o2 have given me a default with no warning

[graniteedge]

Hi guys,

 

Apologies that my first post is one asking for help straight away.

 

I've received a letter today from a debt collection agency informing me that because I owe o2 £15 they have defaulted me.

 

This is the first that I have ever heard about this.

 

I phoned the debt collectors regarding the matter and it supposedly relates to an amount I owe o2 from back in 2011.

 

As mentioned I never even knew about this outstanding amount until now, and received absolutely no warning of a default.

 

The debt collection agency have disputed the matter on my behalf, but really I have no faith in them.

 

I was wondering where I stand on this matter and if there is anyway to dispute it.

 

 

For the sake of £15 I would never have let a matter get so serious had I known that I owed o2 money.

Like I said not even a letter from them regarding it.

 

I've spent a fair amount of time googling and there seems to be quite a number of cases of o2 doing this to other people.

Some have phoned o2 and eventually got a resolution.

But there is also advice that I should only contact them via post, recorded delivery.

 

What do you think I should do?

 

I'm not rich by any shot, but £15 isn't a huge amount for me and I would have settled that straight away if I knew I owed the money.

 

I am looking to apply for a mortgage soon and

I know that I can kiss that dream goodbye with this on my credit file,

 

 

so any help on how best to dispute this will really help.

 

The letter sent to me from the debt collection agency informs me that they have recorded a default

but I can't see this on my file, is there a delay in this occurring?

 

Thank you all in advance,

 

 

also just to let you all know that I don't intent to be a poster

who gets advice and doesn't bother to update the thread.

 

 

I promise to keep this thread in the loop with any updates.

[dx100uk]

a DCa cannot record a default on a credit file

 

all they can do is to update an already recorded default

place by the original company

 

if you say the file is clean

 

go check that on another CRA providers site too

just don't rely upon one

details are below.

get a screen dump to prove nothing shows or the report in PDF.

 

who is the DCA?

 

its been known for them to tell little white lies just to spoof money out of you.

 

you have to read their letters CAREFULLY

as they are cleverly written

 

certainly NEVER EVER ring or talk to DCa on the phone for sure

they ARE NOT BAILIFFS

and have

NO SUCH LEGAL POWERS.

[graniteedge]

Hi dx100uk,

 

Many thanks for the reply, the debt collection agency is Lowells. I will check other agencies for sure.

 

Interestingly the chap who I spoke to at Lowells (regret doing this now) has said that he will contest this on my behalf. Any idea what that means?

 

Lowells have registered a search on my credit file, but so far there is no mention of a default. Is this all spiel or is this real?

 

I really don't want one on my file. The letter said that o2 have registered this and the name of the default will transfer to Lowell as the debt has been sold on.

 

Very worried by all this, not sure how best to proceed. Is a SAR worth doing? Or are they using scare tactics with me?

 

I was just so surprised that on the phone Lowells were so happy to dispute this.

 

Thanks,

 

Graniteedge

[graniteedge]

So just an update, on Equifax there is also no default. In fact on both Exerian and Equifax my o2 account shows settled, no late payments and no defaults.

 

Curiously the search Lowells performed on my credit file shows on Experian but not on Equifax

[dx100uk]

well ofcourse they'll talk on the phone

and help

 

 

they've got you by the nuts once you are speaking to them.

 

 

if the debt is not showing

[and NEVER HAS?] of any [Experian/Equifax/noddle] CRA files

 

 

then theres something phishy going on.

 

 

even if

and I suspect that, the debt has been SOLD to lowells

it should STILL BE SHOWING

 

 

if it is def NOT on the three credit file providers lists

 

 

then get shots of them all

 

 

and as soon as [they might] register it

you hit lowells with a compensation claim for false reporting.

 

 

pers I think you've been had

and you've done what everyone innocently does

and rung them, knowing no diff.

 

 

...hey guys, we've got another mug here..

 

 

dx

[dx100uk]

does the account show settled with a bal of £0?

 

 

dx

[graniteedge]

Hi,

 

Damn, by talking to them have I just opened myself up to a default?

 

Yeah it shows settled balance £0.

 

All green as well with no late payments.

 

Am I screwed now?

 

Thanks,

 

Graniteedge

[dx100uk]

if it shows all green

no lates or anything

 

 

lowells are spoofing you

 

 

simply ignore them.

 

 

are you SURE this is the ONLY o2 account you ever had

and it was not say a split one with a phone & a USB internet dongle thrown in.

 

 

no lowells as it looks

 

 

CANNOT default you.

 

 

remember the first rules of being a DCA

 

 

LIE LIE and LIE again to get money out of 'mug'

that falls for our silly letters.

 

 

dx

[graniteedge]

dx100uk, you are a fountain of knowledge, I am donating to this site for sure.

 

I have another account with o2 that is ongoing, again all green, payments made on time every month.

 

This account was from 2011, closed in Nov 2012.

 

 

The letter states that they closed the account 11 months later on Oct 2012,

which does not correspond with anything, and certainly not my credit file.

 

I'm 100% positive that I have no other o2 accounts and the one that was closed on Nov 2012 is the one they are referring to, as it mentions the account number.

 

I have never been informed of an undue balance, and certainly not showing on my file.

 

I also read that after 6 months from the closure date they can't default you?

 

Many thanks again, and hope I make sense, I've been up for far too long today, this has been stressing me out!

[dx100uk]

there certainly no 6mts 'rule' any more

 

 

however

 

 

lets just be clear here.

 

 

a DCA CANNOT default a credit file.

 

 

all they can do is 'buy a debt'

 

 

then 'update' that it is still in default, follow the original companies issued default.

 

 

if there was never a default listed in the summary line of a debt

a DCA CANNOT add one.

 

 

end of.

 

 

glad to help g'night.

 

 

dx

[graniteedge]

dx100uk, I cannot thank you enough for your help. It was truly invaluable.

 

So I guess my next action is just to do nothing?

 

You have saved me many a sleepless night.

 

I'll keep the thread updated if there are any developments.

 

Thanks again.

[graniteedge]

Just another update, of the 3 CRAs, Experian and Equifax both show my o2 account balance as £0 and settled, all green, no late payments and no defaults.

 

Callcredit doesn't even show the account.

 

I've got PDFs of them all should the need arise.

 

 

dx100uk, sorry to pester but is it worth filing some sort of complaint with a regulator to get on the front foot? Or just ignore the letters?

 

Thanks,

 

Graniteedge

[graniteedge]

Hi all,

 

Really sorry to post again, but I just wanted to confirm that my next action will be to ignore Lowells?

 

Do you think it would be worth making a complaint with some regulatory body or leave it if anything goes further?

 

Thanks,

 

Graniteedge

[graniteedge]

Hi all,

 

Just an update. I have received a letter today from Lowells informing me that they have covered the debt for me and as far as they are concerned this matter is now resolved!

 

Brilliant news, many thanks to this forum for the brilliant advice.

 

I have checked again with the 3 CRA's and no defaults listed at all.

 

I will be donating the money that Lowells tried to take from me to this forum, long may it continue.

 

Thanks,

 

Graniteedge.

[sillygirl1]

I would be wary about the 'covering', this may mean that they are happy to 'create a payment' to enable them to clock this up as a 'win' and update your file with inaccurate information.

 

Lowells (or Lowlife as they are also known) are sometime very 'creative'. My latest run in with them (again on an old O2 account) is at stalemate as they cannot identify me through my address information, nor can I pass security so I have told them I am reporting them for failing to adhere to debt collecting guidlines in ensuring the data they hold is accurate and timely.

 

The postcode I was given by them was from an address I left nigh on six years ago so I am claiming statute barring as well!

 

I would keep a very close eye (and keep the screendumps) on your credit file over the next few months just in case.

[dx100uk]

I take it your spell checker interrupted there

and you mean 'closed'

 

 

dx