Vodafone trying to trash my credit file

[MrHat]

I replied earlier Lee

[MrHat]

Well that was an interesting chat and I hope you dont mind me posting it lee.

 

It seems a mystery why the cra updates have suddenly started bring made. Also discovered that at some point late on in my contract with Vodafone that someone has messed around with my address in their systems which is probably why I haven't heard anything for a long time.

 

Apparently the system suggests that there are arrears on the account but I was not informed of this after I moved away from Vodafone.

 

Also if that was the case, one would expect my credit file to reflect this.

 

So a confusing case! Account is on hold for now pending investigation.

[havinastella]

I'm glad it's getting sorted.

 

JOgs

[2Grumpy]

There are obviously a few questions that vodaphone need to answer for you

 

- how the address got changed

 

- when did the address get changed

 

- who changed it

 

- who asked for it to be changed

 

compare all that with when you ended your contract - maybe the CS didn't get the next customer's record up before making changes

 

- why did vodaphone continue to update your credit file for 5 years

 

- why did they suddenly add a default?

 

- what amount are they saying is outstanding

 

- is it correct, bearing in mind that they already admit to messing up part of your account

 

- when will they correct your account

 

- when will they correct your cra file - they cannot add a default 5 years after an account was closed

 

- will they compensate you for their libelling you for the last 5 years?

[Wayne0]

+1

[MrHat]

Thanks for the input guys. When i last checked, it wasn't showing default, just 2 consec late payments. The next stage, if it hasn't happened since I last checked, will probably be 'default' I would have thought.

[Wayne0]

Thanks for the input guys. When i last checked, it wasn't showing default, just 2 consec late payments. The next stage, if it hasn't happened since I last checked, will probably be 'default' I would have thought.

I thought defaults were after six months.

[MrHat]

My understanding is that best practice is no sooner than 3 months but no later than 6 months.

 

Lee - I sent you an email with updated contact details.

 

Cheers

[2Grumpy]

How were you paying your bills? If by direct debit and you hadn't cancelled the payment then they should have been paid ...

[Lee Vodafone Company Rep]

Well that was an interesting chat and I hope you dont mind me posting it lee.

 

It seems a mystery why the cra updates have suddenly started bring made. Also discovered that at some point late on in my contract with Vodafone that someone has messed around with my address in their systems which is probably why I haven't heard anything for a long time.

 

Apparently the system suggests that there are arrears on the account but I was not informed of this after I moved away from Vodafone.

 

Also if that was the case, one would expect my credit file to reflect this.

 

So a confusing case! Account is on hold for now pending investigation.

 

Hi MrHat,

 

Thanks for updating the thread following our conversation.

 

As you state, certain aspects of your case remain unclear at the moment but you can rest assured that I'll do my best to get to the bottom of them and as promised I'll get back to you as soon as I can with an update.

 

I thought defaults were after six months.

 

Hi Wayne0,

 

Once an account with us is in arrears for ninety days or more we would usually record a late payment status code 3 and unless any payment had been made or manual intervention had taken place following receipt of a dispute then the following month a default would usually be recorded.

 

Kind regards to you both.

 

Lee

 

Web Relations Team

 

Vodafone UK

 

 

[silverfox1961]

Hi

This suggests to me that VF have done an audit of old accounts, found yours and 'assumed' it was still active due to the contract not being closed properly. This happens a lot with VF staff (poor training?) and it's only through these forums that this practice is exposed. Lee (to his credit) does a lot to help but he is constrained to follow VFs rules. Common sense rarely comes into things where VF are concerned. Reason flies out of the window!

 

I would be keeping a close eye on your credit file for the next couple of months as (as Lee has said) they will default in the fourth month. If this happens you should give them ONE chance to rectify this. If they fail. sue!

 

While this case is different, it shows what can be achieved using the courts.

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?302670-Vodafone-Incorrect-Default-*WON-out-of-court-settlement*&highlight=philharg

[MrHat]

I heard back from Lee and am awaiting copy of outstanding bills from when the account was closed.

 

They offer to move the missed payment markers back to 4 1/2 years ago on my CRA file if I settle the balance. Account is currently on hold.

 

Will keep you posted

[MARTIN3030]

So the arrears they are talking of are £331.00 ? (as posted earlier)

I wasnt aware that payment markers going back 4.5 years are still showing on your CRF ?

Thanks for update anyway.

[2Grumpy]

Have I understood this correctly? Vodaphone will only record the date of the default correctly if you pay them?

 

Presumably this wasn't in writing!!

 

Either you have been paying the bill all this time and there is nothing to pay or they have messed up

 

Either way, this is another example of Vodaphone attempting to use credit files as a means of debt collection.

 

Make sure that you get copies of all alleged bills, details of the alleged address change etc

 

In any event, they are publishing information about you that they know is untrue

[Lee Vodafone Company Rep]

I heard back from Lee and am awaiting copy of outstanding bills from when the account was closed.

 

They offer to move the missed payment markers back to 4 1/2 years ago on my CRA file if I settle the balance. Account is currently on hold.

 

Will keep you posted

 

Hi MrHat,

 

Thanks for updating your thread following our conversation last week.

 

I look forward to hearing from you again shortly so we can discuss matters further.

 

Kind regards,

 

Lee

 

Web Relations Team

 

Vodafone UK

[MrHat]

Lee- have you sent the bills and assume you amended my address so that they reach me?2Grumpy - you have understood me correctly. However, there is no default recorded at all, just two late payment markers recorded in May and June. The are saying that 'subject to me settling the bill, they will move those markers back to the correct dates. What I am worried about is Vodafone moving the entry back to the correct date but changing it from 'late payment' to 'default' which would obviously have an adverse affect on my ability to get credit.The issue of the incorrect address is still puzzling me. I know that I used to receive mail from them during the many years of my contract and that at some time, somehow the address has been altered on their system meaning that mail did not reach me. This is the number one cause, in my view, why this was not sorted out years ago. If may well have missed payments, but I never received any bills, reminders or warnings to suggest so.Will wait to receive bills and cross reference with my banking records.

[MrHat]

sorry for no paragraphs. Can't seen to make them happen for work pc

[Lee Vodafone Company Rep]

Hi MrHat,

 

You can be assured that I've sent them to the correct address and so hopefully you'll get them later this week.

 

Thanks,

 

Lee

 

Web Relations Team

 

Vodafone UK

[2Grumpy]

I appreciate that it is 3 months non-payment that causes the issue.

 

My understanding is that you haven't paid anything since 2007.

 

I don't understand why you would have to pay Vodaphone anything to get the non-payment moved to the correct date. To me that sounds like a true refection of events.

 

Do you know what the £331 is for? Did they not disconnect you when you ask ed them to. It does seem to have taken them a long time to realise that you weren't paying. Were they recording payments of zero as ok on your credit report?

[MrHat]

The bills will show what the 331 quid is for which are on their way to me.

 

I may well owe the money. As I said originally, I have spent a lot of time getting my credit file in order, mainly with the help of CAG. This was a long time ago and memory is a little hazy I must admit.

 

However, I have never been asked to pay this money in the past and am only being asked now due to markers appearing on my cra file. I CONTACTED THEM! I am sure it is due to an error on Vodafone's part. I certainly didn't change my address details.

 

My feeling is that there shouldn't be a condition that I pay them money in order for them not to trash my credit file. Moreover, if I do owe this money any pay up, I dont think I deserve and bad markers on my file whatsoever. But thats just my opinion.

[2Grumpy]

Read any letters carefully

 

Although the offer of moving the default date might look as though it is conditional on your paying, they probably won't be. You shouldn't let them force you into paying more than you should - after all they aren't offering you anything special, just to correct the file, not to remove the default. Remember that your credit files do not accurately reflect the position.

 

Did you contact vodaphone in May - or maybe get a copy of your credit file. It would be interesting to find out what made them suddenly treat your account differently

 

The other thing to remember is that it is Vodaphone's fault that they hold the wrong address, not yours and their fault that they didn't contact you at the time. If the bill includes any charges that were applied after they changed the address on the account, any non-payment is their fault too.

 

Do post back with as much information as you get

Edited August 7, 2012 by 2Grumpy

[MrHat]

ok, so it seems my bank did refuse a few payments all those years ago and I owe something. Still reconciling figures.

 

One thing I did notice is that I was being charged for insurance that I never realised I was. I am completely against the idea of phone insurance as have always thought it is a ripoff, hence was surprised to see it on my bills. Apparently it was agreed at the time of upgrading in a shop. Hmmm. Anything I can do here? Lee is trying to locate the paperwork and I am due to speak to him tomorrow.

 

One thing I wanted to ask CAG is: Whatever I agree to pay - should I get in in writingt that they will remove negative (and incorrect) data from my credit file before paying?

 

Any example threads where this has been done successfully?

 

Cheers

[2Grumpy]

I would still find out when the bills were from - it might be after you cancelled the contract

[MrHat]

Bills are from when contract was still running. The bills are very high which is the likely reason why my bills account at the time did not have enough funds.

 

Neither my bank or Vodafone let ne know there was a problem at the time and I didn't have online banking back then.

[Lee Vodafone Company Rep]

ok, so it seems my bank did refuse a few payments all those years ago and I owe something. Still reconciling figures.

 

One thing I did notice is that I was being charged for insurance that I never realised I was. I am completely against the idea of phone insurance as have always thought it is a ripoff, hence was surprised to see it on my bills. Apparently it was agreed at the time of upgrading in a shop. Hmmm. Anything I can do here? Lee is trying to locate the paperwork and I am due to speak to him tomorrow.

 

One thing I wanted to ask CAG is: Whatever I agree to pay - should I get in in writingt that they will remove negative (and incorrect) data from my credit file before paying?

 

Any example threads where this has been done successfully?

 

Cheers

 

Hi MrHat,

 

Thanks for keeping your thread up to date.

 

Unfortunately, I wasn't in the office yesterday but I'll get back in touch with you during the course of today to discuss matters further.

 

Kind regards,

 

Lee

 

Web Relations Team

 

Vodafone UK