Subject Access Request to Halifax?

caroline1973lefty

Is it worth doing a Subject Access Request to Halifax - I’m looking for info on an account (1k overdraft) that is showing as a 3 year default on my credit report.
I haven’t acknowledged this debt - there any risk that sending an SAR could count as doing so? I would just ask for all the information the company has on me.

For background - I believe  this default was placed several years after the account became inactive and I guess interest took it over the limit in the end, but this is all guesswork on my part.  

I know the bank had my address in the months running up to the default being placed on my report as going into default (though they didn’t for a while). 

But I didn’t receive any warning or notification about an impending default. Just suddenly a letter from debt collectors.
I am trying to get back on track with my finances after a very difficult period and I am wondering if an SAR will help me understand the process they’ve followed and perhaps negotiate the removal of a default though I know this is tricky.

[Deleted User]

A SAR won't count as an acknowledgement.  It's a request for data.

However, don't get hung up on whether you received the default notice or not. The default will still remain as a reflection of the account defaulting.

Consider instead how you want to handle it - bluff it out and lay low, hoping they won't apply for a CCJ?  Or settle it now and get your finances on a firm footing going forward?  

caroline1973lefty

Deleted_User said:

A SAR won't count as an acknowledgement.  It's a request for data.

However, don't get hung up on whether you received the default notice or not. The default will still remain as a reflection of the account defaulting.

Consider instead how you want to handle it - bluff it out and lay low, hoping they won't apply for a CCJ?  Or settle it now and get your finances on a firm footing going forward?  

Thanks! I might be able & willing to settle. But I’m really annoyed about the default, I know I shouldn’t have pushed this overdraft to the back of my mind but aren’t they supposed to notify you before issuing a default? It’s actually the only blemish on my credit record and it’s going to make getting a mortgage difficult for the next three years (something i’d like to do before I’m too ancient) even though the account was basically not used after 2011.

[Deleted User]

In that case, you should definitely settle it. 

A default isn't the end of the world, but if a lender sees that you're still avoiding paying it while asking them for a mortgage, they're unlikely to think you're a good bet.

If you believe the default date should be earlier, you could ask them to backdate it, which would also help.