Missing debts on credit file

MoneySaver_1978

I have several outstanding debts that have not been paid for nearly six years. Only one is showing on my credit file -  I have used checkmyfile so have been able to see the information across the three main agencies. Can anyone explain why this might be please?

cymruchris

Usually accounts that are defaulted/closed/settled would disappear from your files after 6 years from being marked as so.

The debt still exists - just because it's not on the credit file doesn't mean they can't try and chase you for it, but depending on specifics it may not be enforcable, particularly if they wanted to obtain a county court judgment against you.

You'd probably need to provide a bit more information to get a more accurate response - like whether the accounts were previously there, and what their status was at that time, and what kind of debts they were.

The one remaining one - does that show as default or settled? Or is it still reporting as an active account?

sammyjammy

If the debts were defaulted longer than six years ago they would be removed forever from your credit reference files.  E.g you defaulted the debt officially 12/12/20 it would disappear from credit file in December 2026 no matter what the status of the debt

MoneySaver_1978

So cymruchris said:

The one remaining one - does that show as default or settled? Or is it still reporting as an active account?

It shows as defaulted. However, the default date is different depending on the agency. Last payment was May 2017 but earliest default date was September.

The debts were loans/credit cards. Also checked my husband's file and he's also missing a couple including one we both had in joint names. One shows as settled and the other defaulted on his file.

MoneySaver_1978

sammyjammy said:

If the debts were defaulted longer than six years ago they would be removed forever from your credit reference files.  E.g you defaulted the debt officially 12/12/20 it would disappear from credit file in December 2026 no matter what the status of the debt

Is this linked to debts that are statute barred? I am finding conflicting information about the statute barred period. The debts I refer to would last have been paid around May very latest end of June 2017 (and no contact whatsoever in the period) but the debt that remains on my credit file shows a default date much later in the year.

cymruchris

MoneySaver_1978 said:

So cymruchris said:

The one remaining one - does that show as default or settled? Or is it still reporting as an active account?

It shows as defaulted. However, the default date is different depending on the agency. Last payment was May 2017 but earliest default date was September.

The debts were loans/credit cards. Also checked my husband's file and he's also missing a couple including one we both had in joint names.

So defaulted in Sep 2017 means it'll disappear automatically in Sep 2023 (you might not see it disappear until a little later if you're accessing free CRA reports like credit karma etc.). Defaults would usually be applied 3-6 months after your last payment - so bearing mind yours was May, that sounds about right.

It sounds like they are unsecured lines of credit - did any of them take out CCJ's against you back in the day when you were initially unable to keep up with/make repayments?

cymruchris

MoneySaver_1978 said:

sammyjammy said:

If the debts were defaulted longer than six years ago they would be removed forever from your credit reference files.  E.g you defaulted the debt officially 12/12/20 it would disappear from credit file in December 2026 no matter what the status of the debt

Is this linked to debts that are statute barred? I am finding conflicting information about the statute barred period. The debts I refer to would last have been paid around May very latest end of June 2017 (and no contact whatsoever in the period) but the debt that remains on my credit file shows a default date much later in the year.

If you're in England or Wales - the statute barred period is 6 years (I believe Scotland is different in that it's 5 years). If there's been no action to make a claim via a CCJ within 6 years of default - they can still write you letters to ask for payment - but they can no longer take you to court to get a county court judgment against you. The debt will exist forever until they decide to stop pursuing it. It just won't be on your credit history anymore. (And if in the future you want to apply for 'new' credit - then it's best to avoid those institutions you had previous debt with, as although it's gone from your credit files - they'll no doubt still have internal records of your history from back in the day for a long time to come - it's easier to apply through providers you didn't have previous dealings with so that they see nothing but a blank slate).

MoneySaver_1978

cymruchris said:

MoneySaver_1978 said:

So cymruchris said:

The one remaining one - does that show as default or settled? Or is it still reporting as an active account?

It shows as defaulted. However, the default date is different depending on the agency. Last payment was May 2017 but earliest default date was September.

The debts were loans/credit cards. Also checked my husband's file and he's also missing a couple including one we both had in joint names.

So defaulted in Sep 2017 means it'll disappear automatically in Sep 2023 (you might not see it disappear until a little later if you're accessing free CRA reports like credit karma etc.). Defaults would usually be applied 3-6 months after your last payment - so bearing mind yours was May, that sounds about right.

It sounds like they are unsecured lines of credit - did any of them take out CCJ's against you back in the day when you were initially unable to keep up with/make repayments?

Just one CCJ which we didn't know about (we were living overseas). It wasn't a huge amount and we have nearly paid that back over last few months. However, there is no reference to the original company/debt on the credit file just the CCJ showing active and unsettled (it was passed onto a debt collection agency - Wescott). 

I am trying to work out where we are - currently getting chased by a few companies. It's a total minefield!

MoneySaver_1978

cymruchris said:

MoneySaver_1978 said:

sammyjammy said:

If the debts were defaulted longer than six years ago they would be removed forever from your credit reference files.  E.g you defaulted the debt officially 12/12/20 it would disappear from credit file in December 2026 no matter what the status of the debt

Is this linked to debts that are statute barred? I am finding conflicting information about the statute barred period. The debts I refer to would last have been paid around May very latest end of June 2017 (and no contact whatsoever in the period) but the debt that remains on my credit file shows a default date much later in the year.

If you're in England or Wales - the statute barred period is 6 years (I believe Scotland is different in that it's 5 years). If there's been no action to make a claim via a CCJ within 6 years of default - they can still write you letters to ask for payment - but they can no longer take you to court to get a county court judgment against you. The debt will exist forever until they decide to stop pursuing it. It just won't be on your credit history anymore. (And if in the future you want to apply for 'new' credit - then it's best to avoid those institutions you had previous debt with, as although it's gone from your credit files - they'll no doubt still have internal records of your history from back in the day for a long time to come - it's easier to apply through providers you didn't have previous dealings with so that they see nothing but a blank slate).

Does the statute barred clock start at last payment or date they officially defaulted the debt. Hoping it's the former!

cymruchris

Edited slightly - My understanding is that  statute barred takes effect 6 years from date of when you last made a payment or last communicated with them in reference the debt. Have you been acknowledging the debts in recent months?

MoneySaver_1978

cymruchris said:

Edited slightly - My understanding is that  statute barred takes effect 6 years from date of when you last made a payment or last communicated with them in reference the debt. Have you been acknowledging the debts in recent months?

Nope, we have received several letters in recent months, but just ignored them - with the exception of the one we knew was connected to the CCJ.