Is there any way to remove a default from a credit file?

mortgagenoob

I was wondering if anyone could offer me any advice on removing a default from a credit file? My girlfriend has got a default on her credit file that was registered on the 29th of June 2016 owed to Paypal. I am willing to pay her balance in full and immediately but from looking around on the internet it doesn't seem like this will make any difference.

I know she shouldn't have buried her head in the sand but it seems excessive to ruin her credit profile for the next 6 years over 3 late payments. If anyone can offer any advice or suggestions I would be eternally grateful.

Mant thanks

Hazzinho

Ring and ask them, probably not though as it is an accurate reflection of how she's managed credit. If everyone that defaulted had them removed then everyone would have perfect credit.

The whole point of defaults is to alert lenders that the applicant has breached credit agreements in the past.

Nebulous2

A settled default will look better than an unsettled one, but it will still be on her credit record. Its impact will reduce with time.

SunnyBanker

I wouldn't phone but I would write a letter...and although they technically shouldn't be removed, it can work. I've had three defaults removed from my credit files this year - one from Avon, one from Orange and another from EE.

They were all well deserved (I stopped paying them, for reasons with which I won't bore you!) and all for less than £500.

I wrote letters apologising for the problems and giving a brief reason and went on to say that considering the huge negative impact a default has on credit files, and the fact that the amount was so low, I thought it was unfairly punitive of them and would appreciate it being removed. The defaults were unsatisfied (paying them off at £5 a month each at that time) so I finished by saying I would of course clear the full balance immediately, so please advise me the final amount and how to do it.

All three wrote back with similar responses - that they were not at fault, the default had been applied correctly - but that if I cleared the full balance, they would remove their entry from my credit files.

So definitely worth an ask!