Experian

msmicawber

Thanks, Jimbo, but the defaults were in 1998 and remained on my Experian record until I paid them off in 2006, then got marked 'settled'. Is that unusual? Can I ask Experian to remove them?

Donedoingdebt

The defaults must be removed after 6 years, ie 2004 in your case. If they haven't been removed then there's been a mess up somewhere. Contact Experian & they will remove them unless there's some very good reason why they can't.

HappyGoLucky_2

Everyone is talking at cross-purposes here. There are actually 2 situations which give different answers.

(A) A default is recorded - no further payments paid
The entire record is removed 6 years after the default

(B) A default is recorded - further payments made within 6 years of default.
Default date and amount are removed 6 years after default date BUT the rest of the record is retained until 6 years AFTERthe last payment.

fermi

HappyGoLucky wrote: »

(B) A default is recorded - further payments made within 6 years of default.
Default date and amount are removed 6 years after default date BUT the rest of the record is retained until 6 years AFTERthe last payment.

No. That is incorrect. The default and account information should be removed 6 years from the default date regardless of any further payment information.

I've had that confirmed directly by Experian, and the Information Commissioner's Office.

Equifax even state the position on their website.

Link.

Data Type: Credit Agreements
Expiry Date: 6 years from the date the account was settled, written off or defaulted, whichever occurred first

The factsheets and FAQ's on the Experian website are not worded very well, and it is possible to misunderstand the position from them.

Donedoingdebt

HappyGoLucky wrote: »

(B) A default is recorded - further payments made within 6 years of default.
Default date and amount are removed 6 years after default date BUT the rest of the record is retained until 6 years AFTERthe last payment.

Agreeing with fermi again! All default & account details are removed after 6 years from date of default & cannot be re-registered on your file. This has been confirmed to me by both Experian & Equifax & as stated previously, this has happened in the last couple of years with my files. They are now squeaky clean even though my defaulted (in 2000) debts to Lloyds & several DCAs will not be paid until December 2008.