Sim Only Default is Ruining My Life

[Anonymous]

I have recently begun the process of buying a house with my partner and whilst checking my credit I found out I had a default against me for £22.14.

I understand that the telecommunications companies are not contractually obliged to tell their customers they are about to default but this minor sum that I could easily have afforded is now preventing me from moving on with my life.

I contacted o2 and they said they text me once, emailed me once and sent one letter. I obviously wouldn't have seen a text as I didn't have a mobile phone, I went through my emails and couldn't find any evidence of that and maybe I received a letter a year ago, I have no idea at this point.

I liked o2, I was with them for a number of years and even worked there for a while but this default has felt like a slap in the face.

Is there anyway this can be solved. I've paid the money to debt company and am feeling like this punishment for a small mistake is grossly over the top.

Please help me. My account was 1021361409

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

Google o2 credit referrals team and contact them.
You can also put a note of correction on your own credit file if you contact equifax.

[Cleoriff]

CreditFileReferrals@o2.com 

I think this is what the OP needs @MI5?

[MI5]

Yeah that's it.
There is also am address to write in to.

[jonsie]

The problem is that the default was correctly applied so adding a note will be inconsequential until the debt is cleared . 

[jonsie]

Reading again I see the debt has been settled so a correction notice may help. 

[Wa10]

Sadly if the default was recorded correctly then there's probably little to be gained by speaking to the referrals team, as O2 are under an obligation to report accurate data as a condition of expecting accurate data in return when making credit decisions.

Probably much more important is to get yourself a decent mortgage broker, and be totally up-front and honest about the issue. I know from personal experience that negative credit information isn't necessarily a barrier to lending, you just need to apply to the right people in the right way.

A notice of correction explaining any extenuating circumstances probably wouldn't hurt, but just be conscious of the fact this may mean that other credit applications are delayed slightly as most will be reviewed manually rather than being approved/declined automatically using scoring alone.

Of course, if the default is reported in error then absolutely speak to CS or contact the referrals team using the details provided by the guys above.

Good luck with it all!  

[MI5]

As the debt has now been settled a notice of correction is essential.
It may not help with every lender but it will with some.

[Curr946]

Why didn't you leave the direct debit in place to pay the final bill. This would have avoided this whole situation.

[jonsie]

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@Curr946 wrote:
Why didn't you leave the direct debit in place to pay the final bill. This would have avoided this whole situation.

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Hindsight is a wonderful thing which is why we always advise leaving the Direct debit in place until after the final bill but o2 never explain this to customers when closing an account.