Thoughts on this response from a mobile phone provider regarding defaults?

tommyedinburgh

I have been helping out  a colleague looking to make their first property purchase with regards an issue she had with her credit file.
We contacted a mobile phone provider regarding 2 x defaults entered with Experian. 
She received this reply today:

On account xxx there was an outstanding balance of £206.26 and on the linked loan account xxx a balance of £300. As the debt remained unpaid, the account was then sold to a debt collection agency [Lowell].

When the account is sold, O2 stop loading account information to your credit file. As such I’ve asked for any information from O2 to be removed from your credit file.

The account is now owned by Lowell who are responsible for any loadings and amendments, so you would need to speak with them to discuss more. 

Does this sound like both entries are being completely removed from her file? Or rather changing from O2 to Lowell?

Thanks in advance.

[Deleted User]

It means the O2 ones are removed so that only the Lowell default remains.

Willing2Learn

O2 have sold the account to Lowell.  Lowell should use the same default date as the original O2 account.  It is also up to Lowell to continue to update the credit file(s).

What is the date of default? (as the account should be automatically removed from the credit file(s), six years from the date of default)

tommyedinburgh

Deleted_User said:

It means the O2 ones are removed so that only the Lowell default remains.

There are no Lowell defaults on her files, only the 2 x O2?
If there were, they would be for the same default and that isn't allowed.

tommyedinburgh

Willing2Learn said:

O2 have sold the account to Lowell.  Lowell should use the same default date as the original O2 account.  It is also up to Lowell to continue to update the credit file(s).

What is the date of default? (as the account should be automatically removed from the credit file(s), six years from the date of default)

August 2014.

[Deleted User]

Then it's up to Lowell if they wish to register a default.  The correspondence you've quoted says that all O2 data will be removed.

tommyedinburgh

Deleted_User said:

Then it's up to Lowell if they wish to register a default.  The correspondence you've quoted says that all O2 data will be removed.

So unless Lowell decide to add something for the first time then her Experian file will be clear of any defaults? Hope I am not being dim here, I just want to be clear in my mind.

tommyedinburgh

Thanks to all who replied. Her Experian account is now showing no defaults. 
Whilst I'm sure many will highlight that the credit score is irrelevant, it has went from 667 to 990. Irrelevant but interesting. 

D_M_E

If she is in Scotland - as your username implies - then it's 5 years later when defaults etc drop off credit files, not 6 years as it is South of the border.

Therefore yes, they should be gone as from August last year and would now be extinguished under Scottish law and therefore cannot be chased.