Hi, new member needing default advice

[kboy1983]

Hi Guys,

I have just joined & really needing some advice on defaults.

Just registered on Experian & can see Vodafone have registered a default against me in 2012.

I know absolutely nothing about this, so gave Vodafone a call & they said I missed a payment in April 2008. I can't find anything online about this, but are they allowed to apply a default to my credit file 4 years & 4 months after the actual missed payment?

Are there any rules/laws that companies must follow when it comes to when & what they can report on a customers credit file? Like I said, I haven't found anything online.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

Kris

[Nibbler]

Re: Hi, new member needing default advice

A default recorded 4 years after the fact would be grossly inaccurate, and so a breach of the Data protection Act 1998 and its principles, plus against ICO guidelines on defaults.

- Is this definitely a default? i.e. list on the credit reference file as a default with default date = dd/mm/2012. Or is it just a late payment marker of x months late, but not an actual default and D or 8?
- How many months of late payments do they claim? And did you bring it back up to date and carry on with the contract?

Would still be inaccurate if not a default, but want to make sure what we are dealing with here.

[kboy1983]

Re: Hi, new member needing default advice

Hi,

Thanks for such a fast response!

Yes this is 100% a default.

It was the final payment of the contract which I honestly knew nothing about.

This is the first time I have checked my credit file so shocked to see. They reported the account as up to date right up to April 2012, then May, June & July were reported as 1,2 & 3. August 2012 was then marked as D & has continued to do so up until now.

It was my mistake re the payment so I have settled the £45 today, but they did confirm that the default was due to the missed final payment in April 2008.

They say it is a valid default & can't be removed, but 4 years after the missed payment is ridiculous.

What steps should I be taking to sort this out?

[FlamingParrot]

Re: Hi, new member needing default advice

Just registered on Experian & can see Vodafone have registered a default against me in 2012.

I know absolutely nothing about this, so gave Vodafone a call & they said I missed a payment in April 2008.

If you stopped making contractual payments in April 2008, a default should have been recorded 3 to 6 months later, i.e. still some time in 2008 and it should have dropped off your file in 2014!

I can't find anything online about this, but are they allowed to apply a default to my credit file 4 years & 4 months after the actual missed payment?

In a word, NO! :nono:

Are there any rules/laws that companies must follow when it comes to when & what they can report on a customers credit file? Like I said, I haven't found anything online.
Kris

There certainly are: Principles for the Reporting of Arrears, Arrangements and Defaults at Credit Reference Agencies

Arrears are reported as missed payments through status codes such as 1, 2 etc which are based on the number of months missed. Generally by the time the account is 3 months in arrears, the lender may be taking further action such as reporting the account as defaulted (see Principle 4 below). Missed payments may continue to rise and be reported up to a maximum of 6. On some products this may continue to show as 6 until the lender takes action and reports the account as being in default.

Where there is a problem with the content of a CRA record, you should contact the organisation concerned to give it an opportunity to put things right. If that fails, you can contact the ICO helpline on 0303 123 1113. Please note though that we can only deal with issues to do with the accuracy etc. of your record, not with lending decisions based on it.

[nemesis45]

Re: Hi, new member needing default advice

Statute Barred anyway.
Contact VF by letter and demand that the late placed default entry is removed from ALL credit reference agencies files.
(It will be on Equifax/ Call Credit/ Noddle as well)

nem

[Vodafone Company Rep]

Re: Hi, new member needing default advice

Hi Kris,

Thanks for making me aware of this.

So I can take a closer look at things, email me with your details via the Contact us form here and quote the code WRT135 - FAO Lee in the subject line.

Once sent, you'll receive an automated reply with a reference number. Post back with this and I’ll check I've received it.

Kind regards,

Lee

Social Media Comms

Vodafone UK

[kboy1983]

Re: Hi, new member needing default advice

Hi Kris,

Thanks for making me aware of this.

So I can take a closer look at things, email me with your details via the Contact us form here and quote the code WRT135 - FAO Lee in the subject line.

Once sent, you'll receive an automated reply with a reference number. Post back with this and I’ll check I've received it.

Kind regards,

Lee

Social Media Comms

Vodafone UK

Hi Lee

I have sent the email & the ref is 9596084

thanks

Kris

[Vodafone Company Rep]

Re: Hi, new member needing default advice

Hi Kris,

I've got your email and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Kind regards,

Lee

Social Media Comms

Vodafone UK

[Nibbler]

Re: Hi, new member needing default advice

kboy1983 If vodafone refuse to amend this please be sure to let is know. They are doing that too much lately and need to be taken to task on it.

[kboy1983]

Re: Hi, new member needing default advice

Hi Lee,

Thanks, please ensure all amended information is updated on all the CRA's.

Nibbler

I'll let you know how this goes, one things for sure, I'm not letting this one go!!!

[Vodafone Company Rep]

Re: Hi, new member needing default advice

Hi Kris,

I've your last email and I'll get back to you later today.

Kind regards,

Lee

Social Media Comms

Vodafone UK