Frustrated with a default on my credit file

ashe

In 2013 I took out a mobile phone for my partner at the time. We split up some years later and she had the account put into her name, or so I thought at the time - all the DD's changed over to her bank account, the address was changed to her address and she moved out the country to go teaching in Dubai and told me the account was closed.

In march 2016 I had a call from a debt agency who wouldnt speak to me as my address didn't match their system. Contacted EE who said there were no accounts in my name and the only one they could see had been changed into her name and I needn't worry as nothing will be affecting my credit rating.

4 months later had a call from another credit agency, spent about 2 weeks back and forth between Orange and EE and eventually they listened to the calls she made when she called to close the account, it was not fully transferred into her name and she was told she would need to get me to call. She said we werent on good terms and the agent basically told her its not her problem and if she just stops paying it wont come back to her. I was fuming because I had been told several times this want against my account and not to worry etc. EE apologised, gave me a £40 goodwill gesture, wiped the balance on the account and that was that.

We are currently applying for a mortgage and I had done Experien credit reports before and they generally show a high score, but I know this should not be looked at on its own. Out of interest I ran one with Noddle just now and it gives me a score of 2/5 or 555 out of 771 and says this is poor. I am absolutely gutted as I earn good money, have never missed a mortgage, credit card or hire purchase loan payment or utility bill and always considered myself to have good credit.

I have been reading about Notices of Correction - is there any value to me adding a supporting statement to my file to explain this? The default amount is a massive £67!

[Deleted User]

I wouldn't add an NoC. It tends to just delay and confuse matters.

Hopefully you are using a broker for your mortgage - I would hope they would know where to place this one, if the default is settled and is the only blemish on an otherwise solid history.

ashe

Yes, we are using a broker. We have a decision in principle as Accept but don't know if that would be factored in at this stage or only at full application. Full application starts tomorrow.

Frustrating as I thought all this was resolved and we have found a dream house.

spadoosh

Sorry not seeing this clear.

You have a default on your Noddle credit file showing from EE for £67?

That default is in relation to an account which EE wrote off and offered you recompense for?


When was the default applied?

Im sure youve realised but youve put yourself in a bad position relying on the good nature of an ex partner. Its an awkward one. Id be working to get it removed myself.

A notice of correction probably wont help you much. Its a bit like asking a convicts view of their guilt so unlikely to carry much weight.

Id get back in touch with EE about the writing off of the account and goodwill gesture. Ask if they accept that the debt wasnt yours then they shouldnt be applying a default on your credit file.

It can be quite technical and drawn out but id say you either accept the default and the pitfalls for 6 years after it was issued or you have a good look in to how you go about getting a default overturned. It can be done and theres room for negotiation.

i had one removed when a family member used my (underage) details to buy something and defaulted, i paid to settle the account (£800) on the basis they would remove the default and wouldnt go down the fraud route. I had it pretty damn easy though if im honest, they had a dated credit agreement from me when i wouldve been 17 years old. The phone conversations where brilliant.

spadoosh

ashe wrote: »

Yes, we are using a broker. We have a decision in principle as Accept but don't know if that would be factored in at this stage or only at full application. Full application starts tomorrow.

Frustrating as I thought all this was resolved and we have found a dream house.

Yeh i was in that boat. We had AIP that hadnt picked up a default. It was 6 months before the default was finally removed and the house had long gone. Fortunately we ended up with a better one 6 months after that.


ETA whats your broker said about it?

ashe

Yes, I have sent a query to EE's credit file team asking them for an urgent review.

I appreciate I was naive in letting her use my details for it, but as she took over payments into her account I assumed that was resolved and the several times that I contacted EE they reassured me it would be against her details.

In fact they wouldnt even discuss 'her' account with me because it was not the name on the account.

On Noddle, the account is shown as OK since Dec 2013 when it was opened, and continues to be OK until Sep 2015 when it changes to UC/DT which the key says Dormant/Inactive and there might be a dispute about funds due, it continues right up to Jul 2016 in the same vein with green blobs then Aug 2016 it changes to D - Query Account under review and then D - Satisfied in Sept. The default is dated 19/04/16. Annoyingly this was all resolved over the phone as well so I have no paper trail to rely on.

ashe

Broker doesn't know yet, he is coming tomorrow - I didn't know about this until just now as was convinced I had a great credit record until I saw all this!

spadoosh

Was the address changed over the phone and by her?

If it was thats your get out card, if not youre still negotiating.

spadoosh

ashe wrote: »

Broker doesn't know yet, he is coming tomorrow - I didn't know about this until just now as was convinced I had a great credit record until I saw all this!

I cant see this not putting a spanner in the works if im honest.

I was in a very similar situation and we bought 12 months after, took 6 months to get the default taken off and reports updated and then we where just hesitant with getting credit checks etc.

ashe

Yes she changed the address. The address on the credit file is my name but her address in Wales. I've never lived at that address, hence I didn't receive any statements or letters about it.

Candyapple

The free versions to check your credit files are below:
Experian: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/creditclub
Equifax: https://www.clearscore.com
Call Credit: https://www.noddle.co.uk

There are lenders who will accept you with a default and some lenders who will disregard a default if it's from a mobile phone company altogether. Make sure your broker places your application with the correct one.

As this is not going to be a quick fix, I would send a subject access request to EE and specifically refer them to the that phone call where they wiped the balance and gave you £40 goodwill gesture, and ask them to remove the data from all 3 of the credit reference agencies. Or to expedite matters, I assume you've already got a solicitor instructed, once you've received the files/data from EE, ask your solicitor to send them a letter before action requesting they remove the default.