Unsure how to deal with old bank defaults

Jojomeme

Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to read my post.
I am hoping someone here will possibly have the knowledge to advise me on what to do in regards to 2 old debts I have on my credit report.
Recently I was turned down for a rental property for me and my little boy. I was a little confused as my credit file said good and my score was 896. However I do have 2 old debts from my early 20's to Natwest bank.
Basically when I was around 21, I put some pictures up online in the hope to become a model and make a little extra money. I was contacted by a company wanting to buy one of my pictures who said they will send me a cheque for x amount and that I could take my share and to send the other to an agent for them via western union. So I received the cheques and paid them into my account.
The cheques cleared I took out my share and went shopping as you do at 21 and I took the rest to the western union and sent it off to the agent.
The next day I went to my bank, which was now suddenly overdrawn for the amount that was paid in via these cheques. It turned out to be a total scam. I contacted the western union and managed to get the money cancelled and returned to my account but I was still around £300 overdrawn. I begged Natwest for help as they did clear the funds in the first place but they just weren't interested and started piling the charges on.
Every time I paid a little bit in the charges just kept going up. Within around 2 months it was up to around the £600, as they just kept sending me demand after demand. I only worked in a bar on minimum wage at weekends and attended college in the week, so I just couldn't cover that amount. In a panic, I just began to ignore my bank and eventually moved out to get away from all the nasty letters.
At the same time I also had a loan with Natwest that I had paid on time and up to date till this point. The original loan was for £5000 but I had the pay back around £7500 including PPI. The balance left to pay was £1026 and that is the balance showing on my credit score today. I ran away from these 2 debts which is wrong but I just couldn't afford to pay them both.
The bank charges reached around £1500 and at least 80% of this is just charges. I am now 28 and although I stopped paying the debts 7 years ago Natwest did not default them till 2010.
I am unsure how to approach removing these debts from my file. I am still not on a high wage but if the only way to get rid of these old debts is to pay them then I will but I still don't know how I would go about contacting them for a payment plan.
It does seem slightly unfair that I would have to pay back all the charges that were due to an act of fraud on my account, I just wish Natwest could have been more understanding at the time.
An now all these years later I've been turned down for the perfect house for me and my little one, all because I ran away from my debts.
I really hope someone can help me with this.

Thank you
&
Best Wishes

happy_bunny_2

Not sure why you were turned down for a rental property, as they can't see defaults. Are you sure you don't have one or more CCJs? They can see those as they are public records.

Check all 3 CRAs. Experian, Equifax and call credit. Last one is free to check via Noddle, but is the least used.

You need to lodge a formal complaint, in writing, stating that the account should have defaulted many years ago (don't be too specific).

Overdrafts are a bit funny, but they are taking the pee.

The loan should have defaulted within 6 months of not paying.

Defaults stay on your report fir 6 years.

I would also complain about the original problem that resulted in the default.

-taff

You are responsible for the act of fraud because you fell for a scam, not the bank.
Hainvg said that, the debts should be statute barred because the date of default should be when you stopped paying.
If they are being arsy about the default date, you can still make a complaint about the sale of PPI. Anything you had back for that would be offset against the debt so that would probably clear it too.
Students [ who are also working less than 16hrs a week] shouldn't be paying PPI

-taff

And don't pay for Experian or Equifax, they've usually got free sign ups for one month although you do have to be very firm about cancelling your account with them after.