Advice on default on credit check

bubba1_2

Hi, hoping for a bit of advice on where to go/what to do. (hope ive posted in the right place)

I recently applied for a credit card after two/three years of card tarting and found I was rejected. Hmmm. So I tried one of the on line credit check agencies expecting to find an excellent record I was shocked to find that I had a default balance on a Telewest T.V. bill for £63 dating back to 2002. I called Telewest and found this was indeed the case and I have been advised that three bills were sent with the outstanding amount. I haven’t received them even though I continued to live at the property for one year after. Also I continued to receive and pay telephone bills from Telewest until I left this property then transferred all my account to a new property for two years without mention of the outstanding debt.

I have no way of knowing if the £63 bill is a mistake on their side it is unlikely that I would have missed payment on such a small amount.

I’m furious about this :mad: and am wondering if this may cause me problems in the future when applying for loans/ mortgages.

Also I’m concerned that debt collectors may have built up huge costs which they are waiting to pass on to me. :eek: I have the number for them however I’m not sure if I should call in case they come knocking. I haven’t received any correspondence from them over the past few years.

I am not currently on the electrol register but I was about to apply before this problem appeared now I’m worried I may get a big bill through the door if I do.

Any advice on how I stand/where I should go with this.

Thanks in advance.

tawnyowls

I think you should write to Telewest immediately, setting everything out as you have above, and pointing out how shocked and upset you were at discovering this, particularly as you have been a loyal customer and been with them for a long time afterwards without being told any of this, and you dread to think what would have happened if you hadn't taken it upon yourself to check etc, etc - basically, load it on with a trowel. Tell them that if it is indeed your bill, you will not dispute it, but given the time elapsed, the worry it has caused you etc, you hope that they will see their way to cancelling the debt.

I doubt they've sent it to an agency, as they're generally more tenacious, and would probably have tracked you down by now.

MrsTinks

don't forget that loads of banks etc will fail you if you're NOT on the electoral register A lto of them barely look at your actual history but not being on the electoral roll is an instant fail

As for Telewest then yup write them (recorded) and explain that you never recieved this bill and had phone with them for another 12 months etc so they should have had no problem tracking you. I would see if they will firstly cancel the debt and remove the default if they don't then get legal on them and demand to see proof of them trying to contact you regarding this debt including copies of the letters and times of attempted contacts by phone etc

bubba1_2

Thanks for spending the time to offer your advise. Very helpful!
I'll send the letter to Telewest and cross my fingers.
Will post back with their reply

bubba1_2

The letter i will send, how does it look? Anything to add remove?

To whom it may concern,

I write with a complaint reference a bill at a previous address. I have discovered this purely by chance through checking with an online credit reference agency. The bill is for a previous address at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The amount is £63.84.

I have spoken with your customer service team (xxxxxxxxxxxxx 14/12/05 @19.00hrs) and they have informed me that a bill was sent on 4 occasions to xxxxxxxxxxxxxx. The following is from your records only:

• 31/1/2002 £97.16
• 21/2/2002 £313.84 inc. equipment charge
• 27/2/2002 £313.84 inc. equipment charge
• 28/2/2002 £313.84 inc. equipment charge
• 12/3/2002 (no letter was sent)Equipment returned and charge for equipment Removed from your records
• 21/4/2003 £63.84 (no letter was sent) Bill written off to credit recovery
Westcott

I find this a very confusing and distressing situation which has an effect on my otherwise perfect credit record, which has cost me money. I am very disappointed with the way this situation has been addressed.

It appears I was sent 4 letters within the space of less than a month and no other attempt was made to contact me. I have no record of receiving these letters and indeed would have paid the bill if I had. I continued to be a customer of telewest for 2 years after this on a telephone package. There was no mention of this outstanding bill throughout those 2 years. In recent times I paid my grandmothers telephone and TV bill where I gave my full details again there was no mention of this outstanding debt.

I have always paid every other bill from many companies both on the internet and by postal service with no problems what so ever. I wonder if this is an uncommon situation for you, I would imagine not! This therefore points to serious problems with your administration system which is not to be expected from today’s standards.

I am also concerned as to any debt which may have amounted with the debt recovery agency, again which I have received no communication from. I can only assume that they charge for their services.

If this is indeed my bill, I will not dispute it, but given the time elapsed and the worry it has caused me I hope that you will see your way to canceling the debt and remove the default.

This complaint will be forwarded OFCOM for their review and I will be seeking legal advice if I do not receive a satisfactory answer.

Please contact me immediately via email xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx or tel xxxxxxxxx to progress this matter further.

Yours sincerely



Mr. xxxxxxxxxx

xlesleyann

Here is a template letter I found and am using from Consumer action group.


address

Date: 21 August 2006

Dear Sir or Madam

Account number - XXXXXXXXXX

After recently obtaining a copy of my credit file from Experian I was concerned to note that your company has placed a "Default" notice against an account in my name.
Further to this I have no recollection of ever receiving such a notice, and I therefore require you to substantiate this data at your earliest convenience.
1. You must supply me with a true copy of the alleged agreement you refer to. This is my right under your obligation to supply a copy of the agreement under the legislation contained within s.78 (1) Consumer Credit Act 1974 (s.77 (1) for fixed sum credit). Your obligation also extends to providing a statement of account. I enclose a £1 postal order in payment of the statutory fee, PO Serial Number XXXXXX
2. You must supply me with a signed true and certified copy of the original default notice
3. Any deed of assignment if the debt was sold on


I would request that this data is provided to myself within the next 28 days, if you are unable to provide this data then I must insist that it is removed from my files as unsubstantiated.


Yours faithfully