Missed Payment, can it be removed?

Quickblood

I recently decided to purchase something from my Very catalogue, which I hadn't used in a while. Everything went fine and I assumed they'd take the minimum payment as usual from direct debit but much to my surprise I got a letter saying I'd defaulted and missed a payment.
I called them up for them to tell me that the direct debit had been cancelled, why I have no idea but they set it up again and waved the charge, that's all well and good but what I'd like is for it to be removed from my credit file but is that possible?

Strummer22

I'm like you - but mine was a credit card. Charges waived, like you.

I have never missed a payment before so was pretty unsure about what happens. But I think the first step is to politely request that they remove the mark from your credit file. If they waive the fee in my view they are also absolving you of responsibility. Anyway, I'm going to call my CC company this week to request this, so we can let each other know how we get on.

Quickblood

When I asked them about it at the time they said I'd have to contact credit agencies but I'm not sure where to begin, had a look on noddle and that missed payment is there now. All those years of fixing my credit and that has taken me right back.:mad:

Strummer22

It amazes me that the credit provider won't fix it on your behalf. I know they can, I've read financial ombudsman rulings where they rule that a credit provider who was in the wrong has to fix the customer's credit file. Well, I'd call Very once more to clarify your position. Aside from that, where to begin is to phone up the credit agencies! Don't let them sell you anything ;-)
You'll need to contact Experian, Equifax and CallCredit. If they say they won't help you, the last option is to request a note on your file explaining the mark to 'have your say'. I hope credit providers actually read those...

Also, don't panic, one late payment does not spoil your credit. I'd be amazed if it affected anything about any credit product you'll be offered. Lenders want to steer clear of people who are delinquent over a long period on multiple accounts. Keep up the good habits and one little blemish will not matter.

P.S. an ombudsman ruling showing that even without their intervention the credit provider had removed late payment markers: http://www.ombudsman-decisions.org.uk/viewPDF.aspx?FileID=94730

Quickblood

Thanks for your help I'll try them in the morning.

Cheers!

Thrugelmir

Quickblood wrote: »

I recently decided to purchase something from my Very catalogue, which I hadn't used in a while.

How long? As there's a point at which a direct debit mandate will lapse if unused.

Strummer22

See my other thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/69674270#Comment_69674270

Missed payments that weren't my fault will, I'm told, be removed from my credit file by the credit provider (Post Office Ltd).

I wonder, rather than chasing the credit agencies, perhaps you'll have better luck opening a formal complaint against Very. Perhaps just the threat of it will make them remove the credit black mark, but even if not they will hopefully do it to resolve the complaint.

GingerBob_3

Very are one of the worst offenders for blacklisting customers at the CRAs for trivial reasons, many of which are linked to unclear T&Cs. Time and again their name is mentioned on this forum as being problematic. I think the best advice is stay away from Very. Cancel any account you might have with them.