Default- can I get rid of it?

Jobsworth2510

So, I am 19 years old and have a default on my credit report BUT this wasn't my fault.

Few years back a family member of mine used my details and obtained a catalogue- a JD Williams catalogue.

Now it seems that there is a default on my account.

I am having great difficulty obtaining any credit at all. I have a credit card- a Capital One Secured Card- had to pay £200 up front. Have applied for other bad credit, credit cards but have since been declined. Quite lucky I have a Santander 123 current account but they don't want to give me any credit.

This is seriously ruining my life. I have a good job earning just over £1600 a month.

So, in short. What can I do?

fermi

May be worth reading.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4236341

stephaniem30

Hello

I had a similar issue with JD Williams, hadn't even heard of them until i checked my credit report and noticed a defaulted account on there from them. A tenant in a flat i rent out had managed to open an account with them in my name.

I told them at the time after getting the police involved yet they didnt remove it straight away, just marked it as settled. I phoned and to be honest the guy i spoke to was very apologetic and basically 'shouted' over to their accounts dept to remove it

It was completely removed from my credit report within 2 weeks. I dont know the procedure when opening a catalogue account but I phoned and complained as the girl had nothing more than my name and address and was able to open an account, no copy of my signature, ID etc so it must be pretty easy for this to happen!

Jobsworth2510

So did you actually get the police involved? @stephaniem30

Niv

Jobsworth2510 wrote: »

So did you actually get the police involved? @stephaniem30

The real quetion here is, are you prepared to get the police involved as your family member has imo committed fraud and the default is unlikely to be removed unless you address it through that route.

You are in a tough situation, I know I would find it hard to go that step to report a family member for fraud. Short term, for you it stinks but if you address this via the police you may end up with long term family issues - for which I have sympathy for you for.

Niv

Jobsworth2510

Niv, I don't want to get the police involved, no. The family member has suffered enough and at the moment is going through a pretty bad time in their life.

So no, I won't involve the police but I'm now unable to get overdrafts or anything so going to uni and expecting an overdraft would be totally out the question.

stephaniem30

Hi, yes i got the police involved but they weren't much help! Bigger fish to fry to care about catalogue debt i suppose

But to be honest it only really the catalogue company who can help as the police can't remove the default. Have you phoned them? They were quite helpful with me. All you can do is try and appeal to their better nature