Vodafone Account Help

steve*smith_2

Hi all,

I have had problems obtaining a good rate of credit, I've checked out my credit record and the issue is that I have a default for the amount of £107 from Vodafone.

The default is 4 years old and as such has 2 years still to run but it is causing me credit issues.

I did the whole 'ooooh look shiny new phone' thing at the age of 18 which I couldn't afford, well and truley learnt my lesson and am now in a far better place financially.

After investigating if the default could be removed (I wasn't aware of the default or even the credit record process at the time, my own fault) I decided to contact Vodafone to try and appeal to their better side since it is a relatively small amount.

I've done all the security checks, passed on all the information they've requested - luckily my parents still live at the same address, so I'm 100% sure the details are all correct, but Vodafone are saying that without my account number they can not even look at my case.

Are they just trying to fob me off, surely they have a record of my account number. I've searched everywhere at my parents house and can't find any paperwork records (another lesson learnt).

Can anyone offer me any advice on what to do next. I'm hoping to take out a mortgage in 12 months time and I'm worried this will affect my application, for the sake of £107, which I will willingly pay if it means the default gets removed from my file.

Is there any way to get my account number from an old mobile phone contract so I can speak to Vodafone about this?

Thanks in advance.

grumbler

steve*smith wrote: »

Can anyone offer me any advice on what to do next. I'm hoping to take out a mortgage in 12 months time and I'm worried this will affect my application, for the sake of £107, which I will willingly pay if it means the default gets removed from my file.

Is there any way to get my account number from an old mobile phone contract so I can speak to Vodafone about this?

They definitely can find your account if you are lucky to get to some competent person that are less frequent at Vodafone than penguins in Sahara.
However, they definitely will not remove the default from your file. If you pay what you owe, then in the best case scenario they will change the status of the account in the credit file(s) to 'settled'. This will improve the score, but very little as the default will remain.

Guys_Dad

Well, you could write to Vodafone requesting a Data Protection Subject Access on the information they hold on you. You give them your name, address, your address when you had the contract and any other relevant information. They can charge you up to £10 for this.

They then have 40 days to either find the information or declare they have no information.

If the former, you achieve your first goal,

If the latter, then, as they are obliged to hold financial information for at least 6 years, you obviously don't owe them anything and they are duty bound to correct the information held at the Credit Reference Agencies.

You are also at liberty to send a copy of the "No inf held" letter from Vodafone to the Credit Agency and ask them to correct their records, in line with DPA legislation.

steve*smith_2

grumbler wrote: »

They definitely can find your account if you are lucky to get to some competent person that are less frequent at Vodafone than penguins in Sahara.
However, they definitely will not remove the default from your file. If you pay what you owe, then in the best case scenario they will change the status of the account in the credit file(s) to 'settled'. This will improve the score, but very little as the default will remain.

Thanks, I was afraid that would be the case. I read an article on MSE on credit file defaults for low amounts and speaking to the company to ask nicely what can be done, which is what prompted me to contact them.
Probably won't get me far but no harm in trying.

Guys_Dad wrote: »

Well, you could write to Vodafone requesting a Data Protection Subject Access on the information they hold on you. You give them your name, address, your address when you had the contract and any other relevant information. They can charge you up to £10 for this.

They then have 40 days to either find the information or declare they have no information.

If the former, you achieve your first goal,

If the latter, then, as they are obliged to hold financial information for at least 6 years, you obviously don't owe them anything and they are duty bound to correct the information held at the Credit Reference Agencies.

You are also at liberty to send a copy of the "No inf held" letter from Vodafone to the Credit Agency and ask them to correct their records, in line with DPA legislation.

Thank you, I will do this, out of curiosity if nothing else, if there's a chance I can do something with this to improve my credit record it's worth the £10.

steve*smith_2

grumbler wrote: »

They definitely can find your account if you are lucky to get to some competent person that are less frequent at Vodafone than penguins in Sahara.
However, they definitely will not remove the default from your file. If you pay what you owe, then in the best case scenario they will change the status of the account in the credit file(s) to 'settled'. This will improve the score, but very little as the default will remain.

Regarding my credit file, it says:
VODAFONE Communications Default Satisfied

When I expand this it says Default Balance: £107

Is the default a result of the missed payments then, rather than a result of money being owed?
i.e. it is physically irreversible because the payments have already been missed?
I've been thinking the default was because they're saying I still owe them money, so have possibly been looking at this the wrong way round?

grumbler

http://www.callcredit.co.uk/media/53069/ycfev5.1.pdf

What is a default?
‘Default’ is a term used to describe a credit account where the relationship between the account holder and the lender has broken
down. This occurs when the account is in arrears.
....
Payment Status
Code
Description
? No update has been received to the account for the specific month and the account is not currently in default
0 Payments are up to date
U Account has an unknown or ‘unspecified’ update and is not in default
1 Payments are up to 1 month late
2 Payments are up to 2 months late
3 Payments are up to 3 months late
4 Payments are up to 4 months late
5 Payments are up to 5 months late
6 Payments are up to 6 months or more late
D Account is in a default status

Vodafone

Hi steve*smith,

Thanks for making me this.

To enable me to look into matters further could you email me with your details via the link in our profile here?

All you need to do is copy and paste the link into your web browser and it will take you to the Contact us form on our website.

To ensure that it reaches me could you also quote the code WRT135 - MSE in the subject line and once our automated reply arrives update the thread with your email reference number and I'll get back to you as soon as possible?

Thanks,

Lee

Web Relations Team

Vodafone UK

santosh1

Hi Lee,

I'm in a smiliar predicament as Steve*Smith.

I'm in the middle of purchasing a house with my wife and everything was going well until it was identified that there was an old Vodafone default on my credit file thats almost 4 years old and marked satisfied. As a result Halifax has withdrawn their mortgage offer and asked me to get it removed and a notice of correction to be place on my file in the interim.

This has caused distress to myself and my family. I'm currently in a 1 bedroom rented accomodation and we are expecting our first child including having to now take care of my wife's parents who are elderly and planning to move in with us. Therefore needing a larger place.

The default date is 08/06/09. A problem with the account first started when I was overseas and was a victim of a traumatic mugging. I was told that I would still be liable for the calls made after my phone was stolen as it was reported 2 days after the incident. Later in London my phone went missing and a high bill ran up again. As a result full payments were not met due to the ongoing dispute. As we could not reach a consensus on the matter I took the decision to settle the amount and close the account. I was hard headed and naive at the time and wanted to firmly stand my ground on the matter as I didnt feel it fair to pay for something I didnt do. I also didnt receive no pre-default notification. I gather the mobile providers are not regulated the Consumer Act of 1974 and therefore exempt by law to send default warning letters. I am at this stage appealing to Vodafone to remove the default as it is unlawful as Vodafone is bound by contract law and clearly breached protocol.

I was previously married and seperated at one point. I used to go collect my post from the flat that all my bills were still sent to. The only thing I can think of is that if a default notice letter was sent my ex may have thrown it away just to cause further problems. I was going through a divorce that didnt end amicably.

I now have 2 weeks to get this sorted or we will lose the property we are trying to buy. The default has 2 more years to go and was for a nominal amount (£661). Its ruining my life and my families life.

If there's anything you can do to assist, it would be appreciated. I really need Vodafone to consider my plea and to remove this default from my file.

Thanks
S

chanz4

santosh1 wrote: »

Hi Lee,

I'm in a smiliar predicament as Steve*Smith.

I'm in the middle of purchasing a house with my wife and everything was going well until it was identified that there was an old Vodafone default on my credit file thats almost 4 years old and marked satisfied. As a result Halifax has withdrawn their mortgage offer and asked me to get it removed and a notice of correction to be place on my file in the interim.

This has caused distress to myself and my family. I'm currently in a 1 bedroom rented accomodation and we are expecting our first child including having to now take care of my wife's parents who are elderly and planning to move in with us. Therefore needing a larger place.

The default date is 08/06/09. A problem with the account first started when I was overseas and was a victim of a traumatic mugging. I was told that I would still be liable for the calls made after my phone was stolen as it was reported 2 days after the incident. Later in London my phone went missing and a high bill ran up again. As a result full payments were not met due to the ongoing dispute. As we could not reach a consensus on the matter I took the decision to settle the amount and close the account. I was hard headed and naive at the time and wanted to firmly stand my ground on the matter as I didnt feel it fair to pay for something I didnt do. I also didnt receive no pre-default notification. I gather the mobile providers are not regulated the Consumer Act of 1974 and therefore exempt by law to send default warning letters. I am at this stage appealing to Vodafone to remove the default as it is unlawful as Vodafone is bound by contract law and clearly breached protocol.

I was previously married and seperated at one point. I used to go collect my post from the flat that all my bills were still sent to. The only thing I can think of is that if a default notice letter was sent my ex may have thrown it away just to cause further problems. I was going through a divorce that didnt end amicably.

I now have 2 weeks to get this sorted or we will lose the property we are trying to buy. The default has 2 more years to go and was for a nominal amount (£661). Its ruining my life and my families life.

If there's anything you can do to assist, it would be appreciated. I really need Vodafone to consider my plea and to remove this default from my file.

Thanks
S

I would change the approach, they dont have to remove the default and are correct inregards to not having to do the same as credit agreements. The debts were valid and are not a small amount, this is one reason when insurance is usefull but you only have 24 hours to report.

santosh1

Hi Lee,

I've done what you advised to Steve*Smith.

Note that I submitted my query using your link and the auto email reference number received is Re: WRT135 - MSE [#11041667]‏

I really hope you can help us and look forward to hearing from you

Thank you.
S

santosh1

Hi

The point is that there was a dispute with the amount owed and missed payments due to the dispute as its not a true reflection of the conduct of the account due to circumstances. All other accounts over 6 years never missed a single payment and credit card balances paid in full. This clearly displays that the vodafone situation was real and unique problem.

I didn't receive any default notices and actually paid the amount owed. I have learnt a lot from this and currently on pay as you go as a result.

I've spoken to Lee the Vodafone Rep on this site who was kind enough to hear my side of the story and said that he will try his best to help. This is the first time I've received such great service and reaction from Vodafone as previous pleas fell on deaf ears. I do hope Lee can sort this out for us as if we don't get it removed we will lose nearly £2000 on fees and the house we are trying to buy and will put family in a difficult position. A high price to pay!