Credit file queries !

-Liam-

Hi all.

Around about this time last year, I learnt there had been a ccj issued against me. The debt was from a store card with Santander, formerly with GE Capital. Now a couple of years earlier, I had changed my address with GE Capital using the address change slip on the back of a statement. (This was long before you could do everything online) but apparently, it never went through and nobody knows why.

Now for whatever reason, and I was never made aware of why, the direct debit was stopped. All correspondence for this was sent to my Mothers house. I stopped talking to my Mother some years before so I wasnt made aware until a bailiff came knocking and my sister kindly informed me and passed a sackfull of letters on to me. I contacted the collection agency (Drysdenfairfax) and immediately set a payment plan going. That has this month been completed, without issue, meeting all payments.

Now I have this CCJ for the next 6 years. Is there anything I can do to minimize the damage it does to my Credit file? I had hoped I could get it set a side due to the circumstances but I'm not sure it would be successful. Any views?

I have a credit card. I cycle the balance which is nowhere near its limit. Always make regular payments, on time. I pay 2 phone contracts, one for me and one for my Missus, which apparently the ccj's didnt effect when applying and I have direct debits for utilities. Again, always make direct debit on time and the accounts are in credit and I have no other credit other than my overdraft facility.

I'm currently saving for a new car that I'm planning to buy around May/June next year. I will need to add finance to whatever I save. Will this be a massive issue getting credit if I keep doing what I'm doing? I've never had a ccj and never defaulted on anything before this. Its so ****ing frustrating!!

Any advice would be appreciated.

Tixy

The CCJ is only on file for 6years from the date of the judgement not 6years from now when you settled.

I would imagine a set aside would struggle as you can't prove you informed them of the change of address - and initially you presumably knew there was a debt and didn't make an effort to repay or chase up why you were not getting statements.

You sound like you are doing the right things with your credit now to help build up a positive credit history.

But yes I imagine the CCJ will make it difficult to get finance except from the low end/subprime end of the market. How old will the CCJ be by then?

-Liam-

Thanks for the reply

Yeah, obviously I'm aware of the reasons why a set a side would be highly unlikely. I had split from my wife at the time and this account was at the bottom of a very long list of priorities. I was aware that it didnt have long to run which is frustrating and that when it stopped, I assumed (my mistake) that the account was clear. It was only ever totaling 700 quid by the time the ccj happened when you add on all the fines and costs but if I was aware of the ccj from the day it was issued, I probably would of found the cash to clear the balance within 28 days. c'est la vie...

Anyway, by the time I am looking to replace the car, the ccj will be 2 years old.

-Liam-

Will I need to apply for letters/documentation that state the debt has been paid in a satisfactory manner? Or does that happen automatically?