Defaulted Vodafone account on my credit file

[moudy31]

In 2011 i opened a vodafone account with my bank details for my sister. The account is in her name. I recently applied for a mortgage and have been rejected. I have looked at my credit score and i was shocked it shows a default vodafone which has now been settled. This is the only point that is stopping me getting an urgent mortgage. I have spoken to customer services to try and explain and sort out but they said that this account was in her name so therefore it should only affect her credit score. I explained that it was clearly affecting my credit score and mortgage application but they say that my name is not on their records, only hers. How is this affecting me then? how do i reslove this? any help much appreciated.

[forumfairy]

Just a thought - you say you took out the account initially but it now seems to be in her name only, was a Transfer of Ownership done at any point, i.e. moving the account from your name to hers?
If this was the case it may be possible that the credit issue took place whilst it was still in your name. If a transfer of ownership was done this would be on the account notes from the time it took place and should give information about your previous account number.
As I say, just a possibility but perhaps worth exploring in the absence of any other reason. 🙂

[BandOfBrothers]

Some information in here may help. 

http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Off-topic/Default-on-your-Credit-File-How-to-add-a-Notice-of-Correcti...

Alternatively The Vodafone Community Forum is owned and monitored by Vodafone U.K. There is members of the Vodafone Team here who are available to respond and Help where they can. They are easily identifiable as they have the Official Vodafone logo next to their name. All posts are read by them.

I'm sure they will be in touch as soon as possible. 

[moudy31]

Not to my knowledge. I remember when I signed the contract in 2011 at carphone warehouse, I providedmy details but the account was under her name and she was the sole user. Thank you for your reply I will still enquire about this though.

[forumfairy]

When a contract is taken out if you are being asked for your signature and the bank details/phone are hers then that would indicate that at some point this account has been registered in your name - even if its been an error at point of sale.  If the account had been taken out in her name there would be no requirement for your signature as you would have no connection to it. When a sale is made the credit check is taken for the person making the purchase, i.e. they couldn't credit check you and then directly set the account up in her name.  Even for a transfer of ownership there would be a settling period of up to three months before this was possible.  It can often be that the account would be taken out with your details, for example, but with her bank details registered for all payments to be taken and an authority on the account for her to discuss it without having the requirement of you being present.  

[forumfairy]

Apologies,  I note you say the bank details were yours but taken out in her name and I've swapped it around.  Duh!

Regardless, if they have asked you to sign it rather than your sister then that indicates you are the one who has been credit checked for the account. Did your sister sign anything at the time? Obviously its a long shot with the time since the contract was taken out but if the bank details were yours then, assuming she didn't later change them to her own, the payments would have come out of your bank account and therefore there may be a paper trail for any missed payments.  Also, as the account has now been settled your sister must have had the usual information about the closure of the account and how this came about.  If there is an adverse credit issue which is showing as "settled" then its likely she would have had correspondence from Vodafone about this before settling the account. 

[moudy31]

Thanks for your response. She didnt sign a thing. I did and i was credit checked, correct My sister is abroad at the moment. The frustrating thing when i speak to customer services is that they cannot find my name on their system. Even when they search my address my name doesnt come up on their system. However, my sisters name comes up but they are unable to talk about the account without her presence. I am the one its affecting but they have no recollection of my name or details who opened the account. Dont know what to do.

[forumfairy]

If its even possible for her to contact them via webchat or +44 7836 191 191 from abroad (standard international call charges apply) then she may be able to add you as an authorised user, which would allow you to discuss the account at least.  

[forumfairy]

Should have said, if the account is now showing her name only as the holder then your details may not show on any searches automatically.  Rather it would be a case of going through the account history and checking for details on any changes in ownership or bank details.

[BandOfBrothers]

@moudy31

Please let the Vodafone forum team catch up with your thread as I mentioned in Message 3.

They have specialist teams to help with these types of situations.