Just a bit of an update. After reading copious amounts of technical jargon and trying to arm myself as best I can, I decided to give it a try calling one of my lenders, Natwest, about the AP markers on my file and the current account which I had no idea as to what it was! They said that the current account had not been used since May 2009 and had no idea why it was being marked as AP since 2012 but that this wouldn't effect my credit scoring as it has a balance of £0 - after a bit of persuading to look into this further they have agreed to correct my credit file to show that this account was closed in May 2009 and never been in AP. Also as they defaulted me on my CC but not on my loan, which they say they should have, they are going to amend the AP's being marked monthly on my loan to a default backdated to Aug 2009 and remove the current account completely from my file. I'll await to see this in black and white but am hopeful to be getting somewhere. Now just all the other lenders to talk to and think I'll leave Barclaycard (with their known unhelpfullness) to last.

I am using Stepchange dx, thank you for the link, I have some reading to do. Never heard of a CCA request, its not something I've requested from creditors? I will read up about this and the ico link. Thank you kindly

Tank you for your reply dx100uk, sorry but I don't fully understand, so if a creditor is marking my file as AP each month without marking it as defaulted this is something I could potentially contest? I see from another thread you offered advice on that once a creditor has marked you as defaulted they are well within their rights to continue marking you as AP subsequent to that. In this case could I potentially cause more damage by contacting them and asking them to reassess my file? Thanks

I'm looking for some advice and don't know where to turn. I'll try and keep this to the facts and not waffle on! I entered into a DMP in 2009 which is due to end 2016. I have just plucked up the courage to view my credit file and am alarmed by how the creditors have marked me so differently. I assumed all would default me but have since found that this is not the case and some have done possibly more damage to my credit file than I anticipated. Brief overview: Santander cards - settled March 2013 and July 2013 - file marked 6 late payments each month from DMP start date to settled date. Natwest credit card - file marked default Sept 2009 - no further entries and on going payments. idem Servicing 1 (previously MBNA) - marking file as up to date each month - on going payments. idem Servicing 2 (previously MBNA) - marking file as up to date each month - on going payments. Next - settled April 2013 - marked file as AP since 2009 with the odd green marker here and there. Shop direct - settled Nov 2013 - file marked 3 late payments every month to settled date. Natwest personal loans - marked as AP every month to current date - on going payments. Capital one credit card - marked default July 2009 - settled. Barclaycard credit card - marked AP each month since DMP start - on going payments. Natwest current account - marked AP from 2012 - up to date - 0 balance owed but still marking AP each month to current date. my questions are: 1. I entered into the DMP a Natwest credit card and loan and have no idea what the personal account is? I had a joint account with my partner before the DMP but changed this to just his name 2009 and now bank elsewhere. I have no idea what this account is and as the balance is £0 this file has been marked AP from Feb 2012 to current date. 2. Am I right in thinking a default at the start of DMP would be better than AP every month as the defaults are due to drop off my file in 2015 whereas the AP's are on going and I believe will stay on my file for 6 years after DMP settled. If so can they do this as they will have in effect given me bad scoring for a total of 13 years? can I contact them and ask for this to be changed? 3. idem Servicing (MBNA) have marked my file up to date with no bad markers since starting the DMP, should I just think myself lucky or can/will they default me upon settling the accounts in 2015? 4. I assumed my credit file would show the previous 6 years ie back to 2008, but for instance the Natwest credit card show 2006 - 2009. When will this drop off my file? I thank anyone in advance of you taking the time to read this and reply, and hope it can help others with similar questions.

And have just learnt my first lesson, oppps, posted in the wrong place! I apologise

I'd just like to introduce myself and say hello.I'll start by saying I'm quite clueless, although I can get by with simple things, about all things financial and am hoping to improve my knowledge along with get some help and advice with regards to my DMP (debt management plan) and credit file.I look forward to having a good look around the site and trying to make sense of my situation. From what I have seen so far I am hopeful to find the answers I need from the site and hope to possibly be able to contribute to it in some way.Thanks