False Default on Credit File

[psahota1979]

BT by mistake, 2 years ago transferred a £17 debt (when my account was closed) without informing me to a debt collection agency (who never contacted me) which caused my re-mortgage application to fail (costing me an additional £550 monthly mortgage payment).  

I’ve contacted the various credit record companies and have raised a dispute but told BT must remove the default notice. I have contacted BT, was advised to just pay £17 which will automatically fix things (apparently) but has not been the case. BT has provided me with an email stating their mistake and that there is no balance but the credit agencies will not accept this.  I have been informed BT MUST contacted the credit agencies to remove the default notices. 

Before I start legal proceedings and contacting the Ombudsman, can anyone help as this is urgent?

Thank you

[Keith_Beddoe]

@psahota1979 

This is just a customer to customer help forum, everyone here, including myself, are just customers.

The only BT Employees are the forum moderators.

The first thing you need to do is raise a dispute with either Equifax, Experian etc, depending on who the debt is with. You can do that at 

• Online at www.equifax.co.uk/ask
• Call 0800 014 2955
• Address – Equifax Ltd
  • Customer Service Centre
  • PO Box 10036
  • Leicester
  • LE3 4FS

or 

• Online at www.experian.co.uk
• Call 0344 481 8000
• Address - Experian Headquarters Talbot House
  • Talbot Street
  • Nottingham
  • N80 1TH

Or

• Online at www.transunion.co.uk
• Call 0330 024 7574
• Address - Consumer Services Team
  • TransUnion
  • PO Box 647
  • Unit 4
  • Hull
  • HU9 9QZ

They'll then liaise with BT for you.

[psahota1979]

Thanks for the clarification and information Keith. Much appreciated. 

[Shan2]

Hi, 

I have closed my account with BT in December and was never told on the call that I owed them any monies. 

I was informed by the lady who answered my call to return the modem and that is what I had done. 

In late January and February I started getting really strange and scammy looking texts regarding an unpaid bill which I ignored because I do not have an unpaid bill as I had received no communication from BT via Email or Letter regarding any outstanding payments. 

Now eventually the texts got so regular and after seeing an email for this too. I had paid the monies so the texts will stop. 

I have checked my credit score and BT have informed the agency that I have defaulted a payment which has caused huge reduction in my credit score.

i was never once contacted by BT directly to pay this fee.

i will very frustrated and disappointed as this has clearly been a huge error on BTs Part. 

how will I know I owe any monies if you do not inform me directly? 

[Shan2]

Hi, did u manage to resolve this? 

I have the same issue! 

[Shan2]

Hi I am in the same situation 

did u manage to resolve this? 

[imjolly]

Have you raised a dispute as suggested by @Keith_Beddoe 

[imjolly]

Raise a dispute see your other post

[Shan2]

I have just raised this but I’m unsure as to whether this will help.

I can see so so many people have been impacted by this on this forum.

It’s outrageous

I really hope they can resolve this.


They did not even send me a letter/email/text informing me there is an outstanding balance. I would have simply paid the money. Instead they have directly reported me to a credit agency.

Very frustrating times. I have worked hard to get my credit score and have never defaulted before in my life - to be told I have defaulted is making me stressed out

[Shan2]

Hi John,

You are the only person I have seen on this forum that has had this issue resolved.

Could you please tell me what it is that you did to get this resolved.

I have just checked my credit score and it has halved.

I have never defaulted in my life and I have always maintained a good credit history.

Today I realised that BT have reported a default to credit agencies incorrectly.

This feels so unfair.

I was never contacted by BT ever informing me I had an outstanding amount. Clearly feels like an admin error of some kind.

Please help if you can.