How to rid unfair default on my credit record?

[danllama]

Hi all, feeling a bit anxious about this so need help if anybody can offer it...

Basically, I had a dispute with vodafone back in 2015 over a bill for data which I felt had been charged excessively, I also coincidentally closed my vodafone account and went with 3 mobile for a sim only deal. I then moved home several times over the course of time, but finally got around to updating my permanent address in all the important places (electoral roll etc) about two months ago. I also got on to Experian to check my credit score, as the girlfriend and I decided we'd like to buy a home together some time in the next 8-12 months. My experian score was good.

Last month, I received correspondance from a company called Lowells, regarding the unpaid vodafone debt. Truth be told, through the ups and downs of life, I had completely forgotten about it. Despite the fact I disputed owing the debt in the first place, I decided I would just set up a payment plan to rid myself of the hassle. However, Lowells have then reported that Vodafone defaulted the account in July of 2017. This has resulted in my credit record taking a serious dive. From 920 down to 480.

I have emailed Lowells, and asked them if they can remove the default from my record as I wasn't aware that the debt was being pursued. I sent them a screenshot to prove my credit score just before they reported the default and to show I keep on top of my payments and debts. I'm now waiting for them to reply. I have a feeling they're not going to be particularly helpful with this. In fact, i'm not even sure if I need to be asking Lowells or Vodafone to remove it from record. Either way I feel its very unfair that this should affect my record for the next 6 years, given that I had no idea I was being asked for payment at any time until last month, when I duly set up a payment plan.

Please tell me there's a way to fix this? It could seriously affect me and my girlfriend, at a time in my life when I finally felt like things were going well.

[danllama]

I don't feel I was given a fair opportunity to

a) dispute the charge in the first place

b) to pay the debt

Vodafone had my mobile number as I kept it once the contract ended, why wasn't I contacted that way if mail was not being responded to?

I accept partial responsibility for moving and forgetting about it, but I don't think the blemish on my credit record is fair.

If settling the debt is my only option I will do it, but I want to explore other options first, to save any chance I have of getting a mortgage, which i'm guessing will be unlikely verging on impossible with this default account on my record...? Can anyone shed any light on that? And how long would it take to build my score to a respectable level again, if I do everything right?

[danllama]

davek_964 said:

danllama said:

I accept partial responsibility for moving and forgetting about it, but I don't think the blemish on my credit record is fair.

You "forgot" to pay a debt which you knew you owed (or at least was in dispute) and have failed to pay it - or respond to correspondence about it - for several years.

If you don't think this is a fair reason to reduce somebody's credit score, what is?

It was unintentional.

Anyway, thanks everybody for the replies. Have gone back and forth with Lowells and to be fair they've been as nice as pie and helpful as possible, but the basic fact is Vodafone recorded the default, Lowells only reported it. However, I am going to complain to Vodafone that I never received notice of their intention to default the account, and also that the date of the default is incorrect, as I believe it should be recorded earlier than 1 year after last contact. If they won't remove it, I will at least make sure it is dated correctly, and they will never have me as a customer again (bear in mind I spent £3k with them whilst I was a customer). I am not holding much hope dealing with a mammoth like Vodafone, so will likely take it to the ombudsman on the grounds that they didn't make enough effort to contact me or notify me on the default, which they are legally obliged to do.

[danllama]

vsonix said:

Unfortunately this kind of thing happens a lot. My mum closed down a credit card which somehow got re-opened again when a random £15 fee of some kind was applied to it. She contacted the bank who agreed that it shouldn't have happened and that they'd take care of it. Fast forward five years and mum is trying to apply for credit of some kind to be told that it was impossible because of a default. The £15 fee had somehow picked up five years worth of interest and non-payment fees and eventually got passed off to debt collectors. The bank claimed they had no record of her ever closing the account (although they did agree that the balance had been reduced to zero on the date when mum said she'd closed it. So they basically washed their hands of any involvement in the whole thing and left mum to suffer. As a result she was unable to get a BTL mortgage on a second property and now her record is back to perfect, is still unable to because of her age.

That is really awful. She should look into hiring a solicitor I think.

I did fail to update my address, but people make mistakes, and I don't think its beyond belief that a telecommunications company could contact me by telephone...

I am definitely going to complain to Vodafone that I never received a notice of intention to default the account. My understanding is they are legally obliged to supply this, and also to provide a copy of that notice if requested. My main concern now is that the default should be moved to a much earlier date, as it seems to have been recorded a year after my last contact with them.

[danllama]

limpsfield said:

This is a painful read.

You should have dealt with it. With your various moves were you hoping that they would not be able to find you and give up? And Lo, they haven’t.

And now you may need a mortgage so suddenly it could be an issue.


I would suggest you contact Vodafone direct, forget all the “do you know who I am and how much I have spent with you, and I am taking my custom elsewhere 4 evah” rubbish and explain how you mistakenly ran up the debt and can you come to an agreement. If they are looking to just get the thing resolved then there could well be some sensible middle ground.

Absolutely not, I was hoping to negotiate with them as I felt the charges were unfair. My moving around over the next few years was nothing to do with a silly mobile bill but changes in personal circumstances.

I will contact Vodafone though and see what, if anything, they can do.

Thanks all.

[danllama]

I accept that is probably how it looks to anybody outside the situation, my current girlfriend included. Thanks for weighing in.