Virgin place entry onto credit file after 14 Years

[s500l]

Hi all

 

Was checking my Experian credit file to find out that virgin media has added an entry onto my account saying that i owe them money from 1999 yet the entry was put onto my credit file last month.

 

I was fuming.

 

Always kept my credit file spotless. Spoke to Experian who said straight away that something does not look right. They asked me to contact virgin and then call them back, which i did.

 

Virgin told me that the account was closed in the year 2000. I then asked that, if i owed them this money why they had not contacted myself (still at same address 14 years later). Their response was that they had sent out a letter in 2000. I then asked why did they not send another letter asking for the monies owed. thier response was they ONLY SEND ONE LETTER ASKING FOR PAYMENT WITH NO REMINDERS SENT OUT. I could not stop laughing at this point. I then asked for copy invoices for which they replied they had none, only a statement could be provided.(What a joke). Virgin have asked me to write to them requesting the info held but a statement does not mean anything.

 

Entry on my file is saying this amount owed has now started from 12/2012 with no payment history logged for the last 14 years.

I spoke to Experian and explained the conversation that i had with virgin. They knew full well that this entry should not have been placed onto my credit file. They said they would investigate and contact virgin and i would know the outcome in 14 days.

 

Question is do i have any recourse against virgin for any damages because I was going to purchase a new sofa and wanted to check my report before I purchased. Good job I did otherwise I would not have noticed. Secondly my score has gone down because of this entry.

 

If they refuse to remove this from my file should i file a court action against them or am i rushing into things.

 

All suggestions much appreciated.

 

Will contact the ICO in due course after Experian investigation.

[power1]

Hi

 

From what i can see virgin have not got a leg to stand on. Regarding the comp issue i think you may be able to ask for compensation but i would wait for a more experienced member to reply.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Hi all

 

Was checking my Experian credit file to find out that virgin media has added an entry onto my account saying that i owe them money from 1999 yet the entry was put onto my credit file last month.

 

I was fuming.

 

Always kept my credit file spotless. Spoke to Experian who said straight away that something does not look right. They asked me to contact virgin and then call them back, which i did.

 

Virgin told me that the account was closed in the year 2000. I then asked that, if i owed them this money why they had not contacted myself (still at same address 14 years later). Their response was that they had sent out a letter in 2000. I then asked why did they not send another letter asking for the monies owed. thier response was they ONLY SEND ONE LETTER ASKING FOR PAYMENT WITH NO REMINDERS SENT OUT. I could not stop laughing at this point. I then asked for copy invoices for which they replied they had none, only a statement could be provided.(What a joke). Virgin have asked me to write to them requesting the info held but a statement does not mean anything.

 

Entry on my file is saying this amount owed has now started from 12/2012 with no payment history logged for the last 14 years.

I spoke to Experian and explained the conversation that i had with virgin. They knew full well that this entry should not have been placed onto my credit file. They said they would investigate and contact virgin and i would know the outcome in 14 days.

 

Question is do i have any recourse against virgin for any damages because I was going to purchase a new sofa and wanted to check my report before I purchased. Good job I did otherwise I would not have noticed. Secondly my score has gone down because of this entry.

 

If they refuse to remove this from my file should i file a court action against them or am i rushing into things.

 

All suggestions much appreciated.

 

Will contact the ICO in due course after Experian investigation.

 

You need first to make a formal complaint to the Data Controller at Virgin, and insist that the entry is removed asap, also you will need check all the credit reference agencies as the entry may well be on all of them.

 

It is unlikely that court action would be efficient or cost effective, you will have to exhuast the complaints prodedures of the Virgin who supplied the data, the CRA cannot remove or amend the entry

with out permission.

 

As to any financial redress you would have to prove any actual financial loss was caused by the actions of Virgin.

 

As to the good old ''credit score'' it is intended as a day to day ''indication'' as to how you may be seen by a potential lender and is for your eyes only not and creditors or lenders.

[s500l]

Thanks for the replys.

 

I have found invoices from recent account at the same address with virgin showing that they owed me money when i closed the account which was not that long ago. why did they provide services to me if i owed them money. i have the original invoices to show that they owed me money which totally contradicts what they are saying. i even have more paperwork to prove that this debt is without merit.

 

I will make a complaint to virgin but i have to wait for the outcome of experians investigation first. If virgin still persist that they will not remove this from my credit file after exhausting the complaints process then can a court or the ICO order virgin to remove this entry from my file? i have proof that this money is not owed and the entry on the credit file has been added incorrectly.

 

Thanks

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

The outcome finally will be governed by the reponse from Virgin, Experian have to accept that the data provided by a creditor is correct and have no facility to validate it.

From what is known now the clearest and simplest challenge to the entries is that of manifest unfairness, ICO guidance on defaults says that a default should usually be place within 6 months of the cause of action. so 14 years is an obvious reason for it's removal.

 

Have you checked all the other CRAs?

[power1]

From what i can see you have nothing to worry about.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Yes they could after seeking an explanation fro Virgin and considering the response.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

There is something odd here I reply and ask a question of one user and get the answer from another?????

[s500l]

Good afternoon Sir

 

Thats good news. Will just have to wait and see now and take action accordingly if need be.

 

Will update soon.

 

I must add Brigadier, that you are a credit to this website and would like to thank you for your advice.

[s500l]

My bad. was using a friends account because i could not remember my password.

 

Apologies.

[dx100uk]

My bad. was using a friends account because i could not remember my password.

 

Apologies.

 

huh....

 

so you are spoofing the forum?

 

posts one & two here refer.........

 

dx

[s500l]

I have been a member for 2years and have not mislead or mean to spoof anybody.

 

Thank you very much!

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Why the two user names please why are are the answers coming alternately from the 2 user names????

[s500l]

Hi Brigs

 

I used a friends account to reply back to yourself as i could not find my password when i saw your previous post. Once i had found my password i then replied back to you again from my own account. I assure you there is no spoofing going on.

 

Hope this answers your question.

 

Thanks

[dx100uk]

ah so your freind answered your org posted query

rather than phoning or speaking to you directly?

dx

[s500l]

Ah yes, why is that unusual too you.

 

Never heard of facebook , twitter or even text messaging my friend!