Who is my 'Credit File default notice' dispute with?

rapper57

My family and I moved to Australia in September, 2015 for a work contract. While in Australia I was contacted by my mother in-law to tell me that a letter had arrived from LINK Finance regarding an unpaid debt of £133. I had contacted Co-Operative Bank numerous times about the account. I was told the account was closed with a nil balance. I therefore ignored the letter/s from LINK. Upon my return to the UK this year I contacted LINK as they were still pursuing me for the charge of £133. They advised that the charge was from Co-Op for an account that was overdrawn and they had now assumed control of the debt. I therefore contacted Co-Op again to try to get to the bottom of this issue. When I contacted Co-Op they assured me that the account had been closed with a nil balance and that I should not have LINK finance chasing me for a debt that originated from them. I contacted Co-Op on 3 separate occasions and spoke to 3 different customer service reps and each time, each one confirmed that same that the account was closed and had been closed with a nil balance.

I then contact LINK again to explain this and they asked me to send in the details from the Co-Op that the account was closed with a nil balance. Which I did. I also asked LINK the clear the credit default on my credit file. I have since received a letter from LINK and the summary is as follows:

INVESTIGATIVE NOTES
As part of the dispute, you stated that you had previously settled this balance, and provided a copy of a receipt.

I (LINK) can confirm that we have reviewed the information and made a commercial decision to no longer pursue you for the remaining balance, due to the length of time it has taken us to issue a Final Response to your dispute.
As the account was defaulted by the Co-Operative Bank Plc on 02 August 2016, prior to assignment, we are obligated to continue reporting the default until August 2021.

As such, we will cease any further contact going forward and you are no longer liable for any balance.

OVERALL RESPONSE
Based on the above, I wish to clarify that your dispute has been upheld, and as such, I believe a reasonable explanation has now been provided and your dispute has now been closed.

Since I never owed the money and had the default, I would like this default removed from my credit report. Therefore who is this dispute now with? Who are the people that are able and responsible for removing it from my credit report – Co-Operative Bank or LINK Financial?

Many thanks

welly_59

Check your credit files. If it's LINKS name on the default then they are reeponsible

[Deleted User]

You need to do as Link have suggested.

Have you done that yet?

rapper57

!!! wrote: »

You need to do as Link have suggested.

Have you done that yet?

I am not sure what Link has suggested. Please excuse any misunderstanding and would you point out the obvious? Thanks

Willing2Learn

Hi,

If it were me, I would contact Co-op in writing and make a formal complaint. You want Co-Op Bank to notify Link of their error and to confirm, in writing to you, that the account xxxxxxxx sort code 12-23-34 was not in default as it had been closed with nil balance.

Once you have the written evidence from Co-Op confirming the no default status of the debt, then Link should comply. If they do not, then you could make a second written complaint to Link

You will then have paper trails and can escalate to the FOS (and/or ICO where applicable), if the Co-Op (or Link) fail to comply.

Edit: And to answer your question - Link currently appear to own/manage the defaulted debt account

[Deleted User]

The original debtor (Co-Op) need to be contacted and they need to instruct LINK to stop any further chasing and to remove the default