Santander Default Notice

Mullington

Can anyone help or advise please?

Back in early July I had a telephone conversation with a Customer Resolution manager about a remaining balance for £43.34 that Santander were going to write off. This she duly did and sent me written confirmation to that effect.The letter I have in my possession.

At the end of July, Santander's collection department sent me a snotty letter demanding the balance and threatening me with a default notice, then yesterday an actual default notice arrived. I duly re-sellotaped the letter, placed in a note "Please check your facts!" and posted it back to them as "Return to sender":mad:.

Despite contacting Santander several times through their complaints email this week they won't even reply.

Can anyone advise me how to proceed please? What are my rights? How can I force Santander to revoke the entry they have made against my credit worthiness? How can I make them prove they have done so?

hello2007

I would have paid the £43.04 to save your credit file and I would have dispute it afterwards because you will now have a default on your credit file for six years. It is always best to agree to do everything in writing as there is no proof over the phone.

Did you owe the balance and they agreed to write it off if so that sort of agreement should have been done in writing ?

McKneff

I duly re-sellotaped the letter, placed in a note "Please check your facts!" and posted it back to them as "Return to sender

To be honest, this, under the circumstances, was just plain childish. Why on earth didnt you deal with it properly.

You should have written to them formally, sending a copy of the confirmation that you had had from Santander that you did not owe the amount. That would have been the end of the matter.

As it is you have opened a can of worms for yourself and caused yourself no end of stress, and what for.

If you have got confirmation then it is one of the very few reasons you are entitled to have this default removed.

Keep on at Santander, write to them, use recorded delivery, dont phone them, make sure there is a paper trail.

topcat9

Hi Mullington,

Write to Santander at this address:

Complaints
Santander UK PLC
PO Box 1125
BRADFORD
BD1 9PG

Set out your complaint briefly and clearly, include a photocopy of the written confirmation you originally received and send the letter by registered post. They must respond to your complaint within 8 weeks. If you don't get any satisfaction by then, you can escalate your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman.

I wouldn't bother with emails or phone calls - they can work well sometimes, but they can also waste a lot of your time and money!

All the best.

McKneff

Just a note also, if you do end up at the Financial Ombudsman it will cost Santander £500 fees to them.
Anyway, I hope it doesnt go that far.

Very useful post there Topcat9:T

pmduk

I understand your frustration with Santander, but returning their letter without even a covering letter won't help you. Topcat's route above is the one to follow.

Mullington

Many thanks,

There are some useful replies there which I appreciate and naturally some not so useful.

To be honest I sent that item back because I was extremely miffed and angered with them. I have already had to deal with them once through the Financial Ombudsman on another issue (when they were the A&L), a case I duly won. Their incompetence seems to know no bounds. I'm also trying to care for a sick relative whilst they send me this nonsense.

As I asked previously - does anyone know what I can do to ensure this default and black mark caused by their error is wiped from my record? Do I need to go down the F.O route again do you think? :think:

superwoman247

I agree with topcat9 that the best way would have been to write back to them politely. It is no use acting on your feelings of disappointment with Santander as you unfortunately have a lot more to lose at this point. If you apporoach them with willingness to work with them you will eventually come across an understanding individual from Santander.

Having said that, its in the past now. To answer your question, I would say check to see if we have a "fair credit act" here in the UK. I know in America there is one which governs consumer rights in terms of their credit report. All you would need (if we have a similar act) is to collect your evidence of the credit report violations and they will by law have to have it corrected.

All the best and hope it works out well for you

superwoman247

Have a read through this- it might be helpful http://www.noahproject.org.uk/articles/what_is_the_fair_credit_reporting_act_and_what_you_should_know.html

topcat9

Hi again Mullington,

Re your question on how to remove the default and black mark, please see my earlier reply. If you send your complaint to Santander they should address it and correct your credit record. If they do not and you are not satisfied then you go to the FO.

Mullington

:beer:Thanks Superwoman and topcat. I'm on it now.