their systems are very sophisticated!

Still it would be good to hear from anyone else with credit rebuilding skills?

You're spot on in what you're saying but yes - you do need to keep low and do not apply for your credit file as this will create a link. So in essence, you say you lived at your current address for 3 years even if it was only 18 months.... so long as you show on electoral register then you can blag it by saying you didn't think to get added and it took a while to update.....

hart_2

nid... what you you suggest as the easiest lenders to try first, catalogue /mail order company, storecard, mobile phone company. Any names worth a try? thanks

worried_jim

If you apply for your file and dont give any prev addresses or give any old addrs when making any applications for credit a link wont be made. But if you do expect everyone who you owe money to to be in contact within days and recovery procedures to start.
I will point out this is exactly the type of fraud I look for at work and if you had been one of my customers the moment you said that you had been out of the UK for a period of time I would be looking at your application with great interest as you have now committed fraud. Be very careful with what you do next and I would advise that you make no further applications with any provider until six years have passed and any old debts have dropped off your file. If the bank do discover this old debt they will make the link on your credit file for all other credit providers including the ones you owe money to for you.

never-in-doubt

I agree with Jim - best to hold fire for at least another year or so...... Usually after 3 years the account becomes dormant and the trace agents do one annual check so you have a better chance of 'hiding' plus you'll meet the 3 year address history.

I'd just hold fire and wait til you've been at the same address for 3 years so you don;t need to give any previous addresses. It just aint worth it really....

hart_2

Kind of what I expected really, its why I was looking to sort out a few old defaults but I just wanted to know if there was a legal way of doing it without giving the scummy DCA's my current address! I just wanted to know if it legal to approach them via 3rd party/agent acting on my behalf, say using their offices as a means of communication? I'm sure these old agreements will be un-enforceable too, a few lenders have even deleted data from my old file too (about 10k got wiped off, a bit of a gift than one lol!)

I would prefer to do this as even if they have to be paid a small sum to full & final there would be the opportunity to negotiate the removal of the data or restting or data to show nothing onerous, especially as the data is already old, I doubt any of the lenders/DCA's still have any of the files, they gave up many years ago. That way I can then give my previous addresses for any new applications and do things correctly?

never-in-doubt

No, the minute you start messing about and lying to people then N Hunter and CIFAS register markers against your name - just forget the past and move on! You will never negotiate removal of default with these lenders nor will you be able to trick them - the systems in place are just too good and the only way to avoid 6 years of damage is to sit tight and wait until you've been at this address for 3 years.

The last thing you should do, IMO, is to mention your name at that old address again - things like GAIN and the DCA's annual search (trace) will plug you and then you'll have a load of hassle - just wait and be patient!

You'll regret whatever you do if you try and fight this now, its too far gone and just cos the agreements are a few years old doesn't mean they haven't got one. Ive just seen one from 1981!