I canceled my vodafone account after many years, a few months ago - due to poor customr service. However, recently I was applying for a mortgage, but was declined because of too many open 'accounts'. I didn't know what they were refering to.
So, I ended up buying a subscription to a credit checking service, and noticed that Vodafone are still reporting that I have an account open with them, but paying £0 a month. This is as good as having an unused credit card/store card on your account - because lenders will see the 0 and expect that it could rise to anything.
I rang up to explain this, and turns out they owed me £45 (or there abouts) - so Vodafone, was going to carry on keeping my account open, instead of just refunding me when my account was *closed* initally. Instead, my accounts been kept open, waiting for me the customer to ring asking for my refund and to close my account - even though I was unaware of this money owed to me, as Vodafone have made no contact to get in touch with me (my address and phone numbers are the same).
So, the girl on the phone has now issued the refund and *closed* my account, and told me they'll write to the credit agencies to fix the problem and should take around 30-45 days. I kind of explained that this has been a problem with Vodafone, unwillingly keeping me in a contract (what it looks like on my credit file), without my agreement, and as a result means my credit file will not be updated in 30-40 days, and therefore cannot apply for the mortgage up until that point. Not to mention, it now looking bad that lenders will see I am applying for what looks like lots of credit (due to re-applying). Unfortunatly, the girl on the phone didn't understand the issue....
The same thing has happend with Sainsbury's who actually went above and beyond in fixing the problem, and even went as far as compensating me as we've potentially miss out on a property we like, and to some degree tarnished my credit file.
I probably wouldn't of been as bothered as much as accidents do happen, it was when she was casually talking like it was just a simple refund and my credit score didn't matter....
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