Incorrect late payment worth contesting?

Clive1

Hi,

I have just checked my credit report and noticed a late payment on there from 2011.

It was caused by me paying off a HP agreement early (in full) so i could return the car prior to moving abroad but BMW tried to collect a dd payment after full settlement had been agreed and after I had cancelled the dd

So in consecutive days in have late payment and full settlement on my file, clearly an error and letters I hold can prove it

I have hundreds of ontime payments on file, no defaults etc but am living abroad still and contesting will be awkward

So is it worth contesting?

matttye

Yes, complain in writing and send them a copy of the letter that can prove you paid in full before the late payment was applied. Send it recorded delivery.

At the very least they will remove it and you might get a little compensation as a gesture of goodwill.

Clive1

Thanks, excuse my ignorance but who do I complain to BMW or experian?

matttye

Clive1 wrote: »

Thanks, excuse my ignorance but who do I complain to BMW or experian?

Both. BMW is the company that has the power to change what's in the report, but if you complaint to Experian as well as to BMW directly, Experian will contact them as well and you're more likely to get a quick response.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

matttye wrote: »

At the very least they will remove it and you might get a little compensation as a gesture of goodwill.

The compensation should be a matter of course not a gesture of "goodwill".

Any credit file errors in my view require compensation and not under the auspices of "goodwill". Companies choose to use these agencies and are responsible for the data they feed to their appetites and any mistakes should cost them dearly. The other choice is stop using the system.

I would suggest at least £100 if their error has had no impact on you obtaining credit.

matttye

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

The compensation should be a matter of course not a gesture of "goodwill".

Any credit file errors in my view require compensation and not under the auspices of "goodwill". Companies choose to use these agencies and are responsible for the data they feed to their appetites and any mistakes should cost them dearly. The other choice is stop using the system.

A "gesture of goodwill" is usually company's way of accepting that they were in the wrong without admitting it in so many words...

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

matttye wrote: »

A "gesture of goodwill" is usually company's way of accepting that they were in the wrong without admitting it in so many words...

I despise that statement. I prefer an admission of a screw up. In the same vain I also despise the phrase "give the benefit of the doubt".

Either the person believes you 100% or they don't.

neil_999

I agree - it might only be one payment and in which case probably hasn't had much affect for you, but for me it would be the principal of it all.

If everyone complained when things were wrong and challenged what they thought was unethical, companies wouldn't get away it.

Go for it!

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

neil_999 wrote: »

I agree - it might only be one payment and in which case probably hasn't had much affect for you, but for me it would be the principal of it all.

If everyone complained when things were wrong and challenged what they thought was unethical, companies wouldn't get away it.

Go for it!

That's my sentiment now. There is far too much reliance on the old stiff upper lip from companies now. As far as I am concerned if a firm screws up with data of mine or just screws up it's compensation time. It's the only way they learn.

Thrugelmir

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

As far as I am concerned if a firm screws up with data of mine or just screws up it's compensation time. It's the only way they learn.

Who do you think pays?