VF Still Reporting My Closed Account To Credit Agency

[b86]

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....

[atlas21]

Hi, I am also experiencing the same issue. My closed account still appearing as active on my credit reports. Could you please direct me to the Credit File Specialists to resolve this matter. Thank you.

[Tash]

@atlas21 Please follow the details I'll be sending via private message and one of our Credit File specialists will be in touch to help.

[apfel912]

I closed my broadband account July last year, but it's still being reported to credit agencies

[Removed] Ordered and canceled (later same day) 19/7/2018

[MOD EDIT: This post has been edited to personal information please see Community Guidelines]

[Mark]

Hi @apfel912, I'm sorry to hear your closed account is still showing on your file. If you contact us via Facebook at Vodafone UK, or on Twitter using the handle @VodafoneUK one of our Credit File specialists will be more than happy to look into this for you.

[enham007]

I reported the issue of vodafone account appearing in credit report even after closure but nothing changed and it is still on my credit report whereas i left nearly 3 years 9 months ago in September/October 2018. I can’t believe why you wouldn’t remove my account when nothing is outstanding from my side. Could you please help?

[Effie]

As we have no account access on the Community @enham007 we will need you to send a message to the Social Media team here. They can securely access your old account and they can then contact the Credit File team on your behalf and have this corrected. 

[morphix]

This is outrageous and unforgivable. I hope Vodafone compensate you.

These credit history file companies can be a nightmare. I think it's about time some proper regulatory oversight was in place on them. At the moment they seem to be regulating themselves and have created an entire industry from sharing and using personal data, in a manner which seems to contradict the Data Protection Act often.

Now the news is just out, that Equifax - one of the largest of the UK credit history companies has managed to have one of its hard drives hacked in the US with over 15 million "customers" details now in the blackmarket. I hope they receive a substantial fine! 

I don't see why WE should PAY companies like Equifax (even if its only £3) and others to check what's on our records and the accurancy of such information they share about us with third parties. Surely, these companies have a duty of care and a legal responsibility to allow us direct access to information they hold about us, and we should be able to hold them accountable for the validity of information they store and share. If they can't do it without charging a fee, then it's clearly not a viable business model or industry to operate...but considering the amount of money they make, I don't buy that. 

[b86]

I agree, it's terrible that this sort of thing can happen - accidents do happen, but credit files are one of the things that if errors do occur on it, it can have drastic affects when applying for credit or getting the best deals. It's something that any company with the authority to report to these credit agencies should take a lot more serious, and even audited on due to the consequences that can occur as a direct result of someone simply not closing down an account properly.

[b86]

Vodafones response - just basically they're going to update my credit file. Thats all well and good and so they should! but if I've suffered some finacial loss, and potentially missed out on a property we liked. I also shouldnt have to shell out cash for credit reports, just to see if a phone company i cancled a contract with is still commiting fraud by falsly reporting incorrect data to the credit agencies

Here is Vodafone's response:

Hi John,
Thank you for getting in touch. I’m sorry to hear you’ve faced trouble when applying for a mortgage.
I can see our Credit File support team have already made the amendments to your credit file. This should reflect to lenders and on major credit reference sites within 48 hours from the date it's amended. 　
It’s important to be aware that some third party agencies only produce monthly reports, so it may take up to 30 working days for you to see it
If you have any further questions, please let us know.

[Gemma]

@b86 - I’m sorry to hear the experience you’ve had with this.

I’ve checked with our Credit Specialists team and they’ve got your email reply.

They’ll be back in touch as soon as they can.