Ex-partner used a card of mine ran up bill and arrears advice please

Graham1982

Hello everyone:

As stated in the title, ex partner ran up (a relatively small) bill of 100gbp on an Argos card that I hadn't used for ages. She was not authorized to do so. There were three late payments/defaults. I have paid the bill and closed the account. All of my other accounts are in good standing.

How much and for how long will this have an impact on my credit file?

Thank you 

Graham

[Deleted User]

The late payments will show for 6 years if reported to the CRAs, as will a default if you actually got one - though that seems unlikely given the time frame.

Lenders will factor it into their decision making. The impact varies by lender but lessens with time.

Graham1982

Hi Zx81:

Thank you, clutching at straws here but seemingly a potential new lender will see that I settled the account voluntarily and that it was an anomaly  in an otherwise good record?

Thank you

Graham

[Deleted User]

They'll see that the account was settled, which is far better than not. The better the rest of your history is, the less it will jmpact you, but lending criteria have tightened and you might find things more difficult than normal for a while.

It would have been better to keep the account open (if you haven't actually closed it yet).

Graham1982

Hmm,  I have but I have just got off the phone with them so I could re contact them- is there a reason why?

Graham1982

Account now re-opened (or not closed)

[Deleted User]

Account closures are generally actioned by lenders rather the customer, so it can add to a picture of you not making payments and then as soon as the lender gets you to pay up, they whisk the card away from you because they don't trust you anymore. In general terms, keep any lines of credit open.

But again, time will heal it.

phillw

Graham1982 said:

As stated in the title, ex partner ran up (a relatively small) bill of 100gbp on an Argos card that I hadn't used for ages. She was not authorized to do so. There were three late payments/defaults. I have paid the bill and closed the account. All of my other accounts are in good standing.

Is there a reason you didn't report them to the police?

Sandtree

How did they spend the money?

Was she a secondary cardholder and she's used that card? In which case she was authorized to do so. Did they used your card details that were stored in an account or browser?

crumpet_man

More likely to be contactless over multiple transactions over time.

Mickey666

phillw said:

Graham1982 said:

As stated in the title, ex partner ran up (a relatively small) bill of 100gbp on an Argos card that I hadn't used for ages. She was not authorized to do so. There were three late payments/defaults. I have paid the bill and closed the account. All of my other accounts are in good standing.

Is there a reason you didn't report them to the police?

Beat me to the same question.
On the face of it, this is a clear case of fraudulent use . . . unless there are circumstances not disclosed by the OP.