False default on my credit record

Afx

I originally posted with regard to this issue on the 1st credit thread, but thought i may get more replies in my own thread.
The main gist is that, back in i think january 2009 i received a letter from 1st credit claiming i had a debt of £474 with quickquid.co.uk, I had absolutely no knowledge of said debt and certainly would never use such an agency if i was in debt. Anyway with a little help from the guys in the 1st credit thread i drafted a letter to them and got a reply stating that they would pass this information on to quickquid themselves. I henceforth heard nothing else from 1st credit or quickquid, until in July i got a letter from their fraud department. Asking me to ring them. The general advice i got on the matter was that, if it wasnt my debt then dont ring them. I followed the advice and never heard anything again.

This is until i recently decided to apply for a loan, now i know ive got a very good credit rating and have never missed any payments, so i was very susprised to be turned down and so decided to check my credit file with callcredit, Lo and behold i found the followed: (minus a few bits of personal info)

Lender name: CashNETUSA
Accountholder status: Normal
Start date: 9th April 2008
End Date: 30th July 2008
Account type: Budget account
Account status: Default
Last updated: 1st January 2009
Current balance: £0
Opening balance: £474
Account start date: 9th April 2008
Account end date: 30th July 2008
Repayment frequency: Monthly
Default date: 30th July 2008
Original default balance: £474
Term balance: £0
Default satisfied date: 30th July 2008

Googling shows CashnetUSA as being quickquids parent company.

Now from what little ive read, even if the debt wasn't fraudulent, then i should have received notice prior to this default. The very fact that it isn't my debt only makes matters worse.
Ive emailed quickquid regarding this, but i realise im probably going to have to go a lot further in order to get this resolved.
So i'd be very grateful if anyone can give me some advice on this matter, I'm so annoyed at this point, i thought i'd seen the last of this matter.
Many thanks

Afx

<deleted> cos i cocked the dates up

Afx

Any ideas anyone? i know im probably being impatient, just unsure whether ive posted this in the wrong forum?

Afx

Could anyone please just confirm if my best course of action is to contact quickquid/cashnetusa and ask them to look into this? Or alternatively to go straight to the credit reference agency?
Ive found a few Standard letter formats around the web and on here, that look appropriate for the task, but im not 100% sure.
Hope someone can give me a bit of advice. Thanks.

dancingfairy

Hi. I am not an expert in this but didn't want you to have had no replies. What I would do is write a complaint to Quickquid , point out this is not your debt and never has been and that you had been in touch with their fraud department already, get them to get your credit file updated asap or you will report them to somebody (OFT/FO? - not sure you may have to do a bit of research on this).
Also I believe you are able to add a marker to you credit file with explanations - ie I have been a victim of fraud.
Also you can apply to an agency (called CIFAS I think) who will set up a password which you will need to obtain future credit - this will be a pain for you but should stop any criminals applying for credit in your name.
Also it may be best to check your credit record with all 3 agencies as they all hold slightly different information on you.
I'm not sure whether you need to report the fraud to the police or not?
Anyway - I'm sure I am not 100% sure on what to do but hopefully the above will give you a starting point and you can maybe do a bit of research on what I've said.
You may also want to do a search of these forums on 'fraud' as I'm sure others have had similar problems and see what advice was given to them.
Best of Luck sorting it all out.
df

Afx

Thanks for replying, much appreciated! Oh well, better get writing letters.

DarkConvict

Read page 19 onwards - http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/practical_application/credit_explained_leaflet_2005.pdf

Afx

That was perfect, Thank you!

GeorgeUK

They should have issued you with a default notice as this is a legal document. It would have given you 30 days to make payment before the default was put on your file.

As they are holding incorrect data about you and have passed this onto a 3rd party (the CRA's), they are in brach of the Data Protection Act.

I would write a letter of complaint to quickquid pointing out that you had previosly informed them that the debt was not yours, that you have not received any proof that the debt was yours after informing them and that you will take the matter further with the ICO if the default is not removed and may also seek damages as this incorrect default has already had a financial impact on you.