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Experian, Equifax and Halifax (major rant)

I'm wondering what to do about this situation - appreciate it might not be the right.

This case is an example of why it probably makes sense to check your credit file with more than one provider.

Back in 1998, I was a student and had an Halifax turned me down for a proper switch card with a cheque garuntee. I was pretty annoyed about this so I upped and left and *thought* I had closed the account. I had returned my card and cheque book to the bank and hadn't heard from them again in terms of statements etc.

Moving on 5 years, it turned out it hadn't been closed and that muggins here had forgotten about a direct debit for a subscription to a magazine. Following the merger with the Bank of Scotland they had tracked me down to my parental address and started furnishing me with statements again.

Anyway, suffice to say I didn't deal with it there and then as my parents don't open my mail. Eventually a telegram arrives. It turned out that the Halifax had withdrawn my £100 overdraft and then sent a letter requesting repayment. I paid them the money off.

Anyway... small amounts of money (50 quid). Nothing major I thought. Checked things out on Equifax a couple of months later and I see an entry for Halifax Current Accounts - Date Satisfied 30/03/2004. Sorted I thought.

Got declined for a CC in May this year and I thought to myself - thats weird. So I get my experian report and it's down as a default (twice!!) on Experian.

To sum up, does anyone why are the two agencies treating it differently?

Why do Experian have it down as a default on 30/03/2004 and say that it's partially settled (twice!) - when I paid it off in full. While equifax say that I've fully settled my account and that the date satisfied was the 30/03/2004.

Does anyone have any opinions on how badly this default will affect me (and the fact that its there twice, will getting one stuck off actually help my "rating").

Does anyone have any opinions of what I should do next? (I've written to Experian already).
Named after my cat, picture coming shortly

Comments

  • Wig
    Wig Posts: 14,139 Forumite
    I think you need to get Halifax to sort it, You can AIUI put a note on yourself, to say, something like "thought account was closed debts incurred after I had returned to Halifax, all cards and documents relating to this account"

    hth
  • clarkey_2
    clarkey_2 Posts: 36 Forumite
    Im going to give them a call tomorrow and I'll see what they say.
    Named after my cat, picture coming shortly
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