How much power do debt collectors have over credit file?

Chronos7

Okay, I have made a number of silly mistakes in the past resulting in a number of defaults on my credit file. There are various reasons for these (or 'excuses') none of which are relavent so I wont go into detail.

I am currently on a mission to get each and every one of these settled. 3 down, 2 to go! I know they are more than likely going to be on my file for the fixed term of 6 years and that having them as "Settled" isn't really any better than "Default" however the debt is owed therefor I will pay.

For the defaults which I have settled so far, I am attempting to contact the relavent party, plead my case over the impact that the default is having on my life as well as the fact they are now settled, see if there is any good will there with regards to removing them from my file.

I have read this has mixed success however it has/does happen, especially for smaller amounts (which mine all are - all sub £300).

My current issue is over who CAN remove the default. Not who might, but who actually can.

Does it have to be the original creditor (who logged the default) that I speak to with regards to removing it or can the Debt collector that it has been either given or sold to do so?

Two out of the three defaults I have settled so far were with a debt collector and the third was with the actual credit card company themselves.

I spoke to one of the debt collectors who I settled one of the credit card debts with and they informed me of two things. 1) The original creditor will not speak to me about the issue as they sold the debt to them and 2) they would not consider removing the default as it was, and I quote, "Financially regulated that the Default must remain on the credit file for 6 years, no more and no less".

So, do I write to them and plead my case or do I write to the original Creditor? If I was able to persuade the debt collector (IDEM Services btw) to remove it as a good will gesture, do they have the power to do so seeing as they never logged the default in the first place? I can see they have marked it as settled (on completely the wrong date incidentaly) but I dont want to waste time chasing them if the power lays with the creditor.

Sorry if this is long winded.. if you made it this far, have a :beer: !!

Thanks folks.