How would i go about fixing an unfair default on my score?

roasty_duck

I currently have a default on my credit score from BT for £174 and i was curious as to how i would get it removed as it is unjustified.

I had a contract with BT however they removed BT sport from the package and put the price up so i called them to cancel as i was within my rights to cancel with no extra cost, they agreed that it is fine so i went ahead. 6 months later i received a letter from them demanding £174 for the final costs and such, i explained multiple times and was told it was be sorted out but months on i got 2 more letters and was told i had to pay it even after explaining.

around 6 months after the first letter i was then chased by a debt collector for the money to which i explained the situation on the phone and was told they will speak to BT, i then got a letter from them saying they are no longer chasing me, this happened with 3 companies until it stopped and i had guessed that was the end of it until recently seeing it on my credit score.

What can i do from here?

Dobbibill

If you are not liable for the debt and it is indeed an error then contact BT - make a formal complaint if necessary and ask them to remove it.

PixelPound

Only the creditor who put it on can remove and its unlikely to. It also sounds like the money is still outstanding and you have simply refused to pay. Did you ever get written confirmation that you didn't owe the money any more? Did BT tell you you no longer owe the money or it was simply "sorted" which could mean anything.

BT probably tried getting the money from you, then they outsourced it to debt collectors. As its now sorted, the next step will be they will sell the debt on, who will try and recover it and possibly go down the CCJ if you continue to refuse.

So if you never got written proof then maybe get a DSAR of the calls?

sourcrates

Your problem is with BT, as said above, they are the only ones who can settle this matter, unfortunately they dont have the best customer service in the world, but all you can do is try.

You need to send a written complaint to BT, outline your concerns, detail what has gone on before, and what they told you, ask them to remove the default.

The only way to get a resolution now is to follow there complaints procedure and hope someone with some common sense deals with it.

john2054

You could also try writing a notice of correction on your credit files, to draw attention to this issue. However it sounds like to me that it is your fault for not paying the bill, and you will have to cope with this.

daedal

One thing I've found with dealing with BT never do it over the phone, either email them and request a reply in writing, it takes longer but if you need to escalate things, you have copies of everything, so there is no confusion. Also while you are querying a debt they should make the default on your credit record as being queried.

roasty_duck

totally forgot i posted this here but may as well update

Ended up pestering bt non stop for 2 months until i gave up, then one day i got irritated seeing it on my credit score still so i phoned them up and i actually spoke to the most helpful guy in the wold, less than 45 minutes later i had an email confirmation that it will be removed from my credit file and debt wiped clean, couple of months later it was gone.

they admitted it was their error as i was within my rights to leave my contract with no fees due to a price change and i left within 14 days of being notified of the change,