Debt on my file - not mine

Motor27

Some context: I turned 18 a few weeks ago and had some savings I need to put in a new account. Every bank now needs a credit report, and at this point I don't have one. I requested a statutory one from Equifax who gave me the report. Everything looks great, once I'm on the electoral roll and this shows that should make everything perfect.

There is one "settled" credit agreement showing, and as this is the only credit agreement, I think that may be affecting my score badly. It's for a phone contract that I didn't pay for, wasn't for me and was put in my name without my consent (by my dear mother) - who put the wrong DOB down (and this shows on the credit report). There was a disagreement, which resulted in them providing a discount (due to their AWFUL customer service), which may be why it shows as "settled". All months are showing "up to date" apart from the final month. I requested multiple times for them to change the account to her name, which they said they'd do but never did.

How would I go about removing this debt completely from my report? Or, would it be an option to have the status changed to paid off completely, which would obviously look good (2.5 years of payment on time)? I'm unsure if the latter is an option, however, as they offered a partial refund in the last month which could technically make the debt "settled".

[Deleted User]

First off ignore your score.

Second the banks don’t need a copy of your credit report to open an account - they find out all the information they need directly from the CRA’s when you make an application.

If the mobile account is a fraudulent application then you need to report it to the police and action fraud.

If however you did it knowingly then there’s nothing you can do to remove it

Willing2Learn

There is nothing you can do about the fraud account (except for shopping your mum to the authorities as set out by Gary). Is it marked as a defaulted account or just with a late payment marker? The good news is that the fraudulent account drops off of your file six years from the date the account was settled (or defaulted).

Motor27

Obviously, I wouldn't like my mother prosecuted for fraud. However, I will transfer this debt to her if I can as I believe she's the liable one.

Equifax shows the status as "settled", with all months apart from the last showing as "up to date".

I never agreed the account should be in my name, but I was aware of it and asked multiple times for them to change it (which they said they would do). I definitely never signed a credit agreement. As they offered the refund voluntarily after a complaint, is this technically a "settled debt"? Can I not have them update the record and show as my mother's debt as this was, and should show as her account?

Willing2Learn

I cannot see how you can have the evidence to get the account transferred to your mother's credit file, if you do not get the police involved. It is just a 'late payment' marker for the last month (or are you saying there is no 'late payment' marker showing).

If it were me, I would not get the police involved as I would just forget about it (tell your mum off though and explain to her that what she did was wrong).

[Deleted User]

No. The account in your name and can't be transferred. The legal route is the only way to have it removed.

Motor27

I phoned them multiple times and asked them to change the name, as they had mistakenly changed the account to my name when all was asked for was access to it. They will have a copy of a letter somewhere confirming the mistake.

I'm unsure of if they've made a further mistake as every payment was made on time, but on one month they offered a partial refund. Is this why they marked it as "Settled" and not "satisfied"?

[Deleted User]

You need to contact the provider then with as much evidence as possible that backs up your claim

Willing2Learn

Motor27 wrote: »

I'm unsure of if they've made a further mistake as every payment was made on time, but on one month they offered a partial refund. Is this why they marked it as "Settled" and not "satisfied"?

As far as I am aware, 'Settled' status means the account has been closed without default. This is a positive 'marker'

Gaz83

Motor27 wrote: »

I phoned them multiple times and asked them to change the name, as they had mistakenly changed the account to my name when all was asked for was access to it. They will have a copy of a letter somewhere confirming the mistake.

I'm unsure of if they've made a further mistake as every payment was made on time, but on one month they offered a partial refund. Is this why they marked it as "Settled" and not "satisfied"?

Do you mean the account was originally taken out in your mother's name, then you / she phoned requesting you being allowed to access the account, and instead they've transferred it entirely over to you?

Pixie5740

Motor27 wrote: »

I phoned them multiple times and asked them to change the name, as they had mistakenly changed the account to my name when all was asked for was access to it. They will have a copy of a letter somewhere confirming the mistake.

I'm unsure of if they've made a further mistake as every payment was made on time, but on one month they offered a partial refund. Is this why they marked it as "Settled" and not "satisfied"?

This makes no sense. In your opening post you say that your mother opened an account in your name. Are you now saying the mobile phone service provider changed your mum's account into your name?