Credit Reports, Defaults and T-Mobile

[gmex2005]

I'm currently in the latter stages of my claim with First Direct and I want to use this opportunity to manage my finances better. I've known for some time that my credit rating is pretty bad so I thought getting a credit report would be a good place to start.

Sorry - the rest is a bit of an essay, but I've tried to keep it concise.

I purchased an online credit report from Equifax so I could find out what the Banks and other institutions see about me. (Yes, I know it's not the cheapest way but I was in the mood to find out there and then!)

On my credit report I can see various Credit Agreements from my credit card and the mobile phone companies I've used over the past few years. I can't see any reference to any of my bank accounts. Looking at the individual accounts I can see my payment history for each and all were pretty much as I remember them - with the exception of my first contract with T-Mobile. This is showing as a defaulted account in July 2003 - the amount owed is less than £60. The credit report also shows that I started a new contract with another mobile operator in February 2003. I don't remember ever receiving a default notice from T-Mobile and I don't ever remember owing them money - as far as I was concerned my contract with them had ended.

At the end of last year, I rejoined T-Mobile by going in to a T-Mobile store and I remember them using my credit card details to help them do a credit check - they offered me the contract so I guess I must have met their criteria.

This situation has left me with a few questions, which I would greatly appreciate if anyone can answer:

1. Do all relevant companies report to both Equifax and Experian? If so why is there no information from either of my banks - I have overdrafts with them both? I.e. Would I see other information from Experian?

2. T-Mobile welcomed me back as a customer last year (with the same phone number and at the same address!), having carried out a credit check. Surely they must have seen that, as according to my credit report, I owed them money? If they did, why did they not inform me when I started my new contract?

3. I would really like to get the default sorted - either settled or removed. I don't know which yet because I do not have the information as to what actually happened. I have never heard anything regarding the alleged debt from T-Mobile or any other party since.

I phoned T-Mobile today and the person I spoke to could not find any details about my previous account, and simply suggested I write to customer services, which I intend to do (unless anyone can suggest a better department or person to write to).

Any advice for the next step would be welcome - I am aware that I should ask for proof that the default was properly served, and I have searched and read a few threads about getting defaults removed which were caused by unlawful charges. Can anyone can suggest any particularly "juicy" threads that might help?

Thanks in advance!

[gmex2005]

OK, perhaps I was a little hasty - I had never seen or looked in the legalities section of the site but I stumbed across it somehow. I have now had a quick scan of the "How to get your default removed" thread and that has helped me to start the ball rolling with T-Mobile.

Any answers to the other questions still appreciated though.

[elsinore]

Not all companies report activity to all the CRAs, gmex. It's best to get your credit report from all three (the other one is Call Credit), because they can and do vary. This could explain why T-mobile signed you up again, although I wouldn't put it past them to overlook the small matter of a default in order to get their hooks into you again!!

A bank would not generally report on a normal bank account. It's mainly relevant for structured repayment arrangements, like credit cards, loans, hire purchase, etc. A bank would report a default though.

When you write to T-mobile, get a name. The data protection manager, customer services manager, compliance manager, whatever, and write to that person. Send your letter recorded or special delivery. You should at least get a response. Your letter could take the form of a Data Protection Act request, suitably amended to take account of the particular circumstances.

Elsinore

[gmex2005]

Thanks Elsinore, for clearing up the issue with the CRAs. I think the only other credit agreement I have is with the Student Loans Company - do you think that it is likely that it would appear on the others?

Also, if a bank registered a default against my account, would they not be obliged to tell all the CRAs? Hence it would appear on a report from any of them.

[elsinore]

I don't think a bank is obliged to inform all CRAs, although in practice they probably would. Lenders have to subscribe to CRAs and whereas some smaller companies would only afford one CRA, banks could surely afford all three!!

Another reason for obtaining all three CRA reports is 'double default'. There are many examples (me included) of people being defaulted twice for the same debt!!

Being a government run agency, I'm not sure whether SLC would report to any of the CRAs.

Elsinore