Duplicate entry or a debt on my credit file

spikypaddy

Hi all, hopefully a quick one for you! I've got a defaulted HSBC credit card account present on my credit file on all services I've checked. It is showing a consistent default figure, with no reduction in the remaining balance.

However, this debt has been with a debt collection company for over three years and is being paid off in monthly instalments to the debt collection company. It is also appearing on my credit file with this company showing the same default date and amount as the HSBC entry, but sowing a balance reducing month-by-month with my regular payments.

I'm not disputing the debt, but I want to know the best way to go about removing the duplicate entry from my credit files, as it makes my (admittedly poor anyway) credit history look even worse than it actually is. I tried raising a dispute via Noddle, but after a month they wrote to me to inform me that as my lender didn't respond to them, they couldn't do anything about it.

I also asked the debt collection agency to confirm the origin of my debt, but after a month they have informed me that they are "still awaiting the statements" from my original lender.

What's the best way to proceed now in order to get this corrected? Thanks in advance!

ukamber1

spikypaddy wrote: »

Hi all, hopefully a quick one for you! I've got a defaulted HSBC credit card account present on my credit file on all services I've checked. It is showing a consistent default figure, with no reduction in the remaining balance.

However, this debt has been with a debt collection company for over three years and is being paid off in monthly instalments to the debt collection company. It is also appearing on my credit file with this company showing the same default date and amount as the HSBC entry, but sowing a balance reducing month-by-month with my regular payments.

I'm not disputing the debt, but I want to know the best way to go about removing the duplicate entry from my credit files, as it makes my (admittedly poor anyway) credit history look even worse than it actually is. I tried raising a dispute via Noddle, but after a month they wrote to me to inform me that as my lender didn't respond to them, they couldn't do anything about it.

I also asked the debt collection agency to confirm the origin of my debt, but after a month they have informed me that they are "still awaiting the statements" from my original lender.

What's the best way to proceed now in order to get this corrected? Thanks in advance!

Hi, I'm no expert so hopefully someone will jump on thread soon but you should only have 1 default for this debt....and should not have 2 defaults on your file for the "same" debt. If debt has been sold on, then I would guess the debt collection company now own the debt and HSBC should remove their entry or atleast amend it to show "zero"? Do Noddle just show a copy of Callcredit report? If so, maybe it would be best for Callcredit to contact HSBC to have default removed or amended? I have read that sometimes 2 defaults entries can show on your file but the Lender needs to add "settled" or "zero" and re-assigned so that anyone that see's the default knows its the same debt and not 2 different ones

Sorry I couldnt help more....Again, I'm no expert so hopefully someone will confirm if correct..

sonstream

ukamber1 wrote: »

Hi, I'm no expert so hopefully someone will jump on thread soon but you should only have 1 default for this debt....and should not have 2 defaults on your file for the "same" debt. If debt has been sold on, then I would guess the debt collection company now own the debt and HSBC should remove their entry or atleast amend it to show "zero"? Do Noddle just show a copy of Callcredit report? If so, maybe it would be best for Callcredit to contact HSBC to have default removed or amended? I have read that sometimes 2 defaults entries can show on your file but the Lender needs to add "settled" or "zero" and re-assigned so that anyone that see's the default knows its the same debt and not 2 different ones

Sorry I couldnt help more....Again, I'm no expert so hopefully someone will confirm if correct..

It's possible to have two defaults for the same debt, the original creditor and also the debt collector, what should happen is the original creditor should mark it as satisfied (zero balance) as you no longer owe it to them and assign it a flag to state it's been transferred to a collector (the flag also stops it effecting your credit report) the second file should mirror the original debt same start date,default amount and default date etc the only thing that would be different would be the lenders name. The reason this is to show where the debt came from and where it went. If it doesn't contact the credit bureau to get them to query it:)

spikypaddy

Thank you both. I've looked again. There is definitely a total duplicate - the credit report on Noddle and Experian even adds both amounts to my total debt outstanding - making it look like I owe £3,000 more than I do!

I queried it with Noddle - they basically said HSBC didn't respond, so they've hidden the debt from me - not much help when it's also appearing on my credit file with other credit check agencies. I wrote to the debt collection agency to query the origin of the debt - they have taken four months to basically confirm that the origin of the debt is the HSBC credit card. They have now sent me statements for the credit card balance - do I need to now write to HSBC and the collection agency to request that HSBC remove their duplicate entry from my file?

I know I'm about £7k in debt, slowly pulling myself out, but this duplicate entry makes it look like I'm instead £10k in debt!

ashp_2

Who owns the debt now (who is the debt collecter)? There should not be 2 defaults on your report that's for sure. I can't imagine you are going to get far with HSBC.

spikypaddy

The debt is now owned by Robinson Way - who are receiving monthly payment from me for it. Who am I best to approach in order to clear the duplicate entry?

ashp_2

spikypaddy wrote: »

The debt is now owned by Robinson Way - who are receiving monthly payment from me for it. Who am I best to approach in order to clear the duplicate entry?

I see you said noddle have "hidden the debt from you". I find that very strange. What other credit reports have you looked at?

spikypaddy

I've also looked at Experian - I paid for a report back in September, which also shows the duplicate debt entry - one under HSBC and one under Hoist Portfolio Holding.

The Noddle response basically said "Your creditor hasn't replied, so we can't do anything about it - we'll hide it for you instead. However, it'll still be visible when your details are searched."

ashp_2

I think what needs to happen is HSBC need to mark the debt as Satisfied. There are a few ways to go about this. My first course of action would be to go through experian and dispute the the HSBC entry. As they have sold the debt the balance should be £0. I know you have taken this up with noddle but I think you will have more success with experian. As well as this I would write a letter to HSBC stating the above.

Failing both of the above I would go to the ICO but you must give HSBC reasonable time to respond before doing so.

spikypaddy

Thanks for that - I'll try disputing the data with Experian as first course of action, in that case.

ashp_2

spikypaddy wrote: »

Thanks for that - I'll try disputing the data with Experian as first course of action in that case.

You won't have much luck with HSBC directly I would imagine I tell you that from experience. I'm a 10 year customer with a perfect record and I couldn't even get them to close an account without raising a dispute through experian who were hugely helpful.
I would also get a letter off to HSBC asap if you look on the IOC website you can probably find a template which you can adjust to suit your complaint. Send a recorded copy off to HSBC and give them 28 days to respond. Keep a copy incase they do not respond and if they do not respond go to the IOC with a copy of the letter you sent and they will hopefully help you get it resolved.