Default on credit file from Vodafone hindering mortgage application

tommytux

I'm having a bit of bother with Vodafone having placed a default on my credit file in September 2013. I only became aware of this when checking my credit report via Equifax yesterday before going ahead with an application on a mortgage with my partner.

Admittedly, I had some trouble with payments on the account, but at no point was I made aware by Vodafone that there would be a default placed on my account. Whenever I could not pay, or payments were going to be late, I called the Customer Support department and made them aware. They were always very helpful, polite and understanding of my circumstances so it came as some surprise to see a default had been placed on my credit file.

I was left a little confused having received a letter from Fredrickson International Limited after having previously been told by an advisor, in no uncertain terms, that my account would not be passed to a collection agency.

The default which now appears on the account is for an amount which I would not consider substantial, and is now having a detrimental affect on both me and my partners lives as it's stopping us from getting a first time mortgage.

My dispute here isn't that I should not have to pay whatever is remaining (£136 or so) more so that I was not made aware that the account was defaulted despite being assured that this would not happen. Additionally, I was not chased for any sort of payment at any point and received no final warning.

I'm really hoping I can get some help here or I'll have to take the route of sending letter after letter after letter to try and get this resolved.

I was not sent any final reminders as I stayed in touch with Vodafone and kept them updated on my circumstances.

Surely it's not right for them to default me without taking the necessary steps to seek payment first?

Silk

The defaults would seem correct
When you make a late payment it's recorded as such likewise with missed payments.
If you're saying they are not correct you may have a chance

im-lost

What's there to resolve, you missed payments obviously, or you wouldnt owe anything, presumably you've recieved bills that you've failed to pay, by failing to pay you have defaulted, you admit there's money oowing, so you were obviously aware you defaulted and continued to do so by not paying. The fact you didn't pay when you knew you had defaulted would suggest any markers on your file are doing their purpose, to warn others of your inability to pay your bill.

vodafone would have sent multiple bills, made calls to you, before further letters stating they will pass it to a collection company if payment isn't made.

It's not Vodafones fault you pay your bills late and this is affecting your ability to get a mortgage,.

I also highly doubt a single missed or late payment will hinder you getting a mortgage, a missed payment in an otherwise clear credit report wouldn't send many lenders running for the hills.

tommytux

im-lost wrote: »

What's there to resolve, you missed payments obviously, or you wouldnt owe anything, presumably you've recieved bills that you've failed to pay, by failing to pay you have defaulted, you admit there's money oowing, so you were obviously aware you defaulted and continued to do so by not paying. The fact you didn't pay when you knew you had defaulted would suggest any markers on your file are doing their purpose, to warn others of your inability to pay your bill.

vodafone would have sent multiple bills, made calls to you, before further letters stating they will pass it to a collection company if payment isn't made.

It's not Vodafones fault you pay your bills late and this is affecting your ability to get a mortgage,.

I also highly doubt a single missed or late payment will hinder you getting a mortgage, a missed payment in an otherwise clear credit report wouldn't send many lenders running for the hills.

As stated in my original post, this did not happen; no letters were received telling me the debt was going to be passed on. Had this been the case, I would have tried to get some help in clearing the amount (from family etc)

Also, it wasn't a case of simply ignoring what I owed and trying to get out of it; I was always trying to pay something, even if it was not the full amount, and each time I would call I received assurances that the account would not been shut down / passed on.

Maybe I should not have took that as a concrete guarantee, but then again, I wouldn't expect their reps to give me wrong information and mislead me.

[Deleted User]

If managing a simple phone contract is to much to handle then a mortgage with all associated costs of running a house are clearly going to be beyond you...

tommytux

jeepjunkie wrote: »

If managing a simple phone contract is to much to handle then a mortgage with all associated costs of running a house are clearly going to be beyond you...

I manage my current phone contract just fine actually, as well as the monthly rent, council tax and utility bills.

You know nothing about the situation I was in so really shouldn't make judgments.

Buzby

You have fallen foul of an automated system and you are now finding what happens when you fail to make payments as promised. There is no leeway, you either comply or suffer the consequences.

Debts are a commodity, they are sold on and the original creditor moves on your credit file is used to warn others of your inability to pay on time, and you agreed to this when taking out the contract.

You can write a letter chain stating how unfair it all is, but the truth is, unless the data is inaccurate nothing will be done.

The good news? You will not be taken to court for what you owe - the damage to your CF is the only sanction, followed by begging letters from a range of DCAs who will attempt to wear you down until you give them what they want.

[Deleted User]

tommytux wrote: »

I manage my current phone contract just fine actually, as well as the monthly rent, council tax and utility bills.

You know nothing about the situation I was in so really shouldn't make judgments.

Yours post says otherwise. Defaulting on a credit agreement whilst planning on a mortgage...

tommytux

Buzby wrote: »

You have fallen foul of an automated system and you are now finding what happens when you fail to make payments as promised. There is no leeway, you either comply or suffer the consequences.

Debts are a commodity, they are sold on and the original creditor moves on your credit file is used to warn others of your inability to pay on time, and you agreed to this when taking out the contract.

You can write a letter chain stating how unfair it all is, but the truth is, unless the data is inaccurate nothing will be done.

The good news? You will not be taken to court for what you owe - the damage to your CF is the only sanction, followed by begging letters from a range of DCAs who will attempt to wear you down until you give them what they want.

I'm already paying off the amount they defaulted me for to try and get the default settled (though from what I've read, it won't make much difference in the short-term)

My main gripe is that they did not send me any letters threatening me or chasing me for payment, and as I say, I made payments on the account when and where I could while being told as long as I kept them upto date with my situation and attempted to pay, I would not receive a default.

tommytux

Anyway, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read my post and reply; it's appreciated.

I've got a letter that I'll be sending to Vodafone and we'll see what happens.

redcard

tommytux wrote: »

I manage my current phone contract just fine actually, as well as the monthly rent, council tax and utility bills.

You know nothing about the situation I was in so really shouldn't make judgments.

He was commenting on the facts.

You might have excuse acter excuse why you missed the payments, but the facts are you missed the payments.