Getting a default removed from my credit file

dogegg

During August and September last year I spent some time in hospital in intensive care after being injured in Afghanistan. Over this time I received letters from two store card companies because payments were missed. When I was discharged and at home recovering I got letters from debt recovery companies giving final warnings before court action. I called them up and settled the amounts in full (relatively small amounts £200 and £300). I recently checked my credit report and both are on my file as defaults.

The question I have is that is it possible to have these defaults removed due to mitigating circumstances. Obviously the period concerned was pretty traumatic for the family and some things got overlooked. I am led to believe that these defaults will stay on my file for 6 years and will pretty much stop me from getting any credit.

I called one of the companies and explained but they said there is no way that they can remove the defaults. Is there anybody else who I could speak to. Or is it possible plead my case with banks when applying for credit.

Thanks in advance

PNPSUKNET

you could go through their complaints process, but it would of be a gesture of goodwill if they did

DarkConvict

They can remove them even if they say they cannot. I agree with the above and go down the complaints procedure first.

They are after all following their own protocols.

If that fails, my advice is to speak to consumer direct and get some advice from them, and potentially the office of fair trading. They maybe able to help.

Finally, given the circumstances a newspaper is likely to take this up with you to write a story about it, companies will back down quickly if it gives them a bad reputation.