Defaults removed from credit file?!

lordash

Hi,

I just checked my experian credit file online, and I noticed that two defaults I had with Natwest have disappeared completely from my file. I haven't asked for them to be removed, and I am really happy that they have been taken off as they were (by far) my biggest debt on there.

Unsure if theyre on equifax (doesn't seem to be working atm, but they were on there earlier last week) and I don't think they ever were on callcredit.

Just wondering if this has happened to anyone before, and if this is a temporary thing or if they are gone for good. I did SAR them (for reclaiming bank charges), so maybe they guessed what was going to happen next and decided to remove them in advance! Or maybe it is just some sort of glitch and they'll reappear in a few days.

thriftymomma

How old are the debts? If they are over 6 years old they fall off automatically.

If not, bonus!:money:

lordash

Both defaults registered around this time last year. So, looks like a nice bonus for me! :beer:

Unfortunately, just checked my equifax report and its still there, so maybe it is just a system glitch.

never-in-doubt

Not necessarily, maybe just maybe they have sold the debt to a DCA in which case they may request removal of defaults until such time Assignment has been processed?

Or if you're lucky they just removed them.... either way, if you wanted to apply as a result of having a clean credit file then look here as lots of lenders only search Experian and if the defaults have gone then you may cushtie

Credit Reference Agencies - Who Really Uses Who?! UPDATE

lordash

Hey, cheers for the reply.

Unfortunately, still have three defaults on there from the last two years (one satisfied, one satisfied but yet to be updated and one unsatisfied - all for less than £1000 - to put it into context, the natwest defaults totalled £6500.) All other accounts on there have green 0's (other than an 'Arrangement to Pay' marker for September).

Thought I would give it a go and tried to apply for a vanquis card since they only search experian, but I got a referral on completion of the form (got the same thing last time I applied, and they never got back to me). So looks like my credit file is still no good for the time being. Shame.

Having said that, I recently re-applied for a NatWest Current Plus account (don't ask me why, I thought I would give it a go), and strangely enough I appear to have been accepted (received the signature forms) despite the past debt I had with them, which I thought was a bit odd.

Strange if it is because of the DCA since that account has been with Apex since the date of default, and I had an arrangement with them to pay £40/month towards the outstanding balance. Unless they transferred it to a different company, or are just messing around with it or something.

never-in-doubt

lordash wrote: »

Having said that, I recently re-applied for a NatWest Current Plus account (don't ask me why, I thought I would give it a go), and strangely enough I appear to have been accepted (received the signature forms) despite the past debt I had with them, which I thought was a bit odd.

Hiya

Bear in mind RBS use AVU (application verification unit) which checks your application after you return the forms - so assume the system generated a pass score (RBS score very low) that doesn't mean anything cos any previous financial data will be flagged for AVU to check so if you used to have debt, then you may find the new account will be closed down as fast as it was opened - been there, bought the t-shirt! I got everything sent and when I tried to activate the card the account was already closed (crossed in post)....

marvellous! :eek:

See here - this is in relation to a basic account! http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1809785

lordash

Yes, it appears you are right, I spoke to NatWest today to chase up the application, and the lady there said that they don't actually credit score the application until they received the paperwork! Seems a bit mad to me, they sent out a huge envelope filled with thick leaflets and got me to photocopy documents and everything, just for them to say no a week later (well, don't know yet but quite sure that's what will happen!)

Well, thanks for nothing GnatWest.

Interestingly, I had another account removed from my experian -- this time it was an old Lloyds student account with £1500 maxed-out overdraft. It was actually my only perfect account (all green zeros for 3 years). However, my debt/credit ratio is now down to about 33%, and according to Experian I only owe £850! (about 10% of my true debt) Shame they didn't remove the other defaults on there, but I suppose you can't have everything .

stephane_2

lordash wrote: »

Yes, it appears you are right, I spoke to NatWest today to chase up the application, and the lady there said that they don't actually credit score the application until they received the paperwork! Seems a bit mad to me, they sent out a huge envelope filled with thick leaflets and got me to photocopy documents and everything, just for them to say no a week later (well, don't know yet but quite sure that's what will happen!)

Well, thanks for nothing GnatWest.

Interestingly, I had another account removed from my experian -- this time it was an old Lloyds student account with £1500 maxed-out overdraft. It was actually my only perfect account (all green zeros for 3 years). However, my debt/credit ratio is now down to about 33%, and according to Experian I only owe £850! (about 10% of my true debt) Shame they didn't remove the other defaults on there, but I suppose you can't have everything .

I have had the same issue with Experian since the last week, where active accounts are coming & going. One day all my account have doubled up and today I've had 5 active accounts gone with the wind, making my debt/credit ratio jump to 86% compare to 18% in normal situation. I have been on the phone to them almost every day for the last week and am starting to loose my patience as they don't seems to get anything right. Electoral the same, I have been coming & going....let see what my file is going to look like tomorrow.

izools

It's likely nothing to do with actual data dissapearing from the report.

It is due to slight variation in the way the addresses are formatted across the accounts which sometimes cause the system to all of a sudden "fail" the address, so the data is no longer visible on the membership, and when they re-add the address you end up with duplicates.

IME the solution has been for Experian to Void the membership and sign up again.

It's rarely a true reflection of the data actually going and lenders will still be able to see the adverse information as the "different" address (i.e. formatted differently) will be linked to the correctly formatted address.

One of the flaws in Experian's marvellous system...