Default notice - letters sent while away! Help!

PinkLaydee

Hello
I have just had a stroke of tremendously bad luck!
Preamble: We have finally had an offer on our house which we have been trying to sell for THREE years. Made an offer on another, soon to be finding a mortgage deal.
I have about £10,000 of various small debts which are all under control and I'm paying everyone back like a good girl.
The horrid issue which I desperately need help with:
I have a joint account which my husband pays grocery money into every month (ie: it is in joint names but he doesn't use it), this year Nationwide suddenly decided to remove my £600 overdraft from the account and I have had a hard time negotiating a gradual reduction. Before I went away on holiday just over 2 weeks ago it was within it's £240 limit. But I had overlooked about £20 worth of charges. These were taken while I was away, pushing the account over limit. Basically for just over two weeks I have been unaware of this. I did not use the account during my holiday. Nationwide sent me two letters (which I have only just read) followed by a Default notice dated 12 August to both myself and my husband.
I can scrape the funds together to pay it all off, but I am terrified about the Default appearing on both credit files.
What are my chances of pleading with them not to do it to me?
I am feeling physically sick and in tears. Can't deal with it until office opens on Monday.
Please help? Thank you.

bottleofred

Hi Pinklaydee,

As far as I'm aware, they should send a letter regarding a default notice, but give you 14 days (i think) to settle the debt, after which time the default will go onto your credit file.

PinkLaydee

Thank you, I have been manically googleing and searching other forum threads for details of the official timescale. It just seems so heavy handed of Nationwide, First letter saying overlimit (by £20!) dated 26 July, Second 2 Aug, Default dated 12 Aug. Once I get this sorted out I will be closing this and my children's accounts.
Can anyone else out there confirm if it's 14 days from the Default notice letter?
Thank you.

PinkLaydee

Now I've calmed down a bit, stopped shaking and crying, have had chance to read the letter carefully. It states that Nationwide reserve the right to Mark our credit files a minimum of 28 days from 12 Aug. Please can someone confirm: If I pay outstanding amount in full before 28 days are up they won't Mark our files? Should I offer to close the account as they seem to be behaving rather heavy handed with me? Any advice on how to handle this: best by phone or in writing / email? Thank you. Still in agony as I can't phone until Monday morning, hardly slept and feeling sick!

chanz4

if you pay before the 28 days you will be fine, threatening to close the account wont really phase them

fermi

From the Information Commissioner

"If a borrower fully meets the terms set out in a notice of intention to file a default, it follows that the lender should not file the default."

PinkLaydee

Thank you chanz4 and fermi, I feel much better for these posts. I've had a horrible Sunday trying to phone various people for advice, no lines open. Will be phoning Nationwide at 9 am!
BUT I did list about 22 things on eBay today, and already have bids up to £70 within a few hours. £264 should be pretty easy to cover I think. Really really hate getting in such a pickle like this...
Thanks again - hopefully will manage to sleep tonight.

PinkLaydee

Have agreed to pay off in full within 28 days, transferred £112 in today from another account. The woman on phone was actually very helpful and reassured me our credit files won't be marked if I pay off overdraft within the timescale set out.
Phew!