Sums in arrears vs default

udontknowme

I foolishly forgot to pay my credit card payment in January of this year. As soon as I got the notice, I paid the minimum amount for the month and set up a direct debit. This was purely an oversight, but I didn't realise I was still £8 in arrears.

This morning I received a notice of sums in arrears. I have immediately logged onto my credit card account and paid £50, in addition to the monthly payment they will take later this month.

Will this result in a default appearing on my credit file, or is a notice of sums in arrears just a pre-cursor to this? Now that I am no longer in arrears, in other words, will this still result in a default?

I have an excellent credit score and could kick myself for having a default on my file for six years over the sake of an £8 payment!

If it matters, I am located in Scotland.

[Deleted User]

It will appear as a late payment (unless you get lucky).

A default is something very different and far more serious.

Willing2Learn

You could 'phone up the card provider, explaining that you made a genuine mistake, and that it was a one-off error. You could then go on to ask them not to mark the late payment on your credit file. Be ultra polite and respectful. You may get a good result!

spadoosh

No default.

Itll show as late payment marker. Unlikely to have much of an effect on your credit report or your ability to borrow.