O2 Default - I'm an idiot to trust others

squiddon

Hi,

About this time last year I got my credit score back to a good level after being a bit financially reckless in university.

However...

About a year ago when I was still with my ex she begged and pleaded that I get a phone contract for her out in my name. You can guess what happened from that one sentence. We were living with eachother at the time and things were 'going good', but I still knew at the time that it was a baaaaad idea.

I'm an idiot for going out with her in the first place. She broke up with me via text saying, and I directly quote "I slept with someone on Saturday. How's that for a nail." A nasty piece of work.

Apparently she'd not been paying the bill since August and not put the contract in her name which I requested frequently. The account details were pointed to her email and house address so I had no correspondance with O2. I'd been checking my credit report every month to see if there had been any missed payments but according to Equifax and Call Credit everything was hunky dory. Yesterday I had a call from Wescot Debt Recovery and find out I have a default and now owe ~£580. Right before Christmas. When uni fees are due.

Lessons learned the hard way.

I checked Equifax and Noddle (Call Credit) to see if there are any defaults/late-payments etc but they both say the account is paid up until August.

I've sent an email to creditfilereferrals@o2.com to try and get them to remove the default because I'd obviously had no idea anything was wrong until I had the call yesterday. I've also been an O2 customer since 2007. Hopefully they will remove it.

Just wondering if anyone has dealt with O2 to try and get defaults removed, and/or have any tips?

Otherwise I'll let everyone know how I get on because I'm sure it will be of interest.

cookyy2k

Unfortunately since the debt is in your name it is your responsibility to pay, it has been passed (sold) to a debt recovery agent now would I wouldn't expect O2 to remove it. You might be lucky but I'd say your chances are slim at best.

Tixy

You can ask them to remove it as a goodwill gesture if you pay it in full, a few people have reported phone companies agreeing to this. Its a fairly long shot but worth a try.

If the default isn't yet on any of your credit files and you repay in full now then you may be lucky and it may not be registered? Does the debt collector letter state that there is already a default registered? its not a warning to pay within 14 days or they will register one?

squiddon

This is the problem. I've had no correspondence from O2 with regards to the matter. Both email and postal address are different to mine.

I'm trying to find out what actually happened (ideally I'd like some postal record) and when plus both O2 and Wescot are quoting different amounts to pay.

Buzby

Since she wasn't the account holder, how on earth could she change or amend anything? Only the a/c holder has the ability to negotiate and it was for you to seek a transfer and get her to sign the paperwork.

Yes, you've been royally had but I know guys who have been out considerably more money, so feel good you know the limits and the fact the contract is terminated (you have checked?)

Address issues aside, it is the contract holder that gets dumped on, and whilst you were naive in doing what you did, it would be a miracle if they did anything to resolve the situation, even assuming they believed you.

There are gold-diggers out there looking for mugs and I've met several in my time, and I doubt she won't be your last - but hopefully you won't be caught out again.

Wescot will be charging you a higher amount as this includes their fees - if you can still settle direct with O2 do so, then tell WS it has been settled with the organ grinder directly.

MEM62

And the reason you didn't cancel it the second you were dumped is................????????