Stupidly missed CC payment when on holiday... help

YoungBaker

Just a quick post to see if anyone can offer any help or suggestions or maybe even give me an indication of how bad this is...

Basically I have a CC with Vanquis which I have used for the past year or so to build up a credit rating. I am 21 and have never missed any payments for anything before and am trying to build up a decent credit score to get a mortgage in a year or so. Basically I use the card and pay it off in full every month.

I have been out of the country for the past two weeks, and for some reason before I left I simply (very stupidly) forgot to make a payment before I left, and on Friday it dawned on me. I made a quick payment online but the due date was the Monday of last week - so effectively 4 days late. I've now checked online as I am back home and have had a £12 late fee charge and also notified by equifax my account has changed (so presumably a default).

I plan to phone Vanquis tomorrow to somehow try and explain this is a totally genuine mistake, and as my statements show I have never missed a payment before although admittedly I should have just set up a blimming direct debit.

So basically -

• Is there any chance they will understand an remove the default etc as I have immediately paid and this is was a genuine error?
• How bad is this likely to affect my credit rating?

Im not expecting any sympathy or anything as it was obviously my own fault, but I am totally gutted as I have spent the past 2 years trying to get a decent credit rating in time for house buying and am worried it's all gonna have been pointless now cause of a stupid oversight.

Cheers for any help

[Deleted User]

Allan_r_123 wrote: »

So basically -

• Is there any chance they will understand an remove the default etc as I have immediately paid and this is was a genuine error?
• How bad is this likely to affect my credit rating?

a) Highly unlikely, as it's a record of fact, rather than a reflection of whether they sympathise or not.

b) It's not the end of the world, but don't make a habit of it.

mat5664

Deleted_User wrote: »

a) Highly unlikely, as it's a record of fact, rather than a reflection of whether they sympathise or not.

b) It's not the end of the world, but don't make a habit of it.

c) always set up a direct debit for the minimum payment. You can always make additional payments.

giblet10

As zx81 says, it's not the end of the world. They won't default you because of one missed payment - more likely just mark Equifax etc as 1 late payment (there is a difference between late and default with the CRAs).

It's always worth a punt to see if they'll be lenient - but don't lose sleep over it..

YoungBaker

Ah right, I didn't realise there was a difference as, as I say, I haven't really had any issue like this before. Definitely getting a direct debit set up. Literally just home when I posted this so about to go through my post, and will call them up tomorrow to see what the chat is.

Just knew you guys are great for info on here so thought Id see what info you could offer so I'm best equipped when I call.

Dr_Cuckoo3

Allan_r_123 wrote: »

I made a quick payment online but the due date was the Monday of last week - so effectively 4 days late. I've now checked online as I am back home and have had a £12 late fee charge and also notified by equifax my account has changed (so presumably a default).

Was the payment only 4 days late ? , the Experian Rep states that payments late by 7 - 10 days should not be registered as late payments at the credit reference agencies

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/jun/22/natwest-questions-answered?newsfeed=true
"Experian spokesman James Jones said: "Other creditors should not register as late any payment to them until it is late by at least seven to 10 days. This is an agreed industry standard. So, assuming this is a short-term blip, as long as any delayed payments are subsequently made, these should not show up on someone's credit file.""