02 - Lowell - Defaulted account on TransUnion?

creeping_future

Good morning
Two days ago I registered to Money Supermarket Credit Monitor to see my TransUnion Credit file. I found out a defaulted account. It says "Telecomms Lowell £28. Account opened Jan 2015 Account defaulted jan2016". 

However, on my profile it says that I have no defaults. I also checked clear score and mse credit club and can't find any trace of it.

I recalled this to be an O2 bill for an account I set up in my name for my now ex gf. Admittedly, I didn't pay it, for various circumstances that don't matter at the moment. 
I clearly remember speaking to the guy on O2 chat saying they would have close the balance and not to worry about the balance, as I was transitioning from contract to PAYG (which I never used).

So that's my doubt, why this is only on credit Monitor? And why it says "account defaulted" but also that I don't have any defaults? Also, what should I do? I would be more than happy to pay what owed to O2, but I'm sure they will tell me to call Lowell, which I have no intention of doing at all, as I've understood they're worse than sharks.

Thanks

[Deleted User]

Sites like Credit Monitor are a poor way to check your files.  

It;s not clear whether if appears on your TransUnion account or not?  Have you checked Credit Karma directly?  Lenders report to different CRAs, hence the potential differences.

If Lowell own the debt, you need to contact them. They will just want a maximum of the amount you owe, but could likely be settled for less.  Unlike a shark, where if you offer them a foot, they'll still take your whole leg.

However, if they are just collecting on the debt, you may be able to still deal with O2.

creeping_future

Thank you zx81, I checked CKarma also, and there is a big red mark relating to this old debt. So, sorry again for asking, are Lowell not going to ask for more than what I owe? 

creeping_future

I tried to recover my O2 account but apparently it's closed. What should I do? Call O2 finance department or call Lowell straight away? Will they ask me to pay more? Also, if I pay now would they still be able to put a CCJ on my credit file? I have never received any email or contact from Lowell at all.
I'm sorry for bothering you guys, but this is driving me nuts, I didn't sleep at all last night.

[Deleted User]

creeping_future said:

Thank you zx81, I checked CKarma also, and there is a big red mark relating to this old debt. So, sorry again for asking, are Lowell not going to ask for more than what I owe? 

No.  The amount you owe is the amount you owe - capital, interest, any charges.

There's no need to tip them, unless you're feeling generous.

creeping_future

creeping_future said:

I tried to recover my O2 account but apparently it's closed. What should I do? Call O2 finance department or call Lowell straight away? Will they ask me to pay more? Also, if I pay now would they still be able to put a CCJ on my credit file? I have never received any email or contact from Lowell at all.
I'm sorry for bothering you guys, but this is driving me nuts, I didn't sleep at all last night.

Thank you zx81, would they be able to put a CCJ on my file even if I pay? And shall I call O2 or Lowell?

[Deleted User]

They're far less likely to pursue a CCJ if you're paying.  And certainly once paid, they couldn't even entertain the idea a CCJ as there's nothing to have a judgement about.

sourcrates

OK, lets get real for a moment, its a tiny £28 you owe, not a fortune, forget court, are Lowell writing to you ?
They will not expend much energy on a 28 quid debt.
I really would not lose sleep over it.

creeping_future

No, I did not receive anything from Lowell, no letters, no emails, no calls, anything.
I know I'm overreacting, but I always believed I had no debts, I remember the guy on O2 chat clearly said "not to worry about it". All I want is to stop that red mark going forward on my TU file.
Anyway, moving forward, shall I call Lowell or O2? Also, will they ask me to give them my debit card details on the phone?

sourcrates

I can`t see your problem really, paying the debt will not remove the default, nothing will, nothing except time.

Really being told "not to worry about it" was asking for trouble in my experience, Lowell now own this massive debt of yours, if there not bothering you, I would not bother them, they probably deem it to be not worth their time trying to recover it, in two years time the default will be gone, and you can carry on as normal.

I`m not trying to make light of this, but i`d just forget about it and get on with your life if i were you.

Woodie106

We've just found a very similar thing on my wifes credit file. Looked at it a few days ago and there is now a default marker on her file in the telecoms section from Lowell. We have no idea what this relates to as she has always kept up to date with any payments. We've had no communication from Lowell- no letters, no emails, no calls. Can we get this removed  from her credit file?