Paid of debt, now can't get a clear answer out of o2

[Anonymous]

I recently missed a few payments this summer due to unemployment and my outstanding debt was sent to buchanan clark & wells. I'm now employed and today I paid off the debt but I've ran into some problems with o2. 

1. I contacted o2 twice on live chat and both advisors told me that once I had paid off my outstanding debt, I could take out a new phone contract and get a new phone. 

2. I phoned o2 today once I had paid off the debt and they said that I won't be able to take out a new contract with them. 

Now, clark & wells told me they are going to contact o2 to say that I've paid the debt off and o2 have told me that they've not recieved this confirmation yet.  

Has anybody else went through something similar? Do you think I'll be able to take out a contract once they've recieved confirmation? 

Or am I totally screwed and not able to take out a contract phone ever again? 

cheers

[MI5]

The problem will be that there is now a default on your credit file which will show up in searches. The computer will reject or flag any applications for credit based on this so will have to go through the credit referrals team for a final decision.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

The default will stay there for 6 years even tho you've paid off the debt.

You could try again in a few weeks.

Check with the likes of Experian that you dint have anything else on your credit file.

[Anonymous]

I thought this would be removed from my credit file since I've now paid it?

I've been with o2 for years and it seems unfair that this is all messed up over a couple months unemployment.

So even if i'm debt free now, they still hold it against me?

[Anonymous]

No I'm afraid not.

It stays their for 6 years.

[Anonymous]

Yeah I've applied for a free trail with Experian however I know that there's nothing else on it. Does this mean that for the next 6 years I won't be able to take out a contract phone? 

[Anonymous]

Not necessarily.

It's up to the network to give you a contract or not.

They may ask for a sizeable deposit which is returnable normally after paying 3 months of the bill Without issue. However it's up to the network to offer that.

[MI5]

Not necessarily, as I said any applications will be referred until the default clears in 6 years time.
This applies to any application for credit, not just O2 or mobile phones.

[Anonymous]

To add the trial with Experian is only free for a certain period. Remember to cancel it before payments start for the service.

[Anonymous]

Oh right that's understandable. I'm going to call them at the end of the week to see if they've had confirmation yet so I'll mention about a deposit.

urgh, feels like i'm being punished for being unemployed and going through a rough patch