EE Ruined My Credit Score

EEproblems

Hello,

I recently applied for a mortgage with my partner. We have been refused by two companies. He has an experian score of 999, so we realized it must be me and my score is 585 which is low/poor. In particular, and quite worryingly, there is a default/delinquent from EE Mobile, which is the only thing wrong with my entire report. The rest of it is fine.

The issue with EE was supposedly resolved 12 months ago. They had overcharged me one month due to an admin clerical error, at the end of my contract. I was assured via a phone call that all was fine, my bill was paid and there was no extra money owed. We've had no contact with EE for almost 12 months now.

I have had contracts with Three and O2, and have never had this issue (paid and up-to-date) and it seems I am not the only one who EE have caused credit issues:

community.ee.co.uk/t5/My-Bill/EE-ruined-my-credit-score/td-p/357872

community.ee.co.uk/t5/My-Bill/EE-Credit-File-Error/td-p/284843

skwalker1964.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/eeoranges-error-has-ruined-my-credit-rating-watch-out-it-doesnt-happen-to-you/

(sorry I can't link because I'm new)

We are totally out of ideas, other than trying to get a credit card and rebuild my score. That of course, could be refused as well adding even more misery to our current situation.

We earn reasonably well compared to most people our age, this really shouldn't be an issue whatsoever. We are trying to buy our first house and this is causing a huge amount of stress and pain, especially over what is apparently a £30 bill (I'd pay it just to get it off!!)

Please please, if anyone can help, we would really appreciate it.

RichyRich

If I were in your position, my first port of call would be contacting EE with a view to resolving the issue by settling any balance owed (if any) and getting the default removed from my credit report. There should be an address on the credit report that you can write to. Send EE a factual (not emotive) letter setting out the circumstances, the assurances you were given that the balance had been paid and the fact that this has impacted your credit report.

Remember, there are three credit reference agencies and not all credit providers report to all of them, and not all lenders check them all. If you have already checked Experian, you can check Equifax and CallCredit for free at Clearscore and Noddle.

DCFC79

It's not the score you want to rebuild, well you can if you feel you won't be complete without a high score but lenders don't see see the score, lenders see the history.

GingerBob_3

If you do not get a rapid resolution to this blacklisting - and EE followed by the ICO are the first organisations to tackle about it - then you may want to take up the matter with a solicitor. If these markers have in any way caused you losses then you have a strong case. Regardless of any legal action on your part to sue the perpetrators, you should at the very least get compensation from them.


Following resolution you could see your MP about the general issue - that CRA reporting is not fit for purpose. Your case, together with many others, a large number of which appear on this board, are good examples.

EEproblems

Thank you very much for your suggestions so far.

@RichyRich thanks for your reply. I've sent a letter to EE customer support, Marc Allera and their head office. I've tried to keep it factual, but it's obviously hard not to get emotional. This is stopping me from getting my first house and having found one we both like, I feel like we're going to miss out

I will check all the other agencies too. Ive also been reading up on correction notes which perhaps I could do.

@DCFC79 thanks for this. Does that mean there's no point in taking out a credit card?

@GingerBob thanks. I've contacted EE so hopefully they'll get back quickly, and I see the ICO provide a sort of 'letter before action' template. I've filled it in and printed it ready to post Monday morning. I'm not overly bothered about compensation, I'm just desperate to buy this house. Having had the offer accepted a week ago, we really didn't foresee any kind of issues and just wanted to press on with the formalities. I feel there's a real chance we could lose it due to a lack of progress.