BT woes

WinkleBrown

Hello,

Hoping someone can offer some help with a legacy issue. Around 6 years ago I shared a house with a friend - bills were shared 50/50 and we were each named billpayer on selected bills. Friend was name contact for BT bill. Friend then got job in Scotland, so rang BT to transfer bill into my name, friend moved to Scotland.
BT didn't transfer the account to me, they cut me off instead. I rang them to explain the situation and the line was re-instigated. Around a month later I rang them again to give notice as I was moving house - BT then told me that because I'd started a new contract with them just a month previously, I was liable for the full penalty fee of £180. I disuputed this, pointing out it was their error, and that customer services hadn't told me I was setting up a new account (if they had, I wouldn't have bothered, knowing I was moving out shortly).

BT and I continued 'discussions' about this debt until they referred it to a debt collection agency (think it was Moorcroft), so I then continued to refuse to pay it, copying all correspondence to BT and Moorcroft. Eventually after many many many emails, phonecalls and hours of time over several months, BT admitted they'd made a mistake (by email, which I've kept) and wrote off the now increased by fees, debt. I then had to contact Moorcroft to show them evidence of this, as BT said it wasn't their responsibility to do this. Hurrah! everything sorted... until another debt collection company got in touch the very next week to say BT had passed the debt onto them....

I totally lost patience at this point, and this letter co-incided with me moving house again for work, I didn't feel the need to inform BT/debt collection company as to my whereabouts.

(if you're still reading - thank you, sorry its such an epic!) my question would be - I know that this is still on my credit file, as it showed up when I got my mortgage (5 years ago) - should I try and get it removed, or just ignore it? and if I should tackle it - how? am seriously reluctant to engage with BT again, I swore I would never ever deal or be a customer with them again.

All advice/thoughts welcome! thank you for reading

fermi

I presume there is a default on your file? If so, how long until it is 6 years from the default date?

If not long then it may not be be worth the bother, as it will fall off at 6 year point anyway.

WinkleBrown

Hi fermi,
thanks for the quick reply!
I guess its a defult, yes - I'm quite ignorant about debt terms, but whatever is on my file didn't stop me getting mortgage, or subsequant credit card (which I diligently pay off each time I use it, so maybe thats more of a positive than the BT blot?!)

I had a phone call from the mortgage arranger at the bank to say that there was a minor issue with application - and I told him it must be related to this issue as I have no other financial complications. He then rang about an hour later to say mortgage was approved.

It must be either 6 years, or very very close to it - I've lived in my house nearly 5, and was a lodger before that for few months saving for deposit. Guessing it would be better to wait another 6 months or so before checking my credit file?

thanks for your thoughts

WB

fermi

If there is a default then it should say so, and list a "default date".

If there is no default then it becomes more complicated, as the credit file entry will only then drop off your file 6 years from the date the account is recorded as being settled.

In the worst case if it is not marked as a default, but not settled/satisfied either, then it will just sit there on your credit file permanently.

So you need to have a careful check to see what exactly it says.