Debt collector and credit report

RosiPossum

Hi there, please be gentle with me

I posted a wee while ago about Westcot contacting me for £1700. I wasn't aware of anything that could have caused it, but when I called them, I found out it was from my NatWest overdraft. I was surprised because I'd had no communication from NatWest at all and my account was still in the period of time of it being a student account.

The person I spoke to said they'd put a note on the account that I was not disputing the amount but I was disputing the need for debt collectors. He also said he'd write to me confirming this. That was a few weeks ago.

Today I received a final notice (I hadn't had any other notices in writing, just a text asking me to call!) saying I must pay within 10 days etc.

The letter is in my maiden name, and I thought I'd check my credit report with equifax since I'm looking at this stuff.


Basically I'm all green apart from electoral roll (which I'm fixing tomorrow) and there is no mention of any debt or problems. Under 'financial associates' tab, my maiden name shows up as my also known by.

I don't really know how these things work, so if I had a problem under my maiden name, would it show on my new name? I want to make sure that in a few years when we start thinking of buying a house that this doesn't come back to bite me in the bum!

Thanks in advance for any advice,
Rosie

happy_bunny_2

How long ago since you used the account? What's the Status of the account?

Say they called in the overdraft, you didn't pay and they issued a default, then this stays on your report for 6 years.

Have you moved since you married? Wonder if your old name has a separate credit report. Not sure when you get married if its an association that gets created or an alias.

Maybe ask/look at the help section of who you got the credit report from.

RosiPossum

Thanks for replying
I don't know when I last used the account but I had no messages from them at all. I've often had communications by message on the website when they've contacted me about things like terms and conditions or my statements. No phone calls (my number hasn't changed) or letters (I have moved but Westcot had my correct address).

I logged in to my NatWest account and the account doesn't appear there any longer.
I'll have to find out about the maiden name thing. My credit report doesn't seem to be affected by the association, but I've just looked at the one that's free, not the £5.95 one.

Not really sure what to do about Westcot. I'm not trying to avoid the debt but I really don't think I need to be dealing with a collection agency!
Thanks again x

RosiPossum

I signed up for my credit report for my maiden name and there is nothing different. Not sure if anything should show up but there is nothing about NatWest nor any black marks on the account at all.

pauletruth

prove it letter. followed by a request for all data held by natwest. followed by a status barred letter if outside 6 years. please don't go admitting stuff. its not in your interests to do so.

RosiPossum

I don't know how long it is. I opened the account in 2004 but have used it at least last year.
Will this show up at some point on my credit report?

happy_bunny_2

Very odd. Things usually only drop off after 6 years from settled or default. No idea why its not on there. If you use it last year that does not add up.

rizla_king

Current account data has only been reported to the CRAs since about 2004. Account opened before that came into force don't show on credit reports, and some opened for a few years after don't show either.

Buzby

Account data can only be shared if the holder gave explicit permission for data to be shared. I didn't and my info is excluded.

rizla_king

That's the thing. Accounts before the data sharing agreement came in never had consent to share. After it did, most now do. Hence most (but not all) now report.

happy_bunny_2

I had a RBS card that can only be reported on default. That was from the 90s though. My Cahoot current account from 2001 is reported to CRAs.

Was that certain banks only?