Bankruptcy badly affects your credit record for six years.
This article looks at what should show on your credit record after you are discharged from bankruptcy. For almost everyone, discharge happens after a year.
But if lenders don’t record bankruptcy and your discharge correctly, they will continue to damage your credit record for longer than they should.
Even if you never want to get into debt again, a good credit score makes it easier to rent a house or get insurance – and it’s essential if you want a mortgage. So making sure the bankruptcy and your discharge is reflected correctly will help you.
Contents
The best time to start
There is no hurry to do this, Your credit score isn’t going to get back to good for years…
Lenders take time to change your credit records, so let them have a few months after your discharge. At least three months I suggest.
If you start this too early, it just means more work for you as you will be tackling some “problems” that the lenders would have sorted out themselves.
First check your credit records
There are three different Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs) in Britain. You need to look at all three of them as many lenders only report to one CRA.
Get the Statutory Reports from each of the three CRAs, there is no charge for this, see How to check your credit records for free.
Even if you can get other reports for free, the Statutory Reports are best:
- they are simple
- they can easily be downloaded
- they are “real-time” so you get a current picture of your credit record.
How bankruptcy should be recorded
The key document from SCOR/ICO
The Steering Committee on Reciprocity (SCOR) is the creditor body that decides how credit records should be updated. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) published Principles for the Reporting of Arrears, Arrangements and Defaults at Credit Reference Agencies in July 2016.
This includes details of what should happen when you go bankrupt and when you are discharged from bankruptcy. Here I call it the SCOR/ICO paper for short.
Check your debts have the right default date
Bankruptcy will be shown in the Public Record section of your credit record. It can sometimes take a few weeks for the entry to appear, but when it does, the date on it will be the date your bankruptcy started.
What should happen:
- an unsecured debt – credit cards, loans, overdrafts etc – should be marked as defaulted with a default date which is your bankruptcy start date.
- there will be no change for any unsecured debts which have already been marked as defaulted.
The end result of this is that all debts in your bankruptcy should be marked as defaulted on or before your bankruptcy.
Secured debts such as mortgages
The situation with a mortgage (or a secured loan or car finance) is slightly more complicated.
If you carry on paying your mortgage after going bankrupt and there are no arrears a default should not be recorded.
When you had stopped paying the mortgage before bankruptcy or when you go bankrupt, a default should be recorded with the bankruptcy start date. This is stated in the SCOR/ICO paper which says:
“The default date must be consistent with that of the CCJ/bankruptcy or IVA; therefore a default should be filed as being no later than the date of the insolvency order. [page 7]”
When you are discharged
The Insolvency Service will notify the CRAs who will add your discharge to the Public Record section. This doesn’t remove the bankruptcy marker which will stay for the rest of the 6 years.
This is what the SCOR/ICO paper says should happen:
Your record should be closed and marked as partially settled if…. your account is included in an insolvency such as a bankruptcy or IVA which is discharged/completed and less than the full amount is paid. [page 8].
So all the balances on the bankruptcy debts should be shown as zero.
There are two exceptions. CCJs cannot be marked as partially settled and will continue to show a balance even though you no longer owe any money. And if you have been paying a secured debt such as a mortgage, that will continue to show as up to date.
Six years after you went bankrupt
Everything should vanish and your credit rating will improve significantly!
The bankruptcy marker will drop off your credit record. And all the debts in your bankruptcy will drop off if they had a default date on or before your bankruptcy, as they should have had. CCJs also drop off after 6 years.
The only reason why a debt in your bankruptcy doesn’t drop off when the bankruptcy goes is if the default date isn’t right.
Correcting problems
1) Creditor doesn’t use the right default date
Ask the creditor to correct the record. Don’t complain to Experian, Equifax etc about this – they only report what the creditors tell them.
Don’t do this on the phone – you may be talking to staff who don’t understand what you are saying. Instead complain to the creditor in writing – email is best as you keep a record of it. Put COMPLAINT ABOUT CREDIT RECORD as the subject.
For all debts except for mortgage shortfalls, use this template:
I went bankrupt on dd/mm/yyyy. I attach a copy of my Bankruptcy Order.
I am writing to ask you to correct my credit file for the above debt. At the moment [there is no default date shown / the default date is shown as dd/mm/yyyy]. This is incorrect as there should be a default date not later than the start date of my bankruptcy. See the SCOR/ICO 2016 guidelines which say “The default date must be consistent with that of the CCJ/bankruptcy or IVA; therefore a default should be filed as being no later than the date of the insolvency order”.
Recording incorrect information on my credit record is also a breach of the Data Protection Act 1998. There should be a default date not later than the start date of my bankruptcy.
Please correct this entry within 28 days or supply me with a written reason why you will not do so.
Recheck your credit file after say six weeks. If it has not been corrected, put in a complaint either to the Financial Ombudsman (for consumer credit, mortgages and any insurance debts) or to the ICO (for other debts). Attach copies of your email or letter to the creditor and any reply from the creditor.
2) Problems with mortgage debts
For some reason, mortgage debts can cause problems. Some lenders say that mortgage debts are not included in bankruptcy. That is not correct.
The Financial Ombudsman has explained the facts in this case against Platform:
To clarify, the Insolvency Act covers secured as well as unsecured debts. The main difference being that most unsecured debts will be written-off as there’s no asset the creditor can take into possession to recover the debt. With a mortgage (or indeed a loan secured against any asset, such as a car for example) the lender can repossess the item the loan was secured against – in this case a property – to repay some, or all, of the debt. This doesn’t mean secured debts don’t fall within the Insolvency Act, just that the lender has an additional level of security as there is an item it can take possession of so it doesn’t just write-off the debt. This is the difference between the right to enforce its security over a property, and the right to require a borrower to repay the debt.
And the same applies if you no longer live there but your ex does and is still paying the mortgage. Here is a case against Santander.
In this case, Santander told Miss K incorrect information:
In its final response letter, Santander said as the mortgage is a secured debt it wasn’t included in the bankruptcy and Miss K remains jointly and severally liable for it. And so it said it would continue to report this to her credit file.
The Ombudsman explained this was wrong and said:
Santander should update Miss K’s credit file to show the account defaulted at the date of her bankruptcy and the debt as partially satisfied on the date of her discharge with no entries after this. I said it should pay £250 for the upset and inconvenience this had caused Miss K.
Some lenders say they can only record a default when a house has been repossessed. That is also wrong. the default should not be later than the date of your bankruptcy if you weren’t paying the mortgage.
Use the above template to complain to your lender but add an extra sentence in referring to the Platform decision:
“As the Financial Ombudsman says in https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN2624267.pdf, secured debts such as mortgages are included in bankruptcy. I have not made any payments to this mortgage since the date of my bankruptcy and a default should be added with the date of my bankruptcy.”
3) Debt not marked as satisfied after discharge
The creditor doesn’t have to mark the debt as fully settled/satisfied. So there is no point in complaining if the debt has been marked as partially settled/satisfied.
But if your debts are still showing as having a balance owing, this needs to be sorted,
You can get a Certificate of Discharge from the court where you went bankrupt (this costs £70 and £10 for additional copies) however many lenders will accept a copy of the free letter from the Official Receiver that you may have received. Then send the following letter to the creditor:
I [went bankrupt at xxxxx County Court / had my bankruptcy approved] on dd/mm/yyyy. I was discharged on dd/mm/yyyy. I attach a copy of my [Certificate of Discharge/letter of discharge].
I am writing to ask you to correct my credit file for the above debt. The SCOR/ICO guidelines state that my credit file should show the debt was partially settled on the date of my discharge.
Please correct this entry within 28 days or supply me with a written reason why you will not do so.
Again, complain to the Financial Ombudsman or ICO as above if the entry is not corrected.
NB There is one exception here. There is no ‘partially settled’ status for a CCJ and the court only has to mark a CCJ as satisfied if you have paid it in full, which you haven’t. So any CCJs will continue to show as unsatisfied.
Is it worth doing this?
It is definitely worth correcting the dates of default unless they are just a few weeks late. If these are months late, this delays the time until your credit file is clean as these defaults will still remain after your bankruptcy marker has gone.
Marking your debts as satisfied after discharge is less important. Even if you get this amended, applications for credit, a normal bank account or a mortgage may well be refused whilst bankruptcy is still on your credit file. If you are close to the six-year drop-off, then you could decide to wait and let that clean everything up.
However, getting a debt marked as satisfied will improve your credit rating slightly, which may be enough for you to be approved for a ‘bad credit’ card, see below. It also prevents the debt being ‘sold on’ to another Debt Collector, which is annoying as you have to correspond with yet another person and send them details of your bankruptcy.
Getting positive markers on your credit file
In addition to cleaning out the bad stuff from your credit history, you want to get new, positive credit marks after you are discharged. First make sure you are on the electoral roll, that your address etc are correct on your record, that your bankruptcy discharge is shown and start the clean-up process above. This may take several months to complete if you have to go to the ICO.
Then you have two options.
Get a “bad credit card”
You can apply for a bad credit card such as Vanquis, Aqua or Luma. If you are refused, double-check your credit file really is clean with all three credit reference agencies and wait six months or so, then apply to a different card.
This sort of credit card is dangerous. They are aimed at people with very bad credit and they charge a very high rate of interest. This doesn’t matter if you use the card every month and repay it in full every month, so you never pay interest.
Your credit rating will not improve faster if you leave a balance on this card and pay interest. The best thing for your credit rating is to repay it in full each month.
If you find your balance is creeping up because you are not clearing it in full, stop spending on the card until it is cleared and have a re-think about budgeting.
Start saving with LOQBOX
This is a product where you make regular savings for 12 months but it is set up as a loan. So making the savings shows as loan repayment, improving your credit record. At the end of 12 months you have a nest egg saved up that you can withdraw and a credit score that is starting to improve. See How does LOQBOX work for details.
This all takes time
If you were expecting discharge from bankruptcy to make an immediate improvement to your credit score, it usually doesn’t… There isn’t a way to speed this up. while the bankruptcy marker and the defaulted debts in the bankruptcy are still on your credit record, your credit score is never going to get to Fair.
The template letters to your creditors here are very likely to work. If they don’t, putting in a complaint to the Ombudsman or ICO is the best way to repair your credit.
Never pay any firms offering a ‘repair your credit’ service because either they don’t work at all or will be no better than doing what is described here.
This article is kept updated.
How to use a credit builder card
Can’t pay your bills & debts?
How does discharge from bankruptcy work?
allan says
I was discharged from my bankruptcy in November 2014, I have a mobile phone contract and this is my only line of credit. Payments are mad regular and on time and my poor financial situation was a result of youth and nievity. I am now older and wiser and earn a decent wage. I want to improve my credit score in every way I can over the next few years while I save for a deposit. What are the best ways to do this while minimising risk of making things worse, I have looked into the purposely designed credit cards for people like me but according to money saving experts calculator there is only a 10% chance I will be accepted, I know that a no impedes scores. What is the best way for me to start correcting these things.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Allan, do what it says in this article! Check default dates and whether all debts are marked as settled. As soon as they are apply for Vanquis or similar. If refused, wait 3 months and apply for another. This will be a slow process but so is saving a good deposit.
Liam says
I was in the exact same position and applied for an aqua card which stated 10% chance of being accepted. I was accepted for the highest interest credit card they had with a balance of only £100. I put £60 a month and cleared each month. Since doing so Aqua increased my credit limit to £500 then £1500 and have recently increased to £2750. I continue to pay balance in full each month and my credit rating is slowly improving
Janet says
Hi I was made bankrupt in 2010 and moved home 3 years ago, I recently got a copy of my credit file and noticed I have a ccj issued in 2014 for debt which was included in my bankruptcy, I sent a copy of the bankruptcy paperwork to the court to get the ccj taken off but they said it still stand, how can they do this??? Please help
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Janet, I’m not sure if you just sent details of your bankruptcy – you need to apply to set aside the CCJ. I suggest you contact National Debtline 0808 808 4000 who will be able to talk you through what to do.
Blodwyn says
Good afternoon. I went Bankrupt on 13/03/09. Discharged one year later. I’ve tried to clean up my credit files and most creditors have dropped of my files now. Except HSBC. They have marked the default at 05/05/09 and a satisfied date of 13/03/10. Does that mean I have to wait until 13/03/16 for my credit file to be completely clean? I thought it would have been 6 years since bankcrupty, not seven years ( six years since discharge). Many thanks.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
hi Blodywn. It sounds as though the satisfied date is correct. The default date should be 13/03/09 not 05/05/09. It is the default date that matters most as the record will drop off six years after than, not 6 years after the satisfied date. So the HSBC debt should be dropping off in the next week or two :)
Joanne says
Both myself and husband went bankrupt in 2010 and were discharged after 12 months. I didn’t know at the time that I needed to get a certificate for my bank (Barclays) to file. They are asking me for it so they can upgrade our bank account as we still only have the basic account with no online banking allowed and they won’t allow us to upgrade without our discharge certificates. Is it too late now to get our certificates from the court?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Joanne, I don’t think there is any time limit on getting certificates – you need to get them from the County Court where you went bankrupt. I’ve just checked on the fees and they are still £70.
Gary C says
I’m a little confused should accounts included in the bankruptcy drop off the CRF at the same time as the bankruptcy? My accounts are marked as default on the day of bankruptcy and settled on day of discharge. Does this mean credit information will drop off 6 years post bankruptcy or 6 years post discharge as I thought CRA records remain for 6 years from last entry? If so surely I’m being negatively affected beyond the effect of the bankruptcy as that drops off 6 years from the date of bankruptcy not discharge.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
CRA records drop off 6 years after a default, no matter what entries there are after that. So they will go at the same time as your bankruptcy :)
maggie says
Hi I was Bankrupt sept 2011 and discharged year later 2012 when will my bankruptcy come off my file? as i was told its 6yrs from the date i have been bankrupt? is this correct?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
yes, it will be Sept 2017.
Tracy says
Hi my bankruptcy has ended in January 2015 I want to open a bank account what do I need to do?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Tracy, as you have been discharged, you should be able to open a “basic bank account” with most banks. There is a list here https://debtcamel.co.uk/bank-accounts-after-bankruptcy/.
sam says
Hi there,
Me and my partner have saved a 12k for a deposit.I was discharged in Sept 2011 and we passed the credit rating for the mortgage, however no lender will give us the go ahead. I have been building my credit rating but no joy. How long does it take for this to be taken into less account etc, or is there anywhere else we can go like specialist mortgage companies.
Thanks in advance
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Sam, your credit rating will improve a lot 6 years from the start of your bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is a major problem in getting a mortgage (as are an IVA or a Debt Relief Order) see https://debtcamel.co.uk/mortgage-with-debts/. I think going to a bad credit mortgage broker is probably your best bet.
als says
Hi,unfortunately had to go BR in june 2009 and discharged dec 2009. The house repos as mortgage included inBR. Everything associated with my BR dropped off my credit file in june this year except for the creditor for my mortgage Hsbc. They show my file as being in arrears july to dec 2009, satisfactory jan and feb 2010 and arrears march and then settled april 2010. I have contacted Hsbc numerous times asking them to update my files correctly as i believe the settled date should have been my bankruptcy date as the house was repossesed in june 2009 also. I have read this site and also spoke to the OR who seems to think i am right and Hsbc are being difficult. Can anyone advise me if this information is correct and how can i pit it right. Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Als, as this article says. things aren’t as clear cut with mortgages. Basically because you could have carried on paying the mortgage for many years after you go bankrupt – but you clearly didn’t! If your mortgage was showing as “in arrears” in July 09, I assume you had stopped paying the mortgage at this point? If so, then default date should be the date of your bankruptcy ie June 09.
I suggest you write to HSBC as per the letter in this article, asking them to correct the default date for the mortgage – it doesn’t really matter what the settled date is if they get the default date correct. Add to the template letter that you have discussed this with your Official Receiver who agrees this is correct.
If HSBC do not correct it, then complain to the Financial Ombudsman. (The FO as the ICO seems to make some odd decisions about mortgages!)
als says
Hi Sara,thanks for your reply. The main reason for the BR was the mortgage. Anyway,Hsbc seem to be passing the book,their resolution centre seems to be pushing to get a satisfactory answer for me. Ive written to their data controller already using the template letter and sent it recorded. No reply as yet though! Also i contacted the F O S who have lodged a complaint to them on my behalf. It is not actually showing as a default on my files, as i wrote earlier it is showing july to dec 2009 arrears,,jan and feb 2010 satisfactory then arrears march 2010 and satisfied april 2010. Dont know where they get this information but just wanted your advice to see if im going in the right direction by what i have done so far. Thankyou for your help and will keep you informed
Rachel says
Hi there,
I was made bankrupt in March 2009 and was discharged in December 2009. Does the 6 year clearing period start from the start or end of my bankruptcy i.e. March 2015 or December 2015? I need to learn what to do in order to check my credit record and make sure this as happened/happens in December. Thanks.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Rachel, as this article says, the 6 year period starts at the beginning of your bankruptcy, so bankruptcy and all the debts included in it should already have dropped off your credit record.
Rachel says
Hi Sara, thanks for the quick reply and saving me have to scan through all the info and comments. It’s difficult to know how to start checking everything has been cleared and what you need to do/how to do it for those that haven’t but your site and people’s comments have given me some light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel. I’m in a position to set up a community interest company with a colleague and am really worried that my past credit history will stop this happening. I now have a little hope. Just got to work out how to start checking things have cleared!!
Mary says
I see this question has been answered. Might be an idea to sign up to noddle to see what info is held about you. Its free and holds info on all 3 credit reference agencies . When i went bankrupt i assumed defaulted accounts would automatically fall in line with the bankruptcy order date but some creditors will default the account up to a year after your bankruptcy. Although the bankruptcy might have fallen off already you could still have defaulted accounts that were included in your bankruptcy still active . This is a great site to get advice with this but best check out your credit file first and see what dates the defaults are listed . Good luck
Rachel says
Hi Mary, thanks for this info, it sounds really useful. I’ve felt a bit lost about (and daunted by) where to start checking what has cleared and if anything remains how to sort it so this looks like a good starting point. Much appreciated.
Mary says
Ahh Rachel
That is no problem at all . I know what it is like . I found out by accident about the defaulted accounts . I assume they would have automatically set the dates to the bankruptcy order date but they didn’t . Anything that was included with the bankruptcy has to be defaulted to that date on your credit file and not after . My mortgage company are refusing to backdate it because they said the loan was secured but im still fighting it . Im sure you are delighted to be bankruptcy free now :) mine is off in November this year. Good luck and if i can help in anyway just let me know
Jon says
Hello,
I was wondering if you can clarify a point for me please.
I was made bankrupt 22/12/2009 and at the time I had a mortgage which had defaulted on occasions but I continued to pay it after the BR was implemented. The IP forced the sale of the property in 2013 and enough monies was recovered to pay off the mortgage in full and more.
I have noticed that on my file with Equifax a company who I didn’t recognise (Jerrold Holdings) as my mortgage company, which was Cheshire Mortgage Corporation have marked my account AP from Oct 2010 and the settled in Sept 2013.
I was under the impression that this should be marked as default from the date of the BR (ICO Guidelines 2007) so that it drops off my account with the BR, esp as it was part of my BR.
Am I right? I have written to Equifax to clarify this matter,
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Jon, first Cheshire is a brand name of Jerrold Holdings so that is normal.
If you paid the mortgage in full every month after bankruptcy, I can’t see why an AP marker is appropriate. I suggest you write to Jerrold/Cheshire and ask them to remove the marker as there was no arrangement to pay in place OR substitute a default date of the date you went bankrupt. If they refuse, go to the ICO. there is no point in bothering with Equifax as they just report what they are told by the lender.
Lynsey Green says
Hi I’m hoping you can help me, so I was declared bankrupt in Nov 2009 due to a break up & us having joint debt, a few years ago I got credit expert & I was shocked to discover I had a CCJ against my name for debt that should have been cleared with the bankruptcy, I contacted experian & they told me to contact the debtor so i did but they said they needed proof of my bankruptcy, I spoke to someone at Official Receiver & she told me unfortunately it was one that “slipped through the net” my credit report is getting worse by the day even though I’m up to date with everything, there’s also some HSBC accounts that are still showing, surely everything should be up to date by now? It’s affecting me renting a property as they wont accept anyone with a CCJ, I declared myself bankrupt to end all Money troubles but just feel like nothing has been sorted… Help :) X
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Lynsey, if the CCJ was after your bankruptcy, then I think you may be able to get it “set aside” – contact National Debtline and they will explain how to do this.
Regarding the HSBC debts, if they have a default date after your bankruptcy, you can get this corrected following the steps in this article.
Lynsey Green says
Brill Thankyou :)
Gail says
I’m in exactly the same position,it’s horrendous:(
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Gail, you have replied to a very old comment and Lynsey may never see it. Have you had a CCJ after your bankruptcy?
stuart says
Hi I have a ccj listed as active.
I went bankrupt in may 2010 the ccj is from 3/3/2010. Will it remove itself from my file in march? Also ee still listed as default whereas all other lenders are all satisfied now and closed accounts
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Stuart, the CCJ will remove itself in March 2016 and there isn’t anything you can do to speed this up. The EE debt should have been marked as satisfied with a zero balance showing and this article says how to get it corrected – but if the 6 year default date is coming up soon (it should be on or before you went bankrupt) you may not think its worth bothering with.
JoCoz says
Hi
I went bankrupt 03.09.2003 discharged 1 year later. Lost my house before the bankruptcy, we handed over the keys voluntarily to the mortgage company. We also had a secured 2nd mortgage with Kensington Home Loans.
We named the debt with Kensington as part of the bankruptcy, on my credit report 9 years on from the Discharge, they’re still saying we have a amount of £42,000 but it’s not dropped off, just never reducing saying that we owe it each month as Satisfied. Does this mean that we have a debt of 42K making it look like we owe it, does it mean that they are going to try and get it back?
We are looking for a mortgage at some point in the next 3 years
Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi JoCoz, any mortgage or secured loan debts will have been included in your bankruptcy, so there is no way they can ask you to repay it. It should have been marked with a default date of your bankruptcy so write to them and ask them to do this – this is so long ago that when they do, it will immediately disappear from your credit record. If they don’t, go to the ICO as this article says. I would do this asap as it can take a while to resolve and you need this done pre a mortgage application.
JoCoz says
Thanks for your advice this is a big weight off my shoulders, I have been a bit worried as I have heard horror stories of sub-prime lenders requesting money back years later
Fi says
Hi Sara.
5 1/2 years ago I applied for bankruptcy as my ex husband (now) left me with a young child , maxed all credit cards and cleared the joint account.
It’s taken me a long time to get back on my feet.
I have been regularly monitoring my credit score and corrected any issues and disassociated myself from my ex on my credit file.
My issue is I’m struggling to increase my score especially when all the debit history has nearly left my report minus one that leave this May and the bankruptcy I assume leaves my report in Aug (filed for bankruptcy 22 Aug 2010 and early discharged on March 2011).
In the meantime I have a mobile contract, NEXT Plc account and a ‘bad credit’ credit card. Yet my score isn’t going anywhere. I’ve even lowered the credit limit on my NEXT account as I read you can be seen as a risk with too much available credit.
I think the issue is I use my credit card for eg petrol/food only. Then pay it off in full when the statement comes.
Is this the right thing to do? As I have been reading you shouldn’t pay it off in full as lenders like to make money out of you, and it looks good on your report. Therefore I should pay the minimum and spread the payment over 2-3months? And they make money on my high interest?! But I feel I will be chasing my tail and I could fall into debit.
I’m quite strict with money. If I use my credit card I transfer money from the current account to the savings so the money is there for the credit card statement.
Also I’m totally confused on how much credit utilisation I should use monthly. Some say 15% others say 20 or even 50%. What would you suggest to do to improve my score? Does the score know how much you owe when you buy a new iPhone mobile contract? As in does it count as a loan? You pay half tariff and half the phone you picked?
It’s a very difficult game to play :(
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Fi, it is a difficult game but honestly you seem to be doing all the right things!
It is MUCH better to pay off your credit card in full. Paying tons of interest is very unlikely to help your credit score.
There is no magic credit utilisation figure. It is good to keep it under 50%. If you are applying for a mortgage and have masses of spare credit, i would chop it right back, but from the accounts you have listed that seems unlikely.
I would be expecting to see a bump upwards when the last default drops off in May and a bigger bump in August. Time is going to be the big healer here, but having done the right things means that when the bad ones disappear, your credit record will look really nice, not just empty.
Mary says
Hi there . I filed for bankruptcy in 2009 which dropped off in Nov last year. I have 1 default that I’m currently disputing. 1 default is detrimental to your score no matter how good your payment are with everything else . I have a high interest loan and small loans all paid up to date and great standing with both debit card current accounts but the 1 default really has an impact. Experian also massively changed how they calculate your score. When my bankruptcy was on my file and a few defaults it was 968 but that recently changed and im scored at 534. I also discovered that the 3 main credit reference agencies hold different information . I got 30 days free with equifax and they hadn’t registered my new address on the electrol role. They had me not registered for months they also hadn’t updated my file to reflect other defaults had fallen off. Noddle had my bankruptcy as active for the full 6 years even though I was discharged. They are also known as call credit. You should sign up to all 3 agencies to make sure everything is updated as different lender’s use different credit agencies so you might find accounts registered with equifax and not with experian. It’s so frustrating. 1 default on my file may as well be 10 . Hope this helps
Annmarie Tunstill says
Hi Sarah, I declared bankruptcy Sep 2009 and discharged within a year. All debts have cleared and so has my bankruptcy except for Creation Finance who were the lenders backing Land of Leather, where I had been for a sofa which was only about £850. I got overwelled after this loan and couldn’t cancel. I included Land of Leather in the bankruptcy which was after a year due to a offer. Creation finance sent me a statement in November saying that this wasn’t a request for money. They send one every year still. Insolvency were supposed to sort it but Creation just seem to have ignored them and just put on every statement in bold not a request for money. But what bothers me is that they have been increasing the debt every year and now it says I owe just over £1.600.
Now I raised a dispute with noddle and told them that it had been over 6years and should not be in my credit file. They raised it with creation who refuse to remove it. I feel that they are using a bulling tactics to scare me into paying the debt to stop the credit rating being affected and the debt rising. Is this legal and why are they getting away using what I can only imagine are loopholes in the system.
specialgirl09 says
Maybe the confusion is Land of Leather & Creation Finance. I would check to see exactly what is on all 3 reports i.e. Experian, Equiax& Call Credit as their info varies. I had exactly the same thing with Barclays Bank & Barclaycard. Barclays defaulted debt on same day as Bankruptcy whilst Barclaycard put a default on nearly two years later. When I pointed this out they removed it. Also any account put into Bankruptcy should be marked as satisfied/partially satisfied/settled/partially settled etc they cannot keep on adding interest.
It might be worth writing/emailing the Credit Report Co as most of them will liase with the Company for you over debts that should have been removed
Hope this helps
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Annmarie,
you need to write Creation Finance a combination of letters (1) and (2) in this article, asking them to add a default date to your credit file that is the date of your bankruptcy AND to set the balance owed to zero on your credit file AND to set the balance on their internal system to zero too so they stop sending you letters once a year.
If they don’t do that, then write to the ICO as this article says.
X1 says
I’ve been discharged, but can’t get accepted for anything. My credit file is clean, apart from CCJ. I have slightly above average income, no kids etc. Is the fact I owed Cap 1, Aqua & Vanquis money going to kill any chance of me getting a bad credit card?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It certainly isn’t going to help. I suggest stepping back and waiting for a year or so before making another application.
X1 says
Thanks – guess I expected that really. I was hoping to start the rebuilding sooner, especially as am potentially eligible for a mortgage once discharged 36+ months for subprime lenders.
Guess the good current account conduct on it’s own will have to do for now!
I’ve got a accounts which weren’t defaulted even though others at the same bank were (e.g. Halifax Easycash was nil, Reward a/c was overdrawn so has been defaulted & settled). Easycash etc has been left open and are still reporting 0’s (with open dates of like 2011/2012 etc). Assuming it’s in my interests for my credit file to just leave them alone until the bank for them out? As they’ve not been used for so long, they’re registered at my previous addresses – that’s my only concern re: Fraud scoring etc??
James says
Hi Sara,
I was discharged from bankruptcy last week and applied online for a Nationwide Basic Flex account which was accepted. I called them today and they confirmed that the account was now open and that I still had a cc account open with them (showing the original amount of debt at the time of my BO). I was surprised to find out that I could still log-in online which shows my new Flex account and the CC account but not a loan which was also included in the BO.
My question is: if I now have my wages paid into this new account can they take the money from it to pay the cc account? I know that on discharge the debt is written off but if they still have it showing as active what can/should I do?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi James, they shouldn’t try to take money from your new account. I would be very surprised if they do, but I can understand you feeling nervous as it would be pretty stressful to get it sorted. I suggest phoning them and asking why your old account is still open with a balance showing (this may be because your bankruptcy has only just ended).
James says
Thank you.
Earlier today I requested a copy of my Experian credit report to start the repair process where necessary.
I’ll give NW a call as you suggest and maybe just use the account for small transactions until the CC account is closed.
Kelly says
I went bankrupt in March 2010 it was discharged March 2011 does this mean this month it will drop of my credit file
Sara (Debt Camel) says
yes :)
Darren says
Hi Sarah
I have waited 6 years following a bankruptcy and repossession and sure enough, it has disappeared from equifax and experian but the Nationwide mortgage on call credit remains on my report as satisfied in 2012 -when the house was sold not on the date of my bankruptcy March 2010. My credit rating is excellent with the main 2 but v poor with call credit.
Can they keep on reporting for another 2 years or should they remove it like the other 2 agencies?
Kind regards
Darren
Sara (Debt Camel) says
If the other two CRAs have corrected their records, this sounds like an error by Call Credit not Nationwide. Ask CC to correct it!
Richard says
I just wanted to say thankyou to debt camel for the invaluable, accurate and helpful information. I found you via a google search and I am glad I did.
In 2009 I went bankrupt. At the time I had a mortgage on a Buy to Let property with TMB ( The Mortgage Business ) . This was included in my bankruptcy but I managed to maintain payments on it for a few months after bankruptcy. Eventually TMB decided to repossess the property and the case took to 2012 to finalise. Nearly 3 YEARS after the original bankruptcy.
On checking my credit file recently I became aware the although my original bankruptcy had now dropped off my credit file, the TMB repossession was showing as 2012. This would have meant my credit file would be damaged for a further three years.
I found debt camel and used the template letters in this article and sent them to TMB. Within 4 weeks TMB have removed the repossession from my ccredit file !!
Thanks debt camel for the information and thanks TMB for following the rules so quickly.
X1 says
Glad to hear yours are sorted Richard! :)
I’ve got similar with GMAC. I actually defaulted (well last payment) long before bankruptcy (approx 7 months). Car was actually written off (that#s why I stopped paying for it!).
They defaulted me 4 months AFTER bankruptcy, and are still adamant I owe £5,000. Despite numerous emails with their customer service, I’ve finally got a final response from them that they are right etc. Now waiting for the ICO to come down on them like a tonne of bricks with any luck!
linda says
me and my partner petitioned for bankruptcy 9 july 2010 should it be wiped clear july 2016. and today my partner has recieved a letter from creations consumer finance one of the companys in the bankruptcy saying annual statment and that its not a request for payment first one ever after all these years,will we keep getting them even after the 6 years is up? thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Linda, yes your bankruptcy should disappear in July this year. So should the debts that were in it if their default dates were all on or before your bankruptcy.
You shouldn’t still be getting statements from creditors, even if they aren’t asking for money because the balance on your account should be ZERO. Write to them and tell them this.
Alic says
Hi,
Was made bankrupt on the 21st May 2010 and luckily i managed to keep my mobile phone contract and my Natwest Advantage Gold account running throughout my Bankruptcy. I was discharged on the 21st May 2011 and have since got a Vanquis credit card and a reasonable car loan.
Mainly due to my long standing bank account, O2 phone and BT bills i have an average credit account age of 62 months which is obviously working in my favour and my banding with Equifax, Experian and Noddle is right on the border of poor to average.
When i first applied to Experian for my free trial my first report on a weekend did not pick up my bankruptcy and came in at a rating of 962, on the Monday morning the bankruptcy was obviously picked up and then it dropped to the levels it is at now.
Basically my question is with a decent credit history, a decent credit card limit with average 40% utilisation paid off in full every month can i expect an instant increase to that 962 level when the bankruptcy drops off my report, i have no defaulted accounts left or any bad history on my account except the bankruptcy, they have all dropped off already.
Final question is does the bankruptcy drops off the report exactly on the 6 year anniversary so on the 21st May or will it be just roughly some point in May or even 1st June etc??
Any help would be much appreciated.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I would expect a large bump in your credit score. I think bankruptcy should go 6 years to the day.
Darren says
My experian and equifax credit rating went from poor to excellent on the day.
Call credit are being a bit awkward in still reporting satisfied on the day the house was sold (2 years later) but the new report is out in 3 days time so hopefully my disputes will be successful.
Good luck in May!
Alic says
Thanks for your help, I assumed it would go to the exact day and it’s good to know such a big jump is possible.
Thankfully my bankruptcy is my only negative factor with all three agencies, I have been lucky by the sounds of it, due to it being free I have been following my progress on TransUnion for years knowing they were the least accurate of the three and recently joined up to the other two just to make sure they are all in line as I approach the end.
Gemma says
Hello, am hoping someone might be able to clear something up for me that am a little unclear about, I was made bankrupt Nov 2014, looking at my credit file, my default on credit cards and loans only happened April 2015 after I stopped making payment in Feb 2015 when my banks account were closed, I made bankrupt without knowing about it.
So should I request that my default date is Nov 2014? Also my credit file show me still owning the money should these accounts now all be £0.00 ??
Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Yes the default date should be the date you were made bankrupt. And the debts should have been marked as settled or partially settled, with zero owing, on the date you were discharged.
Liz says
Hi i wondered if you could help me with a little confusion. me and my partner submitted for bankruptcy in july 2010 and we were discharged july 2011. so does this mean the bankruptcy will be removed from out credit file this year (2016) or next year(2017) as i have tried to find the answer but keep getting different answers. when we went to see a mortgage adviser they said it would be 2017.
Hope you can clarify this looking forward to your reply.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It’s 2016. You might try finding a mortgage broker who knows what they are talking about …
Liz says
That’s great many thanks for ur speedy response. ? ( it was a mortgage adviser in Scotland as me and my partner where looking at moving there ) thanks again
Sandy Charter says
Hello ,
I was made bankrupt in July 2010. I’ve spent the last few months making sure that in July 2016 my credit reports will be ‘clean’ as my six years will pass . The three credit agencies have been very helpful making this happen (mainly making sure the default dates are shown as July 2010). There is one exception – tesco bank on my experian report show my account as partially settled in 03/11 rather than defaulted 07/10 and refuse to change it . Tesco show the correct information (defaulted 07/10) with call credit and equifax. For some reason they do not report this to experien?
I have wrote twice to tesco (who have never replied) and experien have wrote to them on my behalf (they have replied to experien on two occasions to state this information is correct and will not show as defaulted 07/10) . Any ideas how I Can make tesco change this info to experien?
Very frustrating as July 2016 is quickly approaching and I want to start afresh! Many thanks ! Sandy
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Very annoying! I suggest you should write the letters shown in this article, first to Tesco’s data controller and then to the ICO if Tesco’s don’t correct the problem.
Gill says
I went bankrupt on 8/6/2010 so I am expecting this to be removed from my Experian credit report as it is 9/6/2016 but it is still there just says 72 months old
I am hoping to apply for a mortgage based on this no longer appearing on my file so how long after the 6 years is up does it take to for it to be removed?
many thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I suggest checking again in a week :)
Teri Horton says
Hi i went bankrupt in may 2011 and i have since had two comoanies come to me to tell.me theire debt was not included in the bankruptcy as the ccjs were awarded before i went bankrupt. Is this correct? I thought they were included in the br. Thank you
Sara (Debt Camel) says
They are wrong, you are right. Who are these two companies?
Teri Horton says
Thank you. One is shoosmiths on behalf of natwest and the other is cabolt? Acting for mbna/virgin ctedit cards. The latter one i only found by check noddle and wanted it remived or marked diff to default. My worry with shoosmiths last year i caved and agreed to pay them £1 a month as all i can afford but they have still told.me incorrect info in my defense. I have asked them to both write to me explaining why i am still liable so i can pass ti my case worker. I hope there is no more hiding anywhere. Thank you for your help
Jay says
Hello, I was made bankrupt in Feb 2009 and discharged in Feb 2010, I only had bank loan and credit cards no other loans of any type. I have recently applied to join police force and in application it asked if I was ever bankrupt and I stated yes. I have passed all the assessments and at final stage of vetting and have been asked by vetting department for a ‘certificate of satisfaction’ for my bankruptcy. I forwarded them copy of my certificate of discharge and worried that won’t be enough for them. I have looked for days on Internet regarding what they have asked for but unable to make sense of it as was told that all my debt from 2009 have been wiped clean on my credit file. Can you please advice me on how I can obtain a ‘certificate of satisfaction’ or if the certificate of discharge is good enough as its been over 7 years since it happened. Am I correct in thinking the discharge letter is adequate for them as the time period is over 7 years? Thank you
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I’ve never heard of a Certificate of Satisfaction – your discharge certificate should be fine – good luck!
Charlotte Jones says
My husband went bankrupt in Jan 2010 and when he recently applied for a bank loan they said no due to bankruptcy being on his file. Why is it still there and how do we get rid of it? We can’t see it on clearscore. But the bank saw it on their search. Any help is appreciated.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I suggest you should look at your records with all 3 credit reference agencies directly, Clearscore is just reporting on Equifax.
Also the bank he is applying to – did he have a debt to them included in his bankruptcy? Lenders will often check their own records as well as the public credit records.
timothy says
Hi,
I was repaying a Barclays bank loan with no problems, when the bank closed my account without notice (due to an overseas insolvency). They then allowed me to open a new account with them.
I had intended to continue paying the loan and only had 6 months left. This has obviously been marked as a default on my Credit Reports in the UK. Is there any point in me offering to repay the defaulted loan amount, even though the bank have written it off? or much contesting it? Not holding out a lot of hope.
Thanks
Tim.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
If you have gone bankrupt abroad, then I doubt there is anything you can do. It may even be breaking the terms of your bankruptcy to try to repay one creditor.
Alyson Younger says
I am in the process of cleaning up my credit file (declared bankrupt in 2011) So far I have managed with great success to amend most of the accounts to show the correct default dates etc. However, I have hit a brick wall with an old orange account which still shows as a default and with incorrect default dates. I contacted EE on several occasions and either get passed from pillar to post or different information, the last time I spoke with someone they said that it is nothing to do with them and they have no authority to amend my credit file as the debt is not with them but orange, but the contact details for old orange accounts is EE. Should I just go pass this to the ICO?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I suggest you first put in a formal complaint in writing.
Serena says
I had this problem. You need to email creditfilequery@ee.co.uk they replied to me each time in a couplebof days now a week after contacting them they have updated my credit file
Lovely says
Do all CCJs including an old one and fresh one you have payment plan with get wiped off in bankruptcy?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Yes they do.
Frank says
Hello Sara,
I was adjudged bankrupt in April 2011 and discharged April 2012. I had two TMB mortgage accounts included in the bankruptcy which were marked as defaulted on the date of the bankruptcy and the current status of these is still marked as”defaulted” with the CRAs, even though they are considered as partially settled as part of the bankruptcy. Is this current status correct or is it possible to have it amended to partially settled? By the way a great website, very straightforward and helpful.
Regards,
Frank.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
They should be showing as partially settled with zero owing. You should write the letter shown in (3) in the above article to get them to change this.
The record will disappear completely in April 2017, so not long to wait until your credit record is clean!
Mark says
Hi,
Would be grateful for any help. I was made bankrupt over 6 years ago and this has now dropped off my credit file but have a mortgage default still showing. The mortgage was named in the bankruptcy petition but I was allowed to keep my house, if I kept repayments. Sadly after 12months the property was repossessed. The shortfall after property was old, was covered by the bankruptcy order but the Lender is saying that as it was “secured” debt and I didnt default until after the bankruptcy, that it wont back date my default to the start of my bankruptcy order. Which is strange, is that the shortfall is included(as this is classed as unsecured debt but the original mortgage agreement itself is classed as “secured” and has its own default date?
Do the IOC comments above [paragraph 48] only relate to “unsecured” debt? Fnding it difficult to find any clear guidance on whether a mortgage included in a bankruptcy but defaulted afterwards, can be included/added in a bankruptcy order start date. many thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
The ICO quote applies to any debt. But as I say in this article, mortgage lenders can be difficult about this and sometimes complaining to the ICO doesn’t get a good result either – hence my suggestion in the article to complain not to the ICO but to the Financial Ombudsman.
Mark says
Hi Sara,
Many thanks for your reply. Appreciate it! Hope you dont mind me asking another question, linked to my first…..This mortgage was in joint names, Is there any reason why the Lender would only log the default only in one of our credit files and not the other? I understand with some joint mortgages, one person earns alot more than the other, so there is a “1st” applicant and a 2nd applicant…could it be anything to do with this or is a default normally log on both parties credit files? thank you again for your help
Mark says
Hi Sara,
Please can you help. I have been updating/cleaning my credit file and only have 5 and half years of current/previous uk addresses showing on my history because I cant included overseas addresses on my credit report. (I moved overseas for around a year) Do I use the last address before I moved abroad, so I have a complete history link to cover the full 6 years??? Been told not to leave gaps on my address history as might not see a complete credit history.
Appreciate any help…..kind regards
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Adding your previous address seems sensible. If all your debts are already showing on your credit record, it doesn’t really matter – it’s only important if there are older debts which might be lined up to you some time in the future.
Mark says
Thanks for your very fast reply Sara!;)
I was made bankrupt 6 and a half years ago, so adding that previous uk address before I moved aboard, would then cover the last 7 years and include the time of the bankruptcy order. As it’s over 6 years the bankruptcy would have dropped off my credit report but I’m guessing if I include that previous address, atleast it would allow me to check everything has gone? Is that correct?
thank you again,
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Well you can’t be absolutely sure nothing will ever reappear. There could have been a debt from 10 years ago and a previous address which could get sold a new debt collector who could find you… Of course the debt would be covered by your bankruptcy so you will be able to sort this out if it happens.
Mark says
Thanks Sara….you’ve been really helpful! Excellent website by the way!;)
Kind regards
Donna says
i went bankrupt 23/3/2012. i have recently checked my credit score as i need to move home. i still have halifax defaulting me every month since 2012 as it says i still owe £994 even though this was included in the bankruptcy.
i have spoken to them and have been told the account was closed 09/01/2012 and the default is automatically put on every month by the credit score agencies. i said the account is still showing open which they replied it is not on their end . what would you advise
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I think you should check all 3 credit reference agencies see https://debtcamel.co.uk/best-way-to-check-credit-score/
Then you will know the full extent of the problem and you should write the letter to Halifax that is given in the post above saying which CRAs are wrong and attaching a copy / screen shot to prove it.
Ian says
Hi I had an IVA in 2012 and subsequent bankruptcy after defaulting on the IVA, I am now discharged from bankruptcy and just discovered my IVA is still on my credit report as ‘active’. I discussed this with the IVA company who say it will stay ‘active’ until the 6 years are complete, even though this has been superseded by the bankruptcy and no longer ‘active’, I have a termination certificate.
So even if I apply to a vanquis type cc as a discharged bankrupt the ‘active’ status implies I’m still insolvent and will probably mean my application will be refused.
Is this correct?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It is correct the IVA will stay on your credit record for 6 years, but it should be marked as terminated, not active. If you send a copy of your termination certificate to each of the three credit reference agencies, they should correct this.
Sam says
Hi, I have just checked my credit file after being made bankrupt nearly 5 years ago and noticed I had 2 bankruptcy case numbers and 2 addresses recorded on my credit file but both have the same start and discharged date. I moved shortly after being made bankrupt and told the OR of the new address (I moved in with family until I could get back on my feet) Could this be the reason why there is 2 entries but with the same date/discharge?? thank you
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It’s an error – it may have been caused by your move but it shouldn’t have happened.
I’m not sure it is worth bothering about though if they both have the same date, they will both be disappearing in a year, and until them your record will be very poor even if you “have only gone bankrupt once”.
Sam says
Thank you. As you have mentioned, as the start date was the same on both, it might not be worth bothering to correct as both will disappear on same date anyway. My only concern was that the address recorded on the 2nd entry is a family member’s address, where I stayed for a short while after I went Bankrupt. Will this effect their address or is it just on the person?(me) Just wouldnt want it to negatively impact there address, especially when they were good enough to allow me to stay with them, to allow me time to get back on my feet. Many thanks again.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It won’t have any effect on your family member’s credit record :)
Sam says
Thank you Sara…seeing 2 bankruptcy entries at 2 different addresses, recorded on the same date came as a bit of a shock…thank you for putting my mind at rest. Kind regards
Sam says
Hi Sara,
Thanks again for all your help….Hope its ok to ask you one more question in connection with the the error on my credit report. As mentioned previously, I have found 2 bankruptcy case numbers on 2 different addresses showing on my credit file from when I went bankrupt 5years ago. I have only been made bankrupt once and Both records have the same bankruptcy start date and the same discharge date. I moved house shortly after bankruptcy and told the OR, so I think this is where the error comes from.
I understand that the bankruptcy stays on your credit file for 6 years but if I do apply for credit before the 6 years ends, will it look like I have 2 bankruptcies on my credit file or will Banks be able to tell from the start/discharge dates that it must only be one bankrupty? I didnt bother getting the error corrected as both records drop off automatically in the next 12months but was just alittle concerned, if I do apply for credit that it might incorrectly look like 2 different bankruptcies, even tho the start and discharge date are the same?
Would the 2nd entry complicate things more or is it clear to anyone that searches my credit report, that its the same bankrupcty?
Thank you again
Sara (Debt Camel) says
This is a really unusual situation and it’s hardto tell what a lender is likely to do. Any lender that has a human consider a credit application is likely to realise what has happened and thta it is just an error. But human’s don’t usually take these decision, not unless it is something like a mortgage, where even 1 bankruptcy will get you a decline anyway.
What a lender using an automated loan decision making process will decide is hard to tell because they won’t be used to looking for this as a specific case. If you have a very importnat credit application coming up in the next year, the safest thing would be to try to get one of the bankruptcies deleted from your file. But this is likely to be a mjor hassle and it could take you a long while… the other option is to shrug and not make any important credit applications until they have both disappeared.
Sam says
Thanks for your very quick reply! Just to make things even more strange…..I’ve just checked experian credit report and I’ve actually got 3 bankruptcy order entries….All with the same start date and all with the same discharge date. Two addresses, 3 entries and 2 different case numbers..but have only been made bankrupt once!
If there was an unsecured debt that was missed off from the original bankruptcy order and got added by the OR later, would that cause a new case number(entry) to be recorded or would it just fall into the original bankruptcy case number? As mentioned all drop off in 12months but all seems really strange….
thanks again for any replies
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Very odd! A debt being missed off can’t account for this, that is common and doesn’t cause problems (see https://debtcamel.co.uk/forgot-debt-bankruptcy/)
Sam says
Thanks again Sara……just been trying to look for any possible reason why there would be 2 case numbers on my credit file with the same start and discharge date.
Could the 2nd entry be for a BRO or BRU of some type? There is no reference to a BRO/BRU on my credit file, just a 2nd entry with a different case number (but same start and discharge date) My Bankruptcy 5 years ago was pretty straightforward and no added complications during bankruptcy period and wasnt told about any extended restrictions and the start date and discharge date being the same on both entries would seem to confirm that there wasnt any extended restrictions……but just wanted to ask if thats possible, if so, wouldnt the start/end date be different?
Just trying to look at every possible reason for the extra entries or likely just to be human reporting error?
Many thanks again, do appreciate all your help
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You would have known about a BRO/BRU and anyway that wouldn’t cause there to be two case numbers. My bet is human error somewhere along the line, it’s a quesyion of whether it’s worth the effort trying to sort it out. Why not call your OR and ask?
Sam says
thanks again Sara….appreciate your help!;)
Sam says
Hi Sara,
Just wanted to update you…..I spoke with the Insolvency department after your comments and they have confirmed that the 2nd case number on my credit file, doesnt even exist and they only have 1 case number recorded for me on their system. They advised me to speak with the credit ref agency and ask for it to be removed. The credit ref angency have told me they couldnt remove it without the insolvency department confirming it was an error so have raised a dispute and hopefully it will get sorted out. The frustrating thing is….the insolvency department say its not them and the credit ref agency say they only record the information they are given, so difficult to know where the problem lies…….
thanks again for your help
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I thought it might be a hassle to resolve – you will get it sorted in the end!
Sam says
Just had confirmation from credit ref agency. 2nd case number Entry was an error and is being removed!;)
thanks again for your help
Jane says
I due to separation applied for a DRO this year very stressful but the best help from stepchange
I’m having a problem with one of the creditors that two weeks ago sold my debt to a company Iv spoke to both companies and have sent my DRO I thought they weren’t allowed to do this very stressful
Sara (Debt Camel) says
A creditor is allowed to sell a debt that is in a DRO. But the debt collector isn’t allowed to chase you for repayment. And the debt will be still be wiped out at the end of your DRO year. It may feel stressful but it shouldn’t be a problem in practice for you.
matt says
Hi i was declared liquidated in 19th jan 2011 by the inland revenue to to none payment of income tax.Can you please tellme when this will drop off my credit report please.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Matt, do you mean the HMRC made you bankrupt? If so, the bankruptcy will drop off your credit record in Jan 2017. Look at the article above to check that all your other non-tax debts have been correctly marked as defaulted on or before your bankruptcy date, then they will drop off at the same time.
stephen says
Hi, i had a bankruptcy in oct 2004 and a dro in 2012 after a split. My bankruptcy still shows on my credit report which i checked this month. It was showing as having a bankruptcy but no details is this ment to stay on my report after all this time or can i request for it to be removed. My dro shows details so i take it this will stay on my report untill 2018. I have one credit card with 200 limit which i pay full off if i use it. I pay cash now for anything i need but i was hoping to apply for a mortgage but have been told i wont get one with those two on my credit score is this correct
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Your bankruptcy should have disappeared long ago! First check it’s not still showing on the Insolvency Service register https://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/eiir/. Assuming it has gone from there you need to check which of the three Credit Reference Agencies is still wrongly showing this (see https://debtcamel.co.uk/best-way-to-check-credit-score/) and ask them to correct this.
In practice you won’t be able to get a mortgage until the DRO has also disappeared in 2018. But it’s still good to resolve the bankruptcy issue now.
Julia says
Hi I only very recently got a debt relief order (approved on 10th jan). Not included was an open cap 1 card with no balance. Will this be shut down automatically ? If not should I shut it and go back to them in a few years or should I keep it open and not touch it or should I use it? I don’t want to get into any more debt.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
No it won’t be shut automatically. Cap One may shut it after a while due to inactivity. You shouldn’t use it whilst you are in a DRO. But at the end, if the record of that debt is good – no late payments or deafults – then you could just start using it for something small each month and repay it in full each month. That will help to start the process to “repair your credit record affter the DRO”.
Katie says
Hi Sara, I was made bankrupt almost six years ago, however, there are six CCJ’s showing for after the bankruptcy date. Five of them are two months later but one is nearly 18 months later. The court are being very difficult and suggesting I should apply for them to be ‘set aside’ (at a cost of over £200 each) even though they should never have happened in the first place. They also suggested I ask the creditor’s solicitors to apply (at a cost of £100). Have you any experience of a creditor being asked to apply, and are they obliged to do so if asked (bearing in mind the court case shouldn’t have happened). Should I get in touch with the Official Receiver at all or can’t they do anything to help? Thanks :)
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Hi Katie,
the court aren’t being “very difficult” here – they don’t have the discretion to just cancel CCJs. Nor unfortunately does the Official Receiver. If you apply for a set aside, you will suceed. If yopu are on benefits or a low income, you may not have to pay the fees, see https://formfinder.hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/ex160-eng.pdf. NAtional Debt line 0808 808 4000 can explain more about applying for a set aside and fees.
Another option you could consider is ignoring the ones that are dated soon after your bankruptcy – this will drop off your credit record after 6 years, They still exist after that, but the lender would have to go bank to court to try to “enforce” then after 6 years, and if you point out then that you are bankrupt, it is prett unlikely they would bother – as you could just apply for a set aside then.
That would just leave the one that was 18 months later to be sorted out.
Carl says
Hi
I had my house repossessed in 2008 it was joint owned with a friend but negative equity made it impossible to re-mortgage from an interest only 100% mortgage. We voluntarily handed the key in soon after. The house was sold at auction for £70k less than we paid and as a result we were left owing thousands! My circumstances changed and I started a family so in march 2012 I was declared bankrupt discharged a year later.
Since then I’ve had a Vanquis card and a few o2 phone contracts and all other household bill and have never missed a payment! I’ve just recently checked my Experian file and found I’ve gone down to 39 out of 999 nearly 5 years after going bankrupt! I’ve contacted 1 of the default accounts and hoping this will be sorted soon as it was before my bankruptcy date. But what concerns me is RBS still have me marked as delinquent and owing £93330 and last updated 08/01/2017. Does this seem correct?
I’ve tried to find a contact address or number to contact RBS but couldn’t find one. Plus what do I say to them as I’m not very clued up on all the language used.
Thank you for any help
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Who was your mortgage with?
Carl says
Royal Bank of Scotland
Sara (Debt Camel) says
OK , so that is the huge debt showing. You need to complain to the RBS Data Controller, that your house was repossessed and sold before you entered bankruptcy, that your bankruptcy wiped out the mortgage shortfall and that they need to correct your data record so that it shows a default date of the time the house was sold and a zero balance owing.
If they do not do this, take your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman.
Carl says
I wish I’d seen this article a long time ago! Experian just kept fobbing me off! It’s only now that I need to sort out my credit file as at 39 out of 999 it’s worse than when I went bankrupt. Thanks again for your help
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Come back and say how it goes!
Rizzo says
My bankruptcy was on 08/03/2011, automatic discharge therefore 08/03/2012, I believe I should see it drop off my credit file in the next few weeks?
I’ve checked my Experian file and some creditors are showing as satisfied or partially satisfied in the April/May, i guess it’s barely worth correcting this, if it takes up to 28 days anyway?
One creditor is still in red, showing as default, so I’m writing to them and Tti spc, which I believe is something to do with Barclaycard is showing as satisfied but the date is 2013, should I write to them?
Can I get the details of older defaulted accounts removed or am I the only person that can see them? The history of some accounts goes back to 2007.
Many thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
yes, 08/03/2017 !
I agree it’s not worth worrying about debts that have a default date in April or May this year,
Any debts with default dates after that should be asked to change the default date to 08/03/11, so they too drop off. After a debt has dropped off, creditors can’t tell it ever existed UNLESS they were the creditor for the old debt, in which case they may be able to see it from their own records.
Jo says
I am currently trying to apply for a Iva with my husband but the company have just told me that the debt I had from years ago that was wiped on a deb relief order is still showing and I don’t know what to do as it all went through and as far as I was aware it was long gone,please advise me who to contact as it’s made me worried.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You need to look at your credit record and see what us still showing. This other article https://debtcamel.co.uk/repair-credit-record-dro/ looks at how you can sort out post-DRO problems.
It’s a shame you have big debt problems again. Unless you have a house with equity, bankruptcy is probably a much better option for you than a DRO… have you talked to a debt adviser about bankruptcy? I mean a debt adviser from some like National Debtline or CAB, not an IVA firm that will make thousands in fees by selling yiu an IVA.
Bankruptcy is no worse for your credit record than an IVA, it is over quicker, and 7 out of 8 people don’t have to make any payments at all in bankruptcy… see https://debtcamel.co.uk/debt-options/guide-to-bankruptcy/ for lots of info and https://debtcamel.co.uk/hard-choices/iva-vs-bankrutcy/ which compares IVA and bankruptcy.
Alan says
I was bankrupt in April 2011 my mortgage was in both mine and my wife’s names. I was discharged in April 2012
the house did not sell until 2014.
The bank was paid off in full, all other proceeds were divided between my trustee and my wife.
Arrears mounted up on the mortgage from April 2011 until house was sold.
The arrears are shown on my credit file which makes it look like i borrowed again after my bankruptcy which i did not.
I have asked the bank to remove the arrears from my file as all my assets went into the bankruptcy.
As it stands the arrears will not drop off my file until 2020 which is 3 years later than everything else on my file.
This seams very unfair has i had no control of my assets after April 2011.
Are the bank correct by not removing the arrears from my file?
Is there anything I can do to remove them?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You should put in a written complaint to the bank about this as the article above explains. And take the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman if the bank refuses to backdate the default date.
Steve says
Hi Sara
I was discharged from my Bankruptcy June 2014. I understand this will be completely removed from my credit file June 2019. I note from reading previous messages that all defaults should be cleared from my at around the same time as the Bankruptcy. However, I have two ccj’s recorded on my file JUne 2014 and March 2015. These debts are were in place prior to going bankrupt and I don’t understand why the creditors have been able to apply ccj after the bankruptcy order. should CCJ’s be removed at the same time as the bankruptcy ie June 2019. Could you offer some advice please?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
The CCJs won’t be deleted at the same time as your bankruptcy. I’m afraid you will need to apply to have them set aside, contact National Debtline 0808 808 4000 and they can explain what you need to do.
Lisa says
Hi,
I filed for bankruptcy Sept 2015 and was discharged Sept 2016. I have done a report on noodle and there are still credit cards which are showing default every month. Is this normal as I’m now discharged. Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
No, all debts in your bankruptcy should by now have been marked as satisfied with a zero balance owing. Write the letter to the creditors that is given in the article above.
chris nicholls says
hiya i went bankrupt on 31/3/2011 so gonna be off various credit agencies but looking on noddle the other day ive got 3 that defaulted in may/june and another with wonga that was defaulted in november 2011 ??? but then it says satisfied 1/12 2014??? is it best too get them all off by writing letters of the templete ??? the 1st 3 are off in june so tbh not bothered about those ones but just this wonga account ??? or as its satisfied will that not show after 31/3/2017??? the day my bankruptcy ends well comes off all credit reports cheers
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You need to ask Wonga to correct the default date to be the date of your bankruptcy.
C NICHOLLS says
cheers Sara ive emailed them all with templete and screen shots of my bankruptcy order plus off my credit file showing dates , Also im looking tday as 3/4/2017 Still showing …The bankruptcy finished 31/3/2017 when will it actually drop off as still showing cheers
Sara (Debt Camel) says
what report are you looking at?
C NICHOLLS says
On Noddle and joined Consumer redit still showing on call credit Sara too ??? they said could take up too 30 days too driop off that right???
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Your noddle report is only updated once every 30 days. Call credit may already have update it!
C NICHOLLS says
Yes still showing on both not a biggie tbh but thxs for help Sara hopefully get default changed seemed positive on blower earlier lol when gave me email addy too chase it up
Paul Clarke says
Good afternoon Sara. If a debt is nearly statue barred (5 years and 8 months) and you recognise it, thus reversing the time limitation, does the default date on the debt change too? Does that mean it would say on your credit file for an additional 6 years – nearly 12 years in total?
Thanks. P
Sara (Debt Camel) says
No. The default date has NO connection at all with whether a debt is statute barred. Once a default date has been added, it can’t then be changed to a later one.
CMc says
Hi Sara – I was declared bankrupt in December 2010. I recently applied and was approved for a mortgage and am awaiting completion of house. I checked my noodle credit file this morning and 4 of my pre bankruptcy debts have been added. Two are listed as “default” (August 2011 listed) and the other two are listed as settled (January 2012 lised). The settled account related to my mortgage that was included as part of the bankruptcy. I am extrememly concerned about this – can you advice what I should do? The thing is, noodle shows this information but Experian dosent.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
oh it’s a pity you didn’t check your credit records with all three credit reference agencies before applying for a mortgage…
All your bankruptcy debts should have had default dates on or before your bankruptcy, so you need to get this corrected as the article above explains. The mortgage debt could be a problem here – for some reason the lenders seem slower and more reluctant to correct the credit records than unsecured lenders, but they eventually will.
I hope you told the bank you have applied to for a mortgage that you have been bankrupt? If you have, I *hope* this won’t prove a problem for your mortgage application.
CMc says
Hi Sara – thanks for reply. I checked all 3 credit reports before applying and they were all excellent. Recently, I responded to an old DCA who were hounding me to state I was bankrupt and the debt was included in the bankruptcy. They never responded to me and instead added a default later than the date of bankruptcy to my credit file. I am currently trying to get them to correct this. This debt was to an old address. It seems to have opened a can of worms and all these other pre bankrupt debts have appeared on my credit file. I am devastated.
Oddly the other debts are defaulted whereas the mortgage debt is satisfied. Should this make it easier to get default date changed?
I applied for mortgage through a broker in Feb 2017 so I was post 6 years bankrupt. The question on the mortgage applications asked about being bankrupt within the past 6 years and I answered “no.” Mortgage broker was aware I was bankrupt but she didn’t feel the need to disclose this as it was outside the information they required.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
How very annoying. It sounds as though the old address wasn’t properly linked to your new address before.
“Oddly the other debts are defaulted whereas the mortgage debt is satisfied. Should this make it easier to get default date changed?” Not really, they should all be easy to change. It’s just that sometimes, unpredictably, lenders don’t do it. And mortgage debts are the most likely to take time to resolve.
I suggest you contact your broker on Monday and ask her if it’s best to tell the lender about this.
CMc says
I will do Sara – thanks. Absolutely gutted – I thought this was all behind me and now it’s still dictating my life.
My Mortgage was with Northern Rock and I went bankrupt in 2010. I don’t even know if they still exist – do they? So I just send above template letter to the credit controller at Northern Rock?
I also have a credit card – do just send a letter to the credit controller at the credit card company?
CMc says
Sara – I have checked Experian and Equifax and both of them do not list the old pre bankruptcy debts I mentioned above – would there be any reason why noodle is the only CRA who are listing them?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It may be that Call Credit is the only CRA who has correctly linked your old address to your current record? But I’m guessing here. If you want someone to investigate in detail, I suggest you go to your local Citizens Advice where they can go through the credit reports line by line and help to work out what is going on.
CMc says
Sara – just a wee update on the above. I managed to contact two of the lenders who had defaulted accounts I had with them later than the date of BR. I spoke with them and got through to their insolvency departments. Both told me they did not receive any notification of BR. One asked me to fax discharge notification and I had to email the other lender the same.
I rang both lenders this morning for an update and they stated they have passed the paperwork onto the CRA’s to change the default date back to date of bankruptcy. They were very helpful. I requested written confirmation and both stated they would have this in the post today. My only issue is that it could take 6-8 weeks to change on my credit file. If it was to contact the CRA myself, do you think they would accept the written confirmation I am to receive as evidence that the lender has agreed to change the default date? Thank-you.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
No, sorry, the CRAs only report what a lender tells them. If you complain to a CRA they basically pass your complaint to the lender.
Danielle says
I was declared bankrupt on 8th Feb 2015 then I was discharged a year later. I had a mortgage with an ex partner which was included in the bankruptcy, however my ex partner still lives in the property and is behind on the payments by 4 months again and this is affecting my credit score. Is there anything I can do to get this removed from my credit file?
Accounts on Experian are dull showing as defaulted with a balance and not closed and these were included in the bankruptcy – how can I amend these on my credit file?
Can you please help me as I’m unsure as to what to do to repair my credit file?
Thank you
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You are no longer liable for this mortgage. Use the information in the article above to ask the lender to correct your credit record and take the case to the Financial Ombudsman if they won’t do this.
Danielle says
Thank you for your help
Andy says
I am 2 months of being discharged from bankruptcy and have an active C.C.J. on my credit file that is 18 months old, the creditor has verbally confirmed they have closed the account but will not mark the C.C.J. as satisfied as nothing was paid, should I be applying to the courts to get this set aside?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
So the CCJ was before you went bankrupt? If that is correct, there is nothing you can do about this. As it says in the article above “There is no ‘partially settled’ status for a CCJ and the court only has to mark a CCJ as satisfied if you have paid it in full, which you haven’t.”
You will not get a set aside approved – there has to be a reason why the original CCJ should not have been given and this subsequent post-bankruptcy issue is irrelevant.
This may seem annoying, but in practice it doesn’t matter much. A CCJ on your credit record is a minor problem compared to the bankruptcy marker and the CCJ will drop off before the bankruptcy marker does.
Andy says
OK thanks, that will save me a lot of time not having to fill the paperwork in. I am also concerned as I have something showing in my active credit card section on my credit file as E-Credit Plus LTD with a £0 balance it has been there for 2 years yet I know nothing about it and when I have tried to contact the creditor they do not seem to exist, how should I tackle this?
Karen says
My ex husband went bankrupt, the court date is 2/6/11. I went to the bank the other day and was informed I myself had a bankruptsey against me. I remember my ex husband putting me on his company. I havnt been in touch with my ex husband as I don’t know where he is. Could you give me some information as to how I can get this bankruptsey off my bank and off anything else!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Have you had a look on your credit record and seen what that says? It is highly unlikely you have been made bankrupt without you knowing. It may be you are still linked fiancially to your ex? Do you still have any joint accounts or a mortgage?
Karen lockwood says
We never had a mortgage or a joint bank account but I did use my cheque book to pay some things on his company. Iv looked on Company’s house and my name isn’t mentioned!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Have you looked at your credit record?
Karen lockwood says
No joint accounts or mortgage, the only thing he had his name on was the water bill but I had his name taken off over a year ago. There is nothing on my credit report but yet it was mentioned to me when I went to the bank, don’t understand how the bank can see it!
Sarah says
Hi
I have been discharged from bankruptcy in 2013 which I only found out 2 months ago! I need a car desperately for my job but the problem is my credit rating is 201 which is not great to be accepted by low Apr lender’s. How can improve from here and what loans or credit cards can i go for to build up on my credit ratings.
Many thanks
Sarah
Sara (Debt Camel) says
First have you checked your credit record to see all your debts in bankruptcy have been properly marked as the article above says? You need to do this before applying for any more credit.
After that you can apply for a “bad credit” card such as Vanquis – you need to use it each month and repay it in full each month to get the most benefit for your credit score.
Also have a look at LOQBOX where you set up a saving plan for a year and doing this improves your credit score: https://www.loqbox.co.uk/#our-story-mobile.
there are no fast solutions to your problem.