Hi, new user here and just want some general advice! Last year I received a letter from Hutchinson 3G requesting payment of a £450 debt that I had allegedly not settled, from 2007! As far as I could remember I had disputed the debt at the time (on the grounds that they had set up two contracts in my name by mistake, effectively one was a ghost contract that I had never used/didn't exist!) and had considered the matter to be closed. the debt was passed on to Lowell Group who proceeded to threaten me under three different guises ('Lowell', 'Hamptons' and 'Red') and as I had no paperwork (binned it all years ago) I just caved in Sept 2011 and said I'd pay £10 a month to get them off my back (but I never admitted liability). I have now discovered that I have an horrendous default on my credit file (I'd never looked at it before) which shows the account in default for years and I wanted some advice on how I should proceed. I can't get anything out of Hutchinson 3G - not even the original paperwork. But I am desperate to clear up my file and I want to apply for mortgages next year so should I: a) Clear 'debt' in full and move on; b) Settle at a reduced amount; c) Not pay and wait until the entry disappears from my file (presumable after 6 years from date of default??). After the entry is removed from the file does this mean that it will have the same effect as if I had paid it off in full?? Thanks in advance!