CPW - O2 - Bad Credit Rating Equifax

scattycat69

This is something I have been battling with for a few years and just don't seem to be able to resolve with anyone - either CPW, O2 or even Equifax!

I had a mobile phone contract in 2003 with CPW for an O2 mobile phone and line etc. When I changed to CPW own mobile at that time (can't remember the name but it had a cow as a logo!) there was some over charge on the bill and it took ages for them and o2 to sort. Eventually after copious amounts of letters, emails, etc etc it was paid, but in between me paying and them receiving the cheque £189 they had added a further £12 charge ??? I've no idea what this was for and never received any bill or communication about it.
It was only in 2008 when I applied for an O2 contract and was turned down due to bad credit rating I went online to equifax and the £12 came up as owing and unsettled and therefore a huge black mark! It showed that cpw had cleared it.

Can I add that in 2006 I did apply and was successful in an O2 contract (phone for my daughter) and she still has today, which I pay !

I've contacted cpw, o2 and equifax to find out how to get this removed from my file as I had no knowledge it was owing and the report quite clearly shows £189 pad, £12 unsettled - who would leave £12 when they had paid that amount !

Having contacted cpw they re-visited my account and have put it as owing again ! -so now my report looks really bad as an unsettled amount of £12 since 2003 !

I've asked cpw and o2 if I can pay this to clear the account ......... but neither an take payment as at the time this error happened cpw used to account of 02 lines and phones, but then 02 took over and started to account for their own accounts ..... mine is in the abys !


So any thoughts on what I can do to get this resolved?

Even writing to Equifax to explain the situation, they can't help!

Techhead_2

Part of your problem seems to be loose use of terms causing confusion.
Also if it was 2003 then your contract was with Carphone Warehouse and not direct with O2. They haven't taken over anything, merely that if you sign up now you will sign direct with O2 as your service provider.
So there is no point contacting O2 about removing the £12.
You need to contact your service provider at the time, which is Carphone Warehouse. Write to them. Write to the credit reference agency and tell them the £12 is in dispute and ask for a note to be added.

But are you sure its the £12 that's stopping you getting the contract, could it be that because you already have the 2006 contract, they are merely unwilling to give you a second.

scattycat69

Hi Tech head

Thanks for the reply. It does appear to be just the £12 as although it is a carphone warehouse account 'debt' at the time it shows in the o2 accounts due to the changeover at the time. An unfortunate time for me to of had a problem I guess.
Also it doesn't seem to be a problem that I already have an o2 account as I could just add another mobile phone to this account instead of opening another account. The problem arises on my credit report as this effects all 'searches'.

I've written to all three mentioned but no joy ! Os and cpw say it's the other ones issue/problem to resolve and equifax can't/won't put a note on my credit report until one of the two assume responsibility!

Can't beat the big boys!

cpw say they can't take payment because they no longer administer o2 accounts for them and so have no where to post the amount (however they were able to re-open on my credit report, when I brought it to their attention! - ys I had one of thos me and my big mouth moments to regret)

o2 say they can't take payment as the account was administered by cpw on their behalf at that time and therefore they have no account detail to post the payment to ?????

Going round in circles.....

Techhead_2

As I say, its your loose use of terms which is causing the confusing. Carphone Warehouse didn't used to look after accounts on O2's behalf, nor administer anything and there was no takeover or transfer.

Carphone were a service provider, selling airtime contracts on the O2 network. You were billed by and paid Carphone Warehouse. This was common at one time. Contracts were with a service provider, not a network. You need to write to Carphone Warehouse, stating that you had a contract with them in 2003, that it was paid up, but that an erroneous arrears of £12 is showing and you need that correcting.
The issue that you may have is that some staff may not be aware of the situation then, as CPW are now just a retailer. This is why its very important that you are clear in your own mind and do not needlessly complicate the issue. You will have to be firm, clear , follow their complaints procedure and do NOT get drawn into discussions. Its irrelevant that customers taking out contracts nowadays do so directly with the network as service provider.