Date of default - Could I have it changed?

KeysMcK

Hi all,

In May 2016 I hit a rough point and ended up with a Sunny Loan debt of 1500 that I couldn’t pay. I missed my payment and then went on to not make any more payments on it. I adopted a ‘burying my head in the sand’ approach and really kept this up for years. 

By August of 2006 my account had been sold to SLL capital, owing 1550. Apparently, as I’d topped up loans with Sunny, it’s 3 separate accounts that are all with SLL. I continued to ignore these emails and made no real attempt to engage with them or communicate at all until about 6 months ago when I started making small arranged payments towards my debt. 

Sunny never showed up on any credit file and still doesn’t, so so far I don’t have a default from them on my credit file, however eventually SSL did list three defaults on my credit from Sept 2018 onwards. (but only on my transunion, credit karma file. Doesn’t show on Equifax or Experian)

My question is, is it normal for a debt collector to wait over 2 years before listing my account as defaulted, and would I be able to have this changed to show I in fact defaulted in 2016? Every little helps, and the sooner it’s off my file the better. The prospect of not being able to get a mortgage until 2024 makes my stomach sink. 

Input appreciated!


P.s. I did put in a complaint that it was an unaffordable loan, they denied my claim and I didn’t take it to the FOS as I didn’t know much about the topic at the time. I really regret this now but there’s no way I could have the debt put aside now. 

sourcrates

Creditors work within guidelines, different creditors interpret them in different ways.
As always, you can make a formal written complaint asking for the default date to be backdated.
Escalate to the ICO if not happy with response.

onthemend88

Yes it is possible to get the default date changed. I did with a couple of mine last year. 

Usually a default should be registered after you have missed between 3-6 months payments. Each lender is different but this is generally the rule of thumb. 

You will need to raise a complaint on each of the defaults explaining why you think the default dates are wrong. 

DCFC79

Its not a definite No for a mortgage, its possible but speak to a broker, each lender will view the default differently.

KeysMcK

Thanks all, do I make this complaint to the debt collector or the credit referencing agency? Does anyone have a template? 

I’m not actually looking for credit at the mo so it’s not going to be a huge factor, but if I CAN get it changed I want to get it done ASAP. 

Having 2 years left on a default sounds a lot nicer than 4!

Thanks in advance!

D3xt3r5L4b

Contact the lender not the CRA. 

onthemend88

You will need to contact the lender directly.

Work out when you were running 3-6 months behind with your payments and ask for the defaults to be backdated to this date.

A google search on letter templates will be able to help you. I am not sure if I am allowed to post a link to the templates I used.  

sadie72

I have a very tricky question!
I took out a mortgage in 2004.
I defaulted in 2006 then caught up with payments. 
I defaulted again in 2016 then caught up again. 

I’ll have paid my mortgage off next April. 

Question- when will all this info disappear from my credit file??

DCFC79

sadie72 said:

I have a very tricky question!
I took out a mortgage in 2004.
I defaulted in 2006 then caught up with payments. 
I defaulted again in 2016 then caught up again. 

I’ll have paid my mortgage off next April. 

Question- when will all this info disappear from my credit file??

Should really start your own thread.

The 2006 default should be off your file
The 2016 default should drop off in 2 years time
But all that depends if the defaults have the default year you mention. 
Im sure you knew this as back in march you mentioned defaults drop off after 6 years.
Is this related to an earloer thread of yours ?

sadie72

Yes I knew about the six year rule with regards to credit cards.
I was hoping that if I paid off the mortgage then, as I’d first taken it out in 2004, the whole thing might disappear. 
I think my thread from before related to utilities. It was much the same question. But I’m guessing now that the six year rule applies to everything. 

KeysMcK

That’s really useful, thank you! Just last but if guidance, am I contacting the original lender (sunny) who never actually put a default on my credit file, but who were the original creditors, or SLL the Debt Collectors who bought my debt and did list a default against me, and who I’m actively now paying back? 

Thanks for the guidance, I’ve found a decent template to use. Fingers crossed I get some traction!