Can I challenge a defaulted payment?

Labinopper

I've recently done a credit check through noodle and noticed a £79 outstanding payment to EE, so I rang them to find out why, turns out when I phoned up to cancel my phone contract there was an outstanding payment owing so they couldn't cancel it, supposedly informing me of that at the time but I can't recall that as I would've just paid the balance to cancel it (I've always been pretty good with bills and this is my only default on file) it seems to have hit me pretty hard financially as now on noodle my score is 406 and the average user is 611, and I've never been refused for credit before now, which is what prompted the search. I requested dates and they told me I contacted them on the 17th March last year requesting an upgrade and they told me about the payment so I said I'd ring back to pay and upgrade (according to them) however I took out a contract with O2 on the 15th of February, and I know 100% I wouldn't attempt to upgrade an old contract one month into a 24 month policy? I disagreed but told them out of good will I'd like to pay the bill to clear my credit file and they told me I could pay it but it wouldn't remove any of the defaults off my file (I have defaulted monthly for a single payment missed?) So I asked why I wasn't contacted and informed about all of this and supposedly they have made numerous attempts, however I haven't moved house or changed my email address or landline number which EE had on file as I asked them to verify it for me, I even carried over my existing mobile number?! Is there anything I can do? I feel victimised through this, my credit file appears to be ruined over a £79 payment which is practically pocket money to me which I would've gladly handed over had I been aware.
They did say if I paid that the defaults would be 'Settled' how much of a difference does that make? She did say the defaults would be on file for 6 years. I've worked hard keeping payments up to date even through financial difficulties, seems stupid I can loose it all through this?
Thanks for your help guys,
Andy.

fermi

Once defaulted, a D/8 in the monthly status history is just the normal way these are shown. They are not new defaults, but just status updates on the original.

It will all only be there for 6 years from the original initial default date. Later D/8s come of atf that time also.

Read the info here --> https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3172602

If you think based on that the info recorded is still unfair, then complain stating that unless remedied you will be taking them to whichever ombudsman applies to them, and reporting the issue to the ICO.