Southern Water 2nd Default - same account **RESOLVED**

[Munirs]

Hi

 

I need some advice please.

 

I have built up a good credit record over the time. In fact, I was in the "fair" zone for credit.

However, I recently applied for a Business Bank account and was turned down because of my credit record which surprised me as I was sure I had a fairly good record.

 

It turns out that I had a debt with my local water company which was passed onto DCA called UK Search Ltd.

 I had an agreement with the water company and I was on time with my payments and I had failed to keep up,  because I thought the payments were complete and I didn't check! - lesson learn there!

 

I approached my water company because the only default I have on my Experian is under their name, and they told me my account is up-to-date, and the debt shows up as satisfied but the lady said to talk to UK Search Ltd because there maybe an outstanding balance with them?

 

My question is:

If I approach UK Search Ltd about this debt to resolve the matter, can they chase me for any other debts that I may have?

I don't know if I have any other debts, I want to avoid opening a can of worm, based on the fact that I have spoken to them on this matter?

 

How should I approach them?

And what else can I do to get this default addressed - I know it will stay there for 6 years. - Thanks for reading!!

And Thanks for answers!

[dx100uk]

stuff and all to do with UK search.

 

since discovering the default you have now bought the AC upto date having missing a payment at some point which resulted in a default being registered?

 

your story is confusing .

[Munirs]

Sorry, I can see the issue. I have re-edited parts of the article - please do let me know if its ok now. Thanks Dx

[BankFodder]

It might be helpful to know which water company you're talking about as well

[Munirs]

Please add this to the above which was not clear - Sorry about this

 

It turns out that I had accrued a debt with my local water company, Southern Water, as I failed a repayment with them, and they  passed  the debt onto DCA called UK Search Ltd.

I approached my water company  and they told me that I have two account with them. Why? Because the old account that had debt was closed  after the debt was passed on.

My new account is up-to-date, and there in an entry on the new account which shows "default satisfied" . The lady on the phone thinks that I may have had another default on the new account but that that got satisfied - due to them realising I was paying on time. For the old account which is closed, there maybe a debt but I had to talk to UK Search Ltd because there maybe an outstanding balance with them?

[dx100uk]

the simple answer is you never ever contact a DCA.

theres nowt they can do to you anyway.

[Munirs]

 

Then the default stays?

What if I can pay the default amount which is £700?

 

I feel why you say not to approach them.

They are not a nice bunch and I have read so many stories involving UK Search Ltd.

[dx100uk]

you can't remove a default by paying it off no

it's there for 6yrs as a true reflection of how you operated an A/C.

 

however, it is sometimes worthy to try and see if you can also negotiate it's removal by payment.

no DCA has any involvement ever, as they can't default you

only the original creditor can default you.

 

is this actually showing in the summary status of the debt, not simply a D in the calendar section which only you and the debt owner can see anyway.?

 

 

[Munirs]

You are raising some interesting facts - let me check and get back to you.

I asked the Southern Water lady if I paid the amount can they remove the default or show it as satisfied and she said no? 

[dx100uk]

phone jockey's have nothing but scripts.

[Bazooka Boo]

Good old Southern Water.

 

Yep as DX says, once they marked your credit file, there it sits for six years, even if you pay it and they mark it as satisfied it won't make a jot of difference to lenders as the computer will always say 'no'.

 

What date did they add it?

Edited October 5, 2020 by Bazooka Boo

[Munirs]

The date is November 2019

 

On the Experian site, it is showing under the "Understand you score" section with a score showing to the right.

 

On Adverse events, it is marked as "High risk"  and time since last default 10 months.

 

Though under moderate risk, I have Total rolling debt and accounts with a current balance : BOTH OF WHICH I CAN'T RECOGNISE?

 

[Munirs]

It looks like the original default was dated of November 2013, this is when I just had a stroke, and went behind with my bills.

 

Southern Water sold the debt to UK Search Ltd who went ahead put a default straightaway.

Then in 2019, last year, UK Search Ltd  renewed that default prior to expiring.

 

I am assuming they have bought the debt so they want some money.

I haven't approached them at all. I am up-to-date with Southern though,.

 

As UK Search Ltd expect to get something from the debt, they renewed the default and will probably keep doing this for the foreseeable future.

 

I am assuming they can do this -  renew the default endlessly so it is within the 6 years and stays on record?

 

If I approach UK Search Ltd and offer to pay off, can they remove the default? I am unsure here as I have read that whichever company that recorded the default can actually remove it?

 

This default didn't show up on Experian credit report, prior to Nov 2019 - but suspiciously was started at the same time as the old one from 2013 was about to expire?

 

This is affecting my ability to get a job.

 

This is stressing me out so much now. 

Hope for good folks here to help me find a way out. Thanks.

 

Can  i get Southern to show as satisfied as it is showing that on their system?

[dx100uk]

no UK search are a DCA, their letters say our client southern water.

SW have done the defaults and are thus your target.

 

the debt must be removed from your file on the defaults expiry (it's 6th birthday) they cannot redefault you to keep it again on your file another 6yrs,

the ICO rules are quite clear on this.

 

so the debt should NOT be showing now.

 

 

[Munirs]

Thanks Dx.

 

Had a chat with Southern's resolution manager and he said that Southern did send in January notes to the credit companies to say that the default has been satisfied. He said the credit companies haven't updated their records? Why wouldn't they? I have asked him to send the notes again to all the credit agencies. 

 

My worry about this default is that I have applied with American Express,  and they do as per their email: candidates  will be required to complete a Background Verification Check before starting. This includes a UK criminal record check via DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service), and we are required to verify your identity as part of this process

 

Probably the default will show up and this could be the end of my application!

[dx100uk]

eh?

defaults are not criminal...

CRA file providers don' t place or remove defaults 

they allow creditors to direct access to be able to do so

sth water can remove them themselves, 

[Munirs]

Doesn't the Background Verification Check include credit checking?  I have asked Southern since my account is right bang up-to-date would they consider removing the default, and they said they can't?

[dx100uk]

All references to a defaulted debt must be removed from your credit files after 6 years 
has passed from date of default, whether paid off, paying now or not. 
.
{the WHOLE ACCOUNT WILL VANISH, never to return}.
.
{however, this does not mean the debt itself is not still owed
consider a CCA request.}
.
This is so that someone who continues paying something 
- even after 6 years from default 
- should not be at a disadvantage to someone who pays nothing after default 
and ends up with a clean file after 6 years. 
.
NOTE: {the bracketed text is not Information Commisioners Office guideline but my advise]
 

4 hours ago, Munirs said:

It looks like the original default was dated of November 2013,

 

which means +6yrs is nov 2019, 

 

the ico clearly state:

 

All references to a defaulted debt must be removed from your credit files after 6 years 
has passed from date of default, whether paid off, paying now or not. 
.
This is so that someone who continues paying something 
- even after 6 years from default 
- should not be at a disadvantage to someone who pays nothing after default 
and ends up with a clean file after 6 years. 
.
dx
 

 

 

[Munirs]

So the law says after 6 years, a default must be removed. Yet Nov 2013 default is registered and from Nov 2019 default  under the name of Southern Water appears?  Did they register a new default then? On the anniversary of the removal of the old one, they register new one? Something isn't adding up...

[dx100uk]

no the governing authority over credit files ...the Information Commissioners Office 

and again it doesn't say the default must be removed after 6yrs, it states ALL REFERENCES to a defaulted debt , i'e the WHOLE account must be removed.

 

it should not be showing, so it matters not if they default it again...it's GONE.from your file

[Munirs]

Is it possible that the credit company just failed to remove the default?

How can this be verified?

 

Southern say their records show default as satisfied and they have asked the credit company to show the default  as satisfied in January and they say they can't remove it?

[dx100uk]

jan when?

[Munirs]

Jan 2020

[dx100uk]

18 hours ago, dx100uk said:

no the governing authority over credit files ...the Information Commissioners Office 

and again it doesn't say the default must be removed after 6yrs, it states ALL REFERENCES to a defaulted debt , i'e the WHOLE account must be removed.

 

it should not be showing, so it matters not if they default it again...it's GONE.from your file

 

so as above.

they cant default a file when it should not even be showing.

 

WRITe to SW give them 14 days to removed the file else you will be complaining to the ICO and Ofgen and seeking Financial Compensation 

 

 

[Munirs]

Spoke to the Southern customer service via twitter, and they said  they can't remove the default and it will stay there on the file for 6 years. There is nothing they can do. However they said it will show up as satisfied.  Problem is on the main page it shows a default and you need to drill down and go  a specific page before you see the words satisfied and also even though it is marked as satisfied, it had an impact on my credit as the rating has gone down.  There is this feeling of corporate wall in front of me!