Virgin Media - Unexpected outstanding amount and default!

hannah4101

Hi all!

Just wondered if anyone could offer some advice..?

I moved to London in November 2006 and took out a Virgin Media contract for telephone and internet. We then left this property in November 2007.

Over the last couple of years I've really been trying to clear up my credit file and was checking Experian regularly. Hadn't checked since about this time last year but have now found a Virgin Media default with an outstanding balance of £187. It says I was defaulted November 2007.

I have called Virgin (as it was so long ago I genuinely have no recollection of even owing this money) and they have advised that they stopped receiving payments for direct debits in June 2007. They also then went on to say that they sent me two letters on 26 October 2007 and 8 November 2007, however I had moved out by this time so therefore did not respond. Knowing my former student self I probably didn't advise Virgin that I was moving house either

Apparently this debt has been passed to a debt collector but my arguement is that they had telephone numbers for me (home and mobile) and I have not once received a call. Surely, at the point I didn't respond to their letters, they should have called me?

My other argument is that if they say I'd stopped payments in June 2007 and then defaulted me in November 2007 then they only allowed me 5 months - shouldn't I have 8 months until they default me?

Virgin have said they won't remove the default until I pay the £187 or I can send a letter to their head office (which I'm reluctant to do as they will then have my address to re-route the debt collectors!)

This does however drop off my credit file in November. Do you think I have a case to contest the default??

Thanks for your help in advance

victor2

Since you have no recollection of whether or not you owe the money, I'd let it slide until November. Of course you could just pay them £187 and get it cleared, but are you so desperate to clear it that you'll pay a "debt" you're not even sure of?
BTW, where's the £500 you owe me?

hannah4101

I did think this was the best course of action!

Presumably I'm still liable for this £187 even after the default drops off my account in November?? Looks like I won't be using Virgin Media any time soon :-S

What do you think re only giving me 5 months before they defaulted me? Is this normal?

chanz4

hannah4101 wrote: »

I did think this was the best course of action!

Presumably I'm still liable for this £187 even after the default drops off my account in November?? Looks like I won't be using Virgin Media any time soon :-S

What do you think re only giving me 5 months before they defaulted me? Is this normal?

they could default you after 28 days

Buzby

After it drops off, it additionally becomes unenforceable (in court). Not that they would do this. Their sanction was to fault you, and probably sell on the debt.

If you've managed this far - just forget it. Incidentally, VM will keep their own record of your account so even after 6 ears, they may reject any reapplication unless you pay up.