Virgin Default

novox1988

Hey Guys!

A representative at Virgin cancelled my account without informing me.

They did this as I was no longer at the address but I couldn't move it to my new address as it was student halls.

He rang me to ask if I was at the address but didn't tell me he was cancelling it, he didn't ask for my new address nor did he tell me the account had arrears.

The account had arrears on it so naturally it defaulted.

I phoned Virgin and they've told me its there to stay. Just about to graduate as well.............

I've just sent a letter, is their anything else I can do? Are virgin covered by the CCA?

Thanks!

i.imgur.com/6jVCT.png
This is what my file looks like now with VM.

neilmcl

Of course they would have cancelled the account. If you moved out of one address and couldn't take your VM package with you then what do you think would have happened. The only thing you can do is repay any arrears and appeal the VM to get the default notice removed.

wealdroam

But you haven't paid your bill since September, is that right?

You didn't cancel your contract either?

Yes, Virgin Media are covered by the Consumer Credit Acts.
Why do you ask?

novox1988

I wasn't aware of any arrears. Not until November when I paid them straight away.
I tried to change my address back in June so mail would go to my student address but they couldn't send it anywhere other than where my account was. They wouldn't terminate my contract either in June.

I didnt think they would cancel it, I was still in term. I thought they may suspend services and still charge me, I did after all sign up for 12 months.

So I left it where it was. And continued paying them. A default after 1 month is something I've never heard of.
They never tried to contact me over the phone or by email. They just defaulted me and now I'm knackered for 6 years. Everything else on my credit file is fine for the last 18 months to 2 years.

arcon5

If you didn't cancel or know they was cancelling it... you must therefore have thought the service was still being provided, thus needed paying for...

So however you look at this I can't see how Virgin are to blame...

A default isn't the end of the world either, if this is the only thing you have to worry about then don't worry to much if other credit lines are up to scratch. Good or bad credit rating, now you're no longer a student i'm betting you will find it so so much difficult to obtain credit anyway, despite the default.

novox1988

I just wasn't aware of my arrears. If I had a phonecall or an email I would have paid straight away.

How bad is a default? I've been told I should wave goodbye to any sort of credit for the next 6 years.

Thanks

arcon5

novox1988 wrote: »

I just wasn't aware of my arrears. If I had a phonecall or an email I would have paid straight away.

But you would have had to pay £x per month and must have known you should continue paying this, since they wouldn't allow you to cancel.

How bad is a default? I've been told I should wave goodbye to any sort of credit for the next 6 years.

Thanks

It does - that doesn't mean lenders will no longer touch you with a barge pole for 6 years. If your credit report shows several forms of borrowing and has 1 default on a virgin contract now marked as 'satisfied' from last year I doubt it will affect you greatly.

If you have a poor credit report, you can also still borrow, it will just cost you more (higher APR).

If you are really that worried, try getting a CC with a company like Vanquis (they are desgned to re-build credit rating for those with a poor borrowing history), use it a few times - make your payment ontime, pay it back and basically show anybody looking at your history that you are responsible with money and can stay within the terms and conditions of your accounts.

Bearing in mind your age, the nature of the default and the lack of severity, personally i'd advise you not to worry too much about it. Whether a lender will lend to you or not also involves many many other factors.

novox1988

arcon5 wrote: »

But you would have had to pay £x per month and must have known you should continue paying this, since they wouldn't allow you to cancel.

I wasn't aware that I hadn't paid, I thought the money had left my account as usual.

I have a Barclaycard, and a fairly big overdraft I never use, along with 2 phone contracts. No payment problems with them.

So I should be fine?

wealdroam

novox1988 wrote: »

I wasn't aware that I hadn't paid, I thought the money had left my account as usual.

Sounds like you usually pay by direct debit.
Were Virgin Media at fault for not taking the money then?
Or did VM ask your bank for the money but it was refused?

Or were you not paying by DD, but over-looked to payment that was due?

In other words, who made the mistake such that a payment was missed?
If it was VM, then they should remove the default.
If it was you, or your bank on your behalf, then the default is correct and should stay.
If your bank made the error, then they should be fixing the problem.