Incorrect info on credit file, Help needed!

manda2725

I am new to this site and was wondering if anyone can help me. Over 5 years ago I had a mobile phone which I could not pay. Eventually I managed to gain control of my finances through a free debt consolidation company who helped me pay off all my debt...or so I thought. After recently checking my credit file the old mobile company was still showing on my credit file of over £300 which I do not owe. I contacted them and they stated that even though it showed their name on my credit file they had passed the debt onto another debt collection agency years ago so I would have to get them to take it off. I contacted the debt consolidation company as they had been making the payments for me for the old mobile bill and they said when the payments had got down to £100 the debt collection company had stopped responding to the payments and they could not get hold of the company so I still owe them £100. I found the debt collection companies address and tel number and wrote a letter stating what I owed with proof of payment provided by my consolidation company but had no reply. They never answer the phone and never reply to my letters. I re-contacted the mobile phone company but they are adamant that they cannot remove this error from my file even if I try to pay them direct as it has been passed on 5 years ago and my account with them is closed. I am at a dead end and this incorrect default is ruining my credit history....hope all that makes sense. Any ideas??????:(

DarkConvict

" incorrect default is ruining my credit history"

You failed to pay the phone company and it was passed to a debt collector. Therefore you defaulted on your agreement, and a default placed on your credit file. Paid or unpaid it remains on your file for 6 years from the date it was added.

Paying off a default has little affect to your credit scoring, you must wait for it to fall off after 6 years.
If the default is named after the mobile phone company, it is there record to change, if it is named after the debt collector it is their record to change. What tends to happen is the creditor places a default, then removes it so the debt collector can place one in their name with the same date and amount owed.
If added on 12/08/2005, it will fall off on 11/08/2011.

http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/practical_application/credit_explained_leaflet_2005.pdf

Read page 19 onwards. ICO can help in adding an amendment if you want this to state it has been settled

manda2725

Thats great thanks so much for the advice. Feel a bit better about it now, thought if it was showing as unsettled it would be on there forever until it was settled hence the reason I was in a panic. I knew the phone company were fobbing me off they didnt seem to know what they were talking about. Thanks again!!:)