Can a debt collector add to credit file if original lender never did?

BenAB

Out of the blue (that's another story all together) a debt collector contacted me regarding an old bill outstanding for some furniture from - this bill was for £500 which I paid.

However, I have just noticed that they have registered a default from Feb 2014 for the original balance £853.

The original lender (for the the furniture) never added our credit account to my credit file at any point.

Therefore, is the debt collector legally allowed to suddenly file this default?

If they are, what are the chances of having it removed?

DevCoder

Yes they can register a default on your credit file as long as the default date is correct. I'm assuming you did actually default in Feb 2014?

The chances of having it removed are slim, credit files should be an accurate representation of your credit history.

fermi

The sale or passing of the debt to a collector is a indication of a default under ICO guidelines. You don't give any date or timeline for the original debt, but the default date on your report must be 'accurate'. Within 3-6 months of you not paying the original, or when the account was sold - whichever was earlier.

May have been an original default by the lender which was swiftly put in the collector's name when sold, or may have been out on straight on as the collector if the default indicator was the actual sale of the debt.

Gordon_Hose

Yes they are allowed to add it. If you did actually default there is very little chance of getting it removed.

DandelionPatrol

Was it credit as in 'a loan' or was it a bill as in 'pay in full'?

If it was a pay in full bill, I would be asking the question as to whether a pay in full bill should be on a credit report, absent a CCJ