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Defaulted Vodafone account on my credit file

marekk
2: Seeker
2: Seeker

Hi,

 

I have recently applied for a mortgage and to my surprise the application was declined. Reason - credit check fail. The thing is that I have never missed a payment on anything and so my financial adviser told me to get my credit report from experian and find out what is causing the issue. What I discovered is that Vodafone recorded a default on my account that I believed has been closed in November 2012 (the default is for huge £14). The contract has run out at that time and so I contacted Vodafone and told them to close the account and that I'll be moving my number to O2 and so I did. As far as I was concerned my Vodafone account was settled. Vodafone never contacted my about the £14. If they did I would have paid it. Even if the payment was to be one month late it would not damage my credit profile. Is it even legal to default my account without some sort of communication to let me know? 

Straight after I got my credit report I called Vodafone and paid the £14 over the phone. (the account will soon show as settled but the default will stay) I asked them if I can get the default removed from my credit file and they couldn't tell me so they asked me to wait and that they will be in touch within 5 days. Yeah right... I called them again after 5 days and asked them to remove the default. I was told that it cannot be done because I did not pay my bill for 10 months. I was furious after the phone call. How can I pay for a bill that I dont know even existed?

 

I would really appriciate some help with this matter. I know that some people have been successful with getting the default removed.

 

 

459 REPLIES 459

kids
Community Champion (Retired)
Community Champion (Retired)

@guv280984 During the time that you had the phone did you use it? Any usuage during the cooling off period is chargeable.

 

If not and you feel that the charges are incorrect then

you will need to call the Credit File Support Team  either on 191 or from a landline on 03333 040 191. 

If you no longer have a Vodafone number ignore the prompts asking for your number and on the 3rd or 4th prompts you should be connected to a human being.

 

If there was a default or late payment then the entry on your credit file is accurate and will remain there for six years from the date is was entered although it will be marked as ‘settled’ once paid.

 

If the entry was an error by Vodafone then the Credit File Support Team  can ask the credit agency to remove it.

 

While you are sorting this out with Vodafone you can put a Notice of Correction of your credit file and this will be seen by anyone searching you credit history. In the Notice you can give your reasons as to why you are disputing the entry. Once you have submitted the notice your credit file will be updated usually within 28 days and the Notice will be shared with other credit agencies so all your credit records are updated.

 

  1. What is a Notice of Correction?

A Notice of Correction is a short explanatory note (up to 200 words) you can add to an entry on your credit report to explain the background to that information for example, the reason for a late payment. Anyone searching your credit report in the future will see the Notice and they must take account of it when you apply for credit. (This might slow down your application)

  1. How do I leave a Notice of Correction?

Simply send a letter to the Credit Reference Agency with the wording you would like to add to your file and your full name and address. Please remember to sign your letter.

Please remember that the Notice of Correction can't be more than 200 words long, defamatory, libellous, incorrect or frivolous. The note will remain on your Credit file until you ask for it to be removed.

 

It is only worth adding a Notice of Correction is the charge was and error by Vodafone.

Hiya,

 

the best thing that you can do is join to a credit agency (ie experian) and ask them to change this, they will contact vodafone and will give them 28 days to respond to your request. vodafone will have to look into this more than just ignoring you. if this fails contact the financial ombudsman.

 

hope this helps

Hello, 

 

@guv280984, I've sent you a private message with details on how our team can get this looked into for you.

 

@mhairi123, thank you for updating us. If you do need us to get this chased up, just post on this thread with your reference number. 

 

Thanks, 

 

Sarah

 

 

mhairi123
3: Seeker
3: Seeker
Hey Gareth,
It has been raised by the FSA as the worst offenders are Next and Vodaphone and this is stopping thousands of people getting on the property ladder. Also innocent people getting charged thousands unlawfully. It was also on breakfast news last week and some barron or other is raising it in Parliment too.

gareth4wave
4: Newbie
I didn't know any of this, thank you for the info :Smiling:

The credit reference system as it stands is a mess. It's not just companies reporting missed payments to the credit agencies - whihc they currently have a legal obligation to do - it's also the way other lenders react to them. Currently so many lenders won't give credit to anyone with any sort of mark on their credit files - there seems to be no dfference between a debt of £20 and a debt of £20,000.   If you add to this the mobile phone companies who have archaic and obscure cancellation procedures which they refuse to either publish or train their own staff in, then you have a perfect storm.  Oh, and the mobile companies are not obliged ( like most other lenders ) to warn debtors before they trash their credit, although why this diepensation exists no-one seems to know.

What it really needs is someone to bash heads together until all parties agree to inject some common sense into proceedings !

mhairi123
3: Seeker
3: Seeker
Hi Viki, I got a call and email today thank you. I will respond with the appropriate paperwork. Thanks again 😀

gareth4wave
4: Newbie
I'm sorry but I disagree you don't do nothing at all and just ignore any contact.

Phone call from Vodafone last night and Credit File updated today! I shouldnt have even had Vodafone on my credit report as I was a new customer and returned the handset within 7 days... Really helpful guy on the phone and my credit score went up by over 500 points as a bonus

dancanetti
3: Seeker
3: Seeker

In January 2015 I found a default on my credit report, I immediately paid the outstanding £28 of which I had no previous knowledge that I owed as I left Vodafone 2 years prior. I spoke to the advisor and when they looked into it agreeed that I had no letter or notice that there was an outstanding amount when I left. They agree to get the default removed from my credit account but nothing happend, I made a similar call in may and was told again it would be removed from my account but again nothing happend.