Vodafone default on credit file.

MikeNeedsHelp

Right please bare with me as I'm new to not only MSE but forums. Lately I've decided to sort my finances as I'm beginning to think about the future as I'm 22.

So I signed up to a credit report website only to find that my score is awfully poor. A large factor of this is a default on my account from Vodafone. Now this is understandable here's the story. I took out a phone with carphone warehouse and signed for phone insurance incase of theft or loss. After my phone was stolen I went to the shop to explain my situation to which they denied me a new phone because I "didn't take out the right insurance". There was around 16 months left on this 'contract' to which I stopped paying. So I got into this mess myself. However Vodafone then sent me a letter of a increased amount of around £630 due to interest and saying they had put a default on my credit score until the amount had been paid which again is understandable. So I then called them up to arrange a payment amount of £50 a month which then finished this year in Febuary, thinking I was free of the burden. Today I checked my credit score to find the fault was still there!! Now this case is now getting on for being 24 months old and thinking it was all taken care of I threw out the letters never wanting to worry about Vodafone again! But now I have no letter to where I paid the money, I cannot remember the phone number of the account in question and getting through to a Vodafone representative without this information is impossible!

So my question to the MSE army is... Is there a way I can get a hold of Vodafone outstanding credit or something related to this case to ask if they can remove the default from my account?

Is it possible for them to remove the default or will it remain there for the 7 years? Please could you all help me, I'm really trying to sort a future with my girlfriend and have learnt my lesson. Without sorting this mess out a mortgage will me astronomical!

Thank you,
Regards MikeNeedsHelp

haras_nosirrah

The default will remain for 6 years regardless of whether it is paid or not. It should be marked as settled

It will therefore be there for another four years but there is less of an impact after it is three years old

David_White

Haras_nosirrah is spot on. The default will stay on your file for 6 years regardless of whether you have repaid the debt or not I'm afraid.

MikeNeedsHelp

Thank you for the replies you have both been really helpful. So it's it 7 years from the fully paid date or from when the initially default was added?

mwarby

6 years from the date it was added

Also worth remembering that what the CRA think of the default is neither here nor there.

I believe some mortgage companies overlook mobile phone defaults, if that's the only problem(as they are not uncommon). They are more interested in affordability and stability

If you can't persuade vodafone to remove the default, it maybe worth looking for a broker.

MikeNeedsHelp

mwarby wrote: »

6 years from the date it was added

Also worth remembering that what the CRA think of the default is neither here nor there.

I believe some mortgage companies overlook mobile phone defaults, if that's the only problem(as they are not uncommon). They are more interested in affordability and stability

If you can't persuade vodafone to remove the default, it maybe worth looking for a broker.

I have done some more research and a lot of people in the same position as me have said that they contact Vodafone and got them removed, unfortunately they haven't said how they contacted them and I cannot get through to the correct department. Even equifax have told some people that they should remove it given the regulations they have to obide by.

mwarby

A quick google for 'mortgage default guidelines' uncovered the following for woolwich

'1) Max 3 Defaults to a max of £150.00. These must be fully paid at least 36 months ago or over prior to application. This condition does not incur any rate loading.'

nationwide will also consider bankrupts after 3 years, so I'd think they would judge a small default on a mobile too harshly

mwarby

With any luck a vodafone rep will respond on this thread, hopefully they can help

MikeNeedsHelp

That's good news, however even this one fault is a black mark against my report is annoying me as VF shouldn't just use there powers to throw these onto credit files.

A lot of people have said they have been reject for a mortgage due to this default and I don't want the same to happen to me in a few years when it's my turn.

mwarby

The older the default the lower the impact, also if it's settled it'll look better. Try and get it removed\settled but If you can't, focus on other aspects (like saving for deposit, showing you aren't reliant on credit, showing you can maintain credit accounts etc)

MikeNeedsHelp

I have sent out a bunch of emails to different levels of the company including the CEO to see if I can somehow come to a resolution with this issues. Thanks for your responses though they much appreciated and helpful.