How can I avoid this default..santander loan?

yellowleaf

Can anyone help or advise?

I have a santander loan and missed 3 payments last year. Sept to Nov. Dec I made a full payment, however was not able to in Jan so organised a one off arrangment. I kept to thi throughout Feb and at beginning of March was back onto full monthly installments and have an arrangeent in place to pay the arrears. I thought all was in order. Anyway whilst on the phone today, I'm told a default notice has been issued ( via letter) to me on the 12th March - as I'm 4 months in arrears. I am, but explained I had an arrangement in place etc etc and am now paying and have always been in touch and kept to the arrangements. They say the system automatically generates this. The only other letters I've received are relating to specific arrangements, nothing mentioning a default or warning - which I thought they were obliged to send prior to the default? and also no explanation as to why if technically i defaulted in Jan, this has happended now. I called back later after doing some internet research and was told that possibly by writing to the "credit data quality team" at Santander ( no telephone number apparently exists?) and offering to make a payment to reduce the arrears to below 4 months they may be able to remove the default.

I'm a little worried as thought I had avoided this through careful contact and organised arrangements when I knew I would struggle to meet payments. It also seems a little hit and miss on their part. I said that I hadn't received a default warning letter and understood by law I should have ? but they didn't know if they were obliged to send one?! and they confirm there isn't a record of one.

I don;t want a default if I can help it, so would appreciate any advice as not sure what would be the next best step.
- perhaps a recorded delivery letter.. if I only have 14 days.. not sure how I' going to make the additional payment at this point...
But will try by hook or by crook in order to avoid the default.
Thanks in anticipation

micaleff

i would escalate this as a complaint to be honest as i personally dont think that banks take things that seriously until it is raised as a complaint

http://www.santander.co.uk/csgs/Satellite?appID=abbey.internet.Abbeycom&c=Page&canal=CABBEYCOM&cid=1210607166846&empr=Abbeycom&leng=en_GB&pagename=Abbeycom%2FPage%2FWC_ACOM_TemplateA2

Defo look into it even it means that they clarify your situation for you it will be worth knowing the actual position. (personal experience)

good luck

yellowleaf

I have made an online complaint. Ist step!

BILLIE

Also talking from personal experience - even though you have made an arrangement in their eyes you have defaulted on the payment required for the loan/account. Once an arrangement is in place so long as you make those payments on time and for the agreed amount then a default will not be issued. However, Santander can be a rule unto themselves. Hope that helps - my credit record was smashed to pieces anyway when I received last Default Notice and since then have just kept making the payments on time etc to prevent any further ones. Does that make sense?!?!?! Billie x