A reader asked:
I have a debt with a default date 30 April 2013. I was paying the debt for about a year then stopped as the default would always be on my file in any case.
Will the debt drop off in 2019, or will it extend to 2020 as I was paying it for a year? Do settled accounts affect your credit score?
The simple answer is that all defaults drop off your credit record after six years, but this situation as it isn’t all good news for the reader.
Debts always disappear 6 years after a default
A debt will be deleted from your credit record six years after the default date. There are no exceptions to this rule so it applies if:
- you have repaid the debt in full – the date you repaid it doesn’t matter;
- you made a partial settlement (also called a full and final settlement) – again the date of the settlement doesn’t matter;
- you are still making monthly payments to the debt;
- you aren’t making any payments to the debt.
His default date was 30 April 2013, so by the end of April 2019 the debt will have gone.
One point that can confuse people is that after a default has been added, another default is added each month. These don’t affect your credit score and don’t matter for when the debt drops off – the first default is the real one.
Do settled accounts affect a credit score?
I’m not clear what the reader was asking, so I will answer some variations.
Will settling a defaulted debt showing on your credit record improve your credit score?
No. You may think this is weird but paying off a defaulted debt does not help your credit score.
Will settling a debt once it has dropped off your credit score cause it to reappear at all?
No, it will never come back.
Once a debt has dropped off your credit record will it affect your credit score?
No. Once it has gone, it doesn’t feature in the credit reference agency’s calculations of your credit score. There is no secret database of debts that have dropped off credit records. The only lender that may take account of it in future is the lender you defaulted to, who may see the default on their internal records.
The bad news – a CCJ is still possible
As the above answer show, all the immediate news for the reader’s credit score is good.
The bad news is that even though the debt drops off his credit record, it still legally exists.
Because he last made a payment in 2014 sometime, it will not become statute barred until at least six years after he missed a payment to it which will be in 2020 – or possibly later.
Up until that point, the current creditor can take him to court and get a CCJ – that would then appear on his credit record for another six years even though the underlying debt is no longer there. It can be hard to be sure exactly when a particular debt becomes statute-barred as there was a new court judgement in January 2019 which affects some debts, see Common questions about statute barred debt for more information.
And this isn’t some theoretical possibility, it is unfortunately quite likely.
There were more than a million consumer CCJs in 2019. That was the highest number ever – more than twice as many as 8 years ago.
It is common for a debt collector to wait until the last 6 months before a debt becomes statute-barred before going to court. Read No calls or letters about a debt for years which looks at this situation.
When can you get a default deleted?
How much will my credit score change if…
Should you get a loan to repay a default?
Bette says
Hi Sarah
i’m wondering why it is that DCA’s are not aware of debtors original default dates. Even if a debt is sold on several times why is not the original default date included in the information when sold on from DCA to DCA?
Alternatively why do DCA’s not check for the original default date set by the original creditor on the debtors credit file? surely the credit file would also show if any payments were made after the original default date and therefore statue barred would not apply until after the last payment? – am i missing something?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
What makes you think creditors aren’t aware of the default date used by the original creditor?
If you have a DCA that is using a later date, send them a complaint and tell them to use the OC date – but this isn’t a common problem to see.
Statute barring has LITTLE OR NOTHING to do with the default date. Some DCAs argue (incorrectly) that the 6 year limitation period start with the default date. But I never heard of one arguing that a later payment after the default date doesn’t stop the statute barring – that wouldn’t be in their interest after all.
luis says
Hi Sarah,
Hope you can help with this question.
I have received an update on my credit score stating that there is a Court Judgement against me for a total amount of £237 from a parking fine issued on 02/05/2014. I wrote to the claimant in January and got no response so I was thinking of paying it anyway so I can settle this CCJ.
Would this affect me credit score if I want to buy a house in the next 6 months?
Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
The chance of you getting a mortgage at an OK rate is close to zero even if you pay this now. If you knew nothing about this CCJ before January, I suggest you talk to National Debtline, see https://www.nationaldebtline.org/, asap about whether you can set aside the CCJ and how to do this.
Marion says
My friend cosigned for her then ex husband to get a RV when they separate he defaulted on the loan. Is is the same amount of time 6 years before her credit comes clear .or in someway this will still effect her.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I think you live in America? This website only covers English credit reporting rules, they are not the same in the USA. Sorry you need to talk to someone locally with your query.
Mark Hughes says
I recently had a CCJ appear on my credit report. It was from a defaulted debt that had fallen off my report a few years ago. I have today successfully had it set aside, subject to a Tomlin Order, as the CCJ papers were served at the wrong address.
Deborah McAteer says
I have a default on my account from November 2013 does that mean that coming this November it will drop off having passed the 6 years?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
yes, a default date of 14 November 2013 means it disappears 6 years later on 14 November 2019.
Deborah McAteer says
Thank you,
Thats great news!
A mortgage adviser said i should wait before settling the payment as it would appear like a brand new default on my file.
Thank you so much!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It won’t. It will drop off if it is paid in full, paid partially or not paid at all.
Diane says
Hi Sara
Over ten years ago I fell seriously ill and could not work for 2 years. I am a house owner with a mortgage and at the time had several credit cards, a catalogue, a secured & personal loan . Long story short as I could not met the minimum payment all my accounts fell in to arrears and defaulted. I came close to being declared bankrupt. My last default fell off my credit account Dec 2017.
I was advised to contact the citizen advice who helped me to negotiate minimum payments of £1 and I was transferred to PayPlan once i was able to return to work. This year I arranged a drawdown on my pension and offered discounted repayments to all my creditors via PayPlan which were accepted.
Recently, I have received letters from 2of those creditors informing me that if the debt was still registered on my credit account (which they are not ) it would be marked either partially settled, paid in full or settled with a discount (they were all settled with a discount).
My question is, can they go back to my credit file to record that the debt settled with a discount?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
No they can’t. See https://debtcamel.co.uk/ff-credit-record/
Brian connell says
Hi Sara,
I had a default with Santander which I agreed to pay at a lower rate it was going ok then 3 years no missed payments they have issued a CCJ which now become 9 years bad data on my credit file really any advice please am paying it any way.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Are you now paying it at a higher rate than you were before the CCJ?
Brian connell says
Hi Sara,
I am paying the same amount but due to costs with CCJ extra £1,500 as been added to the debt.
Nick says
Hi Sara,
I have a defaulted credit card listed against me £4000). I made a deal with the CC company and paid it off for a lesser amount. The default is due to come off at the end of next month. It’s been along six years….I don’t want to get my hopes hope too much but what do you imagine the effect on my score will be? I have no other defaults and my other credit accounts are all in good standing.
Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
This article has some numbers https://debtcamel.co.uk/credit-score-change/. But it really depends what is on the rest of your credit record and which credit reference agency you are looking at.
Micah says
Hi Sara,
I have two unsettled defaults both being paid monthly, but both drop off my file within the next 35 days. Totalling £500
I had a CCJ which dropped off in September.
I now only have 1 default for £97 which is paid and settled, this drops off in 2020.
I just wanted to check my mortgage chances at the end of October? Will that 1 remaining default ruin my chances even though it has been paid?
Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It’s not just your credit record that is a problem. An old paid default should be OK> but if you are still paying unsettled defaults (and is the CCJ settled?) then that will show on your bank statements and may cause a problem. You want all your defaulted debts settled, on you credit record or not.
Alan says
Hi
I had a lot of defaults from 2013, most of which have dropped off my credit report. I final default is coming off around January next year. I have a couple of credit cards and a loan I have just paid off. My credit score is slowly going out. Once this final default is removed, should I see a significant improvement in my credit score?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Probably! But are there any missed payments or payment arrangements showing? And your credit cards, is your balance using a lit of the credit limit?
Alan says
Once this default is removed I have no late payments or any issues with any credit accounts. Everything else is up to date with no missed payments and I have high credit limits and are well within them. My Experian score is only 658 out of 999 – poor. I read that a default deducts 300 points which is reduced to 250 after 2 years and 200 after 4 years. Based on this, does my score go up by 200 when its removed?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It should be something like that! Come back and say what actually happened… It is going to help your score if you can get the credit balances down to under 30% of your credit limit, see https://debtcamel.co.uk/credit-score-change/
Alan says
Hi
Just to let you know that my final default has been removed and my score increased by 120 points.
Thanks
Gemma Bradley says
Hi,
I have a defaulted overdraft that is due to drop off my credit report 1 year from now. The original amount was £2001. I was paying £1 per month for several years and more recently after clearing other debts I have upped the monthly payment, the debt now stands at £1740. I will be increasing the monthly payment and should clear another £200 min by the time the 6 years is up.
My question is, how likely is it that the collection agency (Moorcroft) will pursue a CCJ as I am continuing to repay and also making efforts to up the payments? I have never actually spoken to them and they don’t have my current address.
Thanks in advance.
Gemma
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Sounds unlikely to me if you have recently increased your payments. Is there a particular reason you are worried about this?
Gemma Bradley says
I am just inexperienced in the matter and don’t want to end up with another 6 years of bad credit as it has been difficult. I had to resign from my business on paper so my business partner could open a bank account without me- I don’t want to continue to be a burden on the business like this and figure I have a year to think of solutions if this is very likely to happen. I will keep paying as much as I can and am due some tax back next year so will use that too to show even more willing before the end of the 6 years. Thanks Sara
Sara (Debt Camel) says
If you get a reasonable amount of tax back you can always offer a partial settlement. It will be off your credit record so this will never show.
Gemma Bradley says
No it will be £100 if im lucky. I’ve been thinking of other potential sources of money I can put towards it and best case scenario I will clear another £400 by the time the 6years are up and should be repaying £30 a month at that time, hopefully that will keep them at bay. I don’t have any contact with them and they have an old address so unless they track me down and offer a F&F I will avoid contacting them and keep paying it all off over the next 3 years. I wouldn’t be able to gather the cash for an F&F.
Thanks
Lewis says
I have had a default from 2016 pop up on my credit file, the lender has agreed to take it off a few days ago but its had not yet been removed, the problem is i have a mortgage broker waiting to put through the application for the mortgage but i need it to go to do so,
How long you think it takes to be removed as the lender said within 24 hours and it has now been over 48?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
if it is going through the normal procedure, sometime in the next month.
Lewis says
Ive just signed upto a few credit score sites and it has been removed, and my scores gone upto excellent! So good news, i think it was the site i was using may take a few weeks to update
Helen says
Hi – can you explain why they agreed to take it off? I didn’t think defaults could be removed? Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
See https://debtcamel.co.uk/get-rid-of-a-default/ which look at when this may be possible.
jon says
I am currently in a DMP (debt level around 5k) and my defaults are approaching the 6 year mark this year , the earliest due to drop off is in March . I am desperate not to get a CCJ but cant afford to clear all the balances before then. I intend to clear the 4k within 2 years . Debts mostly two closed overdrafts and credit cards . What can I do not to get a CCJ ?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Carry on paying the DMP!
ALEXANDER AUSTIN says
Hi Sara,
I have a default on my credit report which was originally registered on 2nd April 2014. Today 3rd April 2020 my new credit report came through and the default is still on the credit report. I also paid the default in full.
I thought defaults are automatically removed after 6 years? In my case this dosent appear so.
Please could you advise what I should do?
Thank you Alex
Sara (Debt Camel) says
what date does the credit report say the default is? what credit report are you looking at?
J says
I have a defaulted debt with Vodaphone. Date of default 02 May 2014. I used credit karma for credit report and noticed this defaulted account. I haven’t paid towards the account since early 2014. I have not contacted the company either by writing, email or phone about this account. At the time I couldnt remember it so queried it through trans union as not recognizing the account. I later remembered what the debt was for. So I now know it is my debt. I was wondering if my querying of this debt, through the credit agency, counts as ‘acknowledging the debt’ as I was told that after six years it becomes barred and will eventually be taken off my credit report if I haven’t ‘acknowledged the debt’ I have a current contract with Vodaphone and they have not sent any letters about this old debt, this may change due to querying it. I would like to pay the debt but am worried if I make a payment before May 2020 that it will stay on my credit report for a further 6 years.
Also if this defaulted account is removed from my credit report, would it likely drop off the report in June/July?
Also does querying the account through Trans Union, via my credit report with credit karma, count as acknowledging the debt? Thank you for responding
Sara (Debt Camel) says
So I now know it is my debt.
So you now remember you had Voaphone account. But do you remember leaving an account unpaid? How large its the debt?
If there is a default on the debt it will drop off 6 years after that whatever you do.
Checking a credit record does not count as acknowledging a debt.
A says
Hi Sara,
I had such a bad time in 2017 and ended up with around 6 defaulted accounts.
My credit score is the lowest it can be on 96.
I read somewhere that even with defaults after I think 3 years your score will improve a little and so on.
Is this true? I don’t know what to do to improve this score. I can get no credit at all to Improve the score. I need to rent a house this year as I will have nowhere to live but I’m scared I will be rejected to rent because of this.
Xx
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Are you repaying the defaulted debts? What sort of debts are they, loans, catalogues?
Do you have any spare income at all?
Old defaults matter a bit less, but with 6 defaults your credit score is always going to be bad.
A says
They were payday loans. I couldn’t afford to pay them at once so I had multiple defaults from the same company for different loans.
I paid them all back now I just have one left that I am paying.
I just feel so low now. Knowing these things that happened when I was in my early 20s is going to effect me forever is more than I can bare sometimes.
X
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Well done for escaping from the payday loan trap!
I suggest you read https://debtcamel.co.uk/payday-loan-refunds/ and send them affordability complaints.
If you win a complaint, you will get back any interest you paid but also any negative marks will be deleted from your credit record.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It also not forever. Defaults drop off after 6 years.
If you really have some spare money each month, you could look at a monthly saving plan from LOQBOX. See https://debtcamel.co.uk/loqbox/. You don’t get any interest on your savings but it set up as though you are repaying a debt, so it helps your credit score. By itself it won’t make a huge difference but baby steps in the right direction.
A says
Thank you, that’s made me feel a little better. So after six years will my credit report go up significantly? Xxx
Sara (Debt Camel) says
6 years after the default date, a debt drops off. It’s a long while but not a life sentence!
Fee says
Hi Sara
I wanted to know if a default is a public record please? I know a ccj is a public record, but I cant find a definite answer to whether a default is public. Thank you .
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Why does this matter to you? I am asking as you may not have phrased your question quite right, so knowing the background would be helpful.
Raul says
Hi Sarah, I was hoping to seek clarity on a point.
I defaulted on a credit card debt of £3000 3 years ago, I buried my head in the sand for 3 years, paid nothing and it has now been sold onto Cabot. I’ve had zero contact with either the original CC company or Cabot.
As I understand in 3 years time this debt will fall off (barring a CCJ application) and my credit score should improve.
Would there be any advantage to my credit score of engaging with Cabot and trying to come up with a plan (I assume they would insist on this being over a max of 3 years to stop someone stopping paying 6 years after the initial default) ie if I make some payments for the next 3 years would my score go up, or would it remain the same as if I had not made any payments and try to hold out or the 6 years.
Thanks you so much
Sara (Debt Camel) says
This article looks at your situation: https://debtcamel.co.uk/no-calls-or-letters-about-debt/.
Stephen Thompson says
Hello Sara
I have 2 defaults with Nationwide. One ends in July 2021 and the other in April 2022. I missed payments on both accounts, overdraft and loan, at the same time. And began paying off the debts at the same time via DMP. How can both be registered/dated so differently as defaults. I am aware of the implications of getting good credit until such time they are fully removed. I have four other defaults (different banks), which are due to end between Feb-June 202. Can I challenge Nationwide about the date/variation of the defaults?
Thanks
ST
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I have four other defaults (different banks), which are due to end between Feb-June 202.
2021? or 2022?
Is the nationwide loan or overdraft the later default? I bet it’s the overdraft…
what date did you start your DMP?
ST says
Hello Sara,
It is Feb-June 2021. And yes it’s the overdraft. I started DMP on 1 May 2015. Both accounts are now settled.
Thanks
ST
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Overdrafts are more difficult as there are no set repayments each month so how can your bank tell if you have stopped making any payments because you are in difficulty or because you just haven’t used that account for a few months…
But the fact you included the overdraft in your DMP should have been a big clue to nationwide that you were in difficulty. So I suggest you ask nationwide to backdate the date of the overdraft default.
ST says
Hello Sara,
I can hear their arguments already, although I believe I have a strong case given the DMP. After the DPM started I made a complaint about the overdraft facility as I was in a bad place and I used it erratically, I.e. balance increases 3/5 times per day up to and including £5 thousand. Needless to say they rejected my complaint.
Thanks
ST says
Hello Sara
It Feb-June 2021. And yes it is the overdraft. I read they have different processes however it seems grossly unfair. DMP started on 01.05.2015. Both accounts are now settled.
Thanks
ST
Alex says
Hi Sara,
I have recently looked into my credit score on clear score, i have an open defaulted account with EE it says current amount £711, first default was feb 2015, last updated 14th july 2015, Would this balance be the balance if i contacted them to pay it or will they sting me for more?
Obviously it is due to clear off in a year, if i call them to pay and ask for maybe a payment plan as i dont want this to turn into a ccj will it still clear on my report in 2020 or will make the 6 years start again?
Thank you!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Would this balance be the balance if i contacted them to pay it or will they sting me for more?
I don’t know. credit records aren’t a completely reliable way of telling how much you owe.
will it still clear on my report in 2020
if the default date on your credit record is feb15 then it will clear from your credit report in feb21, not 2020. This will happen whatever you do – pay it or not, contact them or not.
But paying it will stop it turning into a CCJ.
Alex says
Thank you so much, i did mean 2021. I was worried if i contact them etc it will go from this date as ideally id like it not to go into a ccj later.
Thank you again
Sara (Debt Camel) says
If you set up a payment plan the debt is till going to drop off then.
Richard says
Hi Sara
I have defaults from 2015 that I havent paid anything of. If these drop off my file to does the dept still exist? What are my options?
Many thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
The defaults WILL go 6 years after the default date on the credit record.
I suggest you read https://debtcamel.co.uk/no-calls-or-letters-about-debt/ which looks at your situation.
Jordan says
Hi Sara
In 2015 I opened a 5k account with a credit union after many years as a regular saver. Unfortunately I started to default in March 2016 where we then had no contact. 1 year ago Credit Union made contact with me and I started to pay a £50 payment per month that I have payed since.
Credit Union have changed the status of the account from default to late payments 3 months ago. I have raised a dispute with Experian of which i am a member to have this amended to default again in order to have the default automatically removed in March 2022.
As such, I am half way through my Uni course and (all going to plan) will graduate July 2022 where i will complete a pre-reg year thereafter. It would be during this year (i.e Aug 2022-23) that I would be looking to apply for a mortgagde (deposit dependant of course).
Am I right in thinking that 1) I should continue to pay the new agreement of £50pcm to maintain a relationship and avoid CCJ? Even after the 6 year mark 2) Can Credit Union object to changing the account back to default? Or do anything else to my file if I continue to pay this sum? 3) The balance stands at 3.5k so I understand that the £50 will take a LONG time to pay. Would settling this make any difference at all ?? 4) In terms of mortgage applications can the process be started at the earliest in April 2022?
I hope that makes sense!
Thanks so much
Best
Jordan
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Yes you should carry on paying, even after the 6 year point, assuming £50 is affordable. Otherwise you risk a CCJ
The CU should not have removed the default from what you say. But Experian will probably just pass your dispute to the CU, CRAs are usually useless in this situation. You need to complain to the CU and get them to put the default back – and take your complaint to the Ombudsman if the CU refuse.
But the balance needs to be settled before you apply for a mortgage. You could offer a settlement amount, I don’t know if the CU will accept. But you are unlikely to get a mortgage until this is repaid so you can’t just wait until it drops off your credit record, at that point the mortgage lender will still be able to see it on your bank statements.
Jordan says
Hi Sara
Thank you for help.
Great advice about the CRA not being much use about the dispute- i have just signed with Equifax so will cancel at the end of the free period and I will contact Credit Union to get them to revert back to default. Hopefully this can remain amicable without the need for the Ombudsman, but I’m glad to know that would be my next step. Thanks again.
Didn’t know the balance needs settled before the mortgage can be drawn. I was hoping that because i am still in contact and paying off the debt that the lender would accept this. I don’t understand much about the mortgage process as I am in the early planning stages getting my finances in order now so that when the time comes I’m ready. I have no other defaults or missed payments and have successfully taken and payed personal loans in full during this time.
In terms of offering a settlement, i agree that Credit Union may not accept anything less than the full balance. Best case scenario? If i were to arrange something with CU.. for how long would this need to be settled before the mortgage could be processed? Or is it immediate from after the 6 years when it would stop appearing on my bank statements.
Thanks again
Jordan
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Ideally you need 6 months clear, as you may be asked for 6 months of bank statements. But this is a way off, so talk to a mortgage broker at the time as things may be different in a few years.
Martin Walker says
Hi, I have an unsatisfied ccj from 2015 for 20k my question is. The judgement date is November 2015 but the default date is July 2015 which date do I expect the ccj to be removed from my credit file.
Regards
Sara (Debt Camel) says
The debt will go in July 21 and the CCJ in November 21.
Martin Walker says
Thanks Sara, is there anything I can do to contest the ccj at this stage? The ccj was felt with in my absence I didn’t no it was going to court I know it’s years since it received the ccj but it is having a negative effect on my credit file and I would like to buy a house in the near future hopefully. Or would I be better off leaving it until it naturally falls off my credit file? Appreciate the help and advice.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
CCJs really need to be contested as soon as you know about them. It would cost you £255 to Apply to get the CCJ set aside. And if you succeeded, unless you could pay off the debt in full, the creditor may just start another court case…
Unless you think the default was wrong eg you never owed the money, then getting rid of the CCJ would really only improve your credit record for the time between July and Nov 2021.
If you want to know more about contesting the CCJ, talk to Natiuonal Debtline on 08088084000
Achantele says
Hi, i have defaults due to drop off around july-oct 2021 all are satisfied.
However also have closed accounts which are old with missed payments not defaults.. all satisfied too so my query is when do the come idd my account the start date or the date i satisfied them? For eg the debt was from 2015 but i cleared all debts in 2017 on my report. Will they come off 2021 or 2023?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
closed accounts drop off 6 years after the debt was settled.
Paulos says
Hi i have are bad records but i payed everything only one saying RMC2 I don’t know what does it’s means this year is 6 years so i don’t know what’s going on
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Sorry I don’t know what you are looking at.
William says
Hi I have 2 Defaults from June 2014 and they are still showing on my Equafax report should this be and if not what should I do about it?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
which report are you looking at?
Simon says
Hi Sara,
I started my trial month on Experian to see why i have such a bad score, appreantly a CCJ was granted by Northamption Court regarding a non council parking fine. it was issued in September 2018 to my previous address which i moved out from in June 2018. What could i do to get this removed from my account?
Thanks
Si
Sara (Debt Camel) says
See https://debtcamel.co.uk/help-ccj/ and talk to National Debtline on 0808 808 4000.
Tracy Mulholland says
Hi Sara,
I have a CCJ that was filed in may 2016 for just over £600. I have paid this off and can prove the payments through the bank. But when I tried to get it marked as ‘settled, the company seems to of gone into administration. I spoke to Nottingham court but they say that the company has to send the information regarding the debt. Is there anything I can do about this?
Thanks
Tracy
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You can apply for a certificate of satisfaction , see https://debtcamel.co.uk/paid-ccj-satisfied/, it will cost£15. It’s up to you if you think this is worth it.
Han says
Hi,
I am looking to apply for a mortgage soon and opened all 3 reports with total money, Experian and Equifax. All different scores. One thing I noticed was 2 missed payments from jul and Aug 14 which I didn’t know I had, everything else all seems fine. The account was closed in October 15…will it be 2021 when this comes off or August this year as they were missed payments?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Oct 21.
But a couple of missed payments that old may not be a problem now for a mortgage application if your deposit and affordability is OK.
Han says
Hi Sara,
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
Could you clarify why my scores are so different.
Experian 995
Equifax 365
Total Money 609
I’ve noticed that my electoral role in for isn’t on any of them which I’ve sent across as I am on electoral roll at my address so requested all are updated with home address and that I am infact on register. Will this help?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
See https://debtcamel.co.uk/experian-or-equifax-which-is-best/for why the scores are different. Being on the electoral roll adds a tiny bit to your credit score.
Matt Ashcroft says
Hello Sara, I am glad I found this! After my divorce and redundancy I got into real trouble around 30K I have 7 credit card debts and one bank overdraft debt that have on the most part been passed over to the likes of Moorcroft,Wescot etc. I have been paying small anounts on each on a plan helped by mymoneysteps. I partly own a house with my ex wife that is up for sale and I am due money from the sale. I have two questions, how do I find out when the original 6 year default runs from? They were all around the same time 2014. And once the default drops off, do I have to keep paying the plans? Some keep sending me settlement letters is this due to the 6 yr getting close? Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
how do I find out when the original 6 year default runs from
look at your credit records, the default date should be on there.
once the default drops off, do I have to keep paying the plans?
yes, see https://debtcamel.co.uk/debt-not-on-my-credit-file/
Some keep sending me settlement letters is this due to the 6 yr getting close?
Possibly but it can equally be because the debt is getting old so your situation may have changed and you may be able to offer a partial settlement. If they are offering a low settlement which you can afford, this can be a good option, the debt will still go from your credit record if there is a default date on it. But don’t stretch to pay more than you can afford!
Matt ashcroft says
Thats great thank you. One of the default dates is 2016 but I know it must be earlier. Once the default has gone does the debt disappear off the file, so not effecting future borrowing?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
6 years after the default date on the ceredit record, the whole record is deleted.
It will then only affect future borrowing if a lender looks at what you are actually spending eg by looking at bank statements or open banking.
Matt Ashcroft says
Thank you! Sorry to be a pain, but if I do not agree with the default date ie I believe it was earlier what do I do? Comtact the original lender and get the details of when they first recorded it?
This could make a huge difference to me as I will pay them back soon, and need to sort these defaults out. Thank you again!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Yes, ask the original lender.
Rob says
Hi Sara
I have an old debt from a phone provider of £390. The account was set up in April 2014 the default date was 05/02/2015. The provider can’t find any details of the debt when I’ve tried to pay it off!! Is it worth paying off now when it will fall off my credit file In 3 months? Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It sounds like you have done your best! I am not sure how you can pay it off if they can’t find the record.
It is possible that it has been, or will be at some point, sold to a debt collector. But it may not.
Rob says
So will it come off in February regardless?
Thanks
Rob
Sara (Debt Camel) says
yes.
the only danger is the mobile co or a debt collector finds the loan and, asks you to pay and you don’t and then takes you to court. Then there would be a CCJ on your record. But providing you don’t ignore letters, you should be ok.
BRIAN says
Had a defaulted Nationwide Credit Card which has since dropped my credit file still paying Wescot monthly for this debt. My credit file (Transunion) now stating I’ve missed a payment this was recorded on my file in september but only notified in the last three days. How can they start to record missed payments on my file when it’s over 6 years old? and does this suggest the debt is still with Nationwide and damage my file which I’ve tried so hard to keep clean.
Brian
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Westcot are collecting on behalf of Nationwide? so the debt shows as nationwide on your credit records?
Brian says
Thank you Sara
There was no records showing this debt for years why now ? – I have kept up all payments to them and can prove it. Can they remove the late mark if I can prove it?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It’s probably not relevant that you have kept up payments. But what they have done is still probably wrong…
It sounds as though there was originally a default on the debt and that the debt dropped off when the default was 6 years old. In this situation, the debt should NEVER reappear, whether you keep paying or not. (Of course if you stopped paying they could go for a CCJ which would mess up your credit record for another 6 years. So you can’t just stop paying. but the point is the debt itself should never reappear.)
Can you confirm the debt shows as a Nationwide debt on your credit record not a Westcot debt?
Brian says
Yes Nationwide CC my other worry is that I have moved several times and didn’t think it was relevant to inform Nationwide only Wescot.Now it’s marked on my credit file and showing a missed payment in September I don’t know what October and November may show – and if they have took any actions without me knowing. Should I ask them to provide me with the original agreement just in case as I’ve read on your threads they can’t enforce anything without a copy of the agreement.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
No, what you should dispute is that the debt has reappeared on your credit record – this has nothing to do with a missed payment or whether you have moved, it has happened because the default date has been removed. Ask Westcot to put the default date back and if they say No, send Nationwide a formal complaint.
When did you first take the card out?
Brian says
Thanks Sara
I took the card out over 20 years ago (Again this is something that has reemerged on my credit file) Credit Karma.
Brian
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Interesting.
What is the current balance?
Brian says
Balance £4728
Sara (Debt Camel) says
ok so your first priority has to getting it off your credit record. This is a mistake that it has reappeared.
After that you should read https://debtcamel.co.uk/ask-cca-agreement-for-debt/ and think about asking Nationwide to produce the CCA agreement for the debt. this is normally pretty easy for the original lenders, it only tends to work when the debt has been sold to a debt collector. But this card is so old and it is so odd that it hasn’t been sold to a debt collector that this may be worth a try.
Sasava says
Hi,
I was involved in a car accident in 2009 when I was hit in the back of my car. I did not go ahead with any injury claim. However, against my advice, my passenger went ahead with a claim for herself. On the claim form for damage to my car I put down I had one previous accident.
The matter went to Court in 2010. I was asked numerous questions dating back to 1974 and was informed that I had in fact had 7 accidents during the course of my 49 year driving career which they found out from my medical records. The taxi driver hit me in the back! He lied about the speed he was doing. He lied about the fact that I was waving my hand indicating for him to slow down as I was about to stop at a red traffic light – I could see in my rear view mirror what was about to happen. He said he thought I was waving my hand to say Hello to him – unbelievable but true, that is what he said. A CCJ for £4.500 was placed against my house which means that when, and if I do sell my house, this money will have to be taken from the proceeds of the sale. I am wondering whether this money will have to be paid or is it completely cancelled after so many years? I just paid £6.00 to Trust on Line to check if I have any CCJ’s against my name and the report came back saying “None”. Do I still owe the Court £4.500? and does it accrue interest each year? Thank you.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
A charge against your house never becomes cancelled as it is too old.
Talk to National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 about whether interest is being added to the amount owed or not.
Abbey says
Hi.. I took a loan somewhere in 2012 paid most of it and had to return urgently back to South Africa where I stayed unemployed for 6 months, I returned to the UK in 2017 into a new home address, I found out last year that I have been reported as a delinquent for defaulting on £190.I have contacted the company On Strides to arrange settling this up to no avail, as they state my current info (address doesn’t match with the one on their data) I have ben willing to settle this as it impacts negatively on my credit score, The default notice is now over 8years in my credit report and I cant seem to have any joy removing it. Kindly advise.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
What credit report are you looking at? My guess is there is no Default Date on the credit record but it’s just showing as 6 months in arrears.
Ruth says
Hi Sara,
I’m currently looking at my Experian report and have defaults on there but not sure when exactly they would clear…do I go off the date that says “Account Settled” and count 6 years from then?
Thankyou in Advance
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It will go 6 years after the default date on your credit record. If there is no default date, it will go 6 years after the settlement date.
Matt says
Is it easy to trace these dates? I have 6 debts that are all around 5/6 years since I originally defaulted the original lender. I have been paying small amounts back to the various debt collection agencies under private arrangement with them. Once the default drops off, am I correct in thinking that I am in a stromger bargaining position to do a deal with the agencies?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
what credit report are you looking at?
Matt says
I am signed up to Credit Karma and Clearscore
Sara (Debt Camel) says
ok so can you see a default date on each credit record, with a D being recorded as the status for each month? or are the debts being recorded as in payment arrears with the status being a number such as 6?
If this isn’t clear, I suggest you get the statutory credit reports from Equifax and TransUnion and look at them – they are often easier to interpret. See https://debtcamel.co.uk/best-way-to-check-credit-score/
Matt says
Hi so on my Transunion report much of the infomation is missing, it has the lenders and amounts but the dates section has nothing in it
Weatherman says
Hi Matt
That’s strange – it should show the date the account was created. On the online version this is in the dropdown under ‘Status’, and on the PDF it’s there too, as it just shows the ‘fully dropped down’ information (not sure about the paper version, but it should certainly be there).
If these are blank I would contact Transunion and ask them (just ring them, no need to raise a dispute at this point), because lenders should have reported this information to them.
Matt says
Thanks for your help, I will have a look at it again tomorrow, maybe I was not looking at it in the right way. On the display there was rectangles for each debt/lender, when you click on the rectangle then it showed the dates going back to 2015, but the circles should be coloured depending on status.
Matt says
So with further investigation I can now see the default dates, however some are in the name of the original lender, and some in the name of the collection agency. One of them held by Intrum, the dates only go back two years (about when they took it over, but I know it was older. Once I get the orignal default date from the original lender, can I get this changed? Im guessing the default is only the original one from the orginal lender? Sorry if O am being thick about this! Some are from 2015 so this is a big year for me!
Weatherman says
Hi Matt
Don’t worry, these things can be confusing!
Yes, if the original lender added a default date, anyone who’s since bought the debt (like Intrum) should use the same default date. If the lender didn’t add a default date, contact them and ask them to add one. This would usually be set 3-6 months after you missed all or part of your payments (so if the debt was taken out in late 2015, the default date might be in early 2016).
You can do it either way, but it probably makes sense to contact the original lender first and ask them to put a default on your file. Once they have done, Intrum should start using that.
Hope that makes sense, and good luck :)
Matt says
Thats great, I will make some calls and then let you know how I get on..
Maggie says
Hi, I have 6 defaults total of £22,000 defaulted in 2019. At the moment I’m only paying £1 monthly towards each one. Is IVA a good way to pay them off?
Thank you
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Are these your only debts?
An IVA is a form of insolvency – it has the same very bad effect on your credit record as bankruptcy or a debt relief order. If your situation has much improved since 2019 and you could pay a lot more a month – say £350 or more – then you could just increase the payments and clear the debts without insolvency. Interest should now be frozen on these debts.
But if you could only pay say £100 a month it would take forever to clear the debts even with interest frozen so looking at a form of insolvency makes sense.
IVAs are suitable if you have assets to protect, normally a house with equity. Without assets you should be looking at bankruptcy.
IVAs should avoided if you have a good alternative. You will pay more and for much longer than in bankruptcy. And more than 30% of IVAs fail as they are not really flexible enough and they go in for so long. If your IVA payment is less than £100 a month there is little room to reduce it much if your expenses go up more than your income.
Not liking the sound of bankruptcy is a big mistake. Don’t sign up to a 5+ year IVA that may well fail!
iVA firms make very large fees from IVAs so there is a lot of mi-selling. Pay no attention to the Firms saying they are giving free advice, they expect to make big money from selling you an iVA and nothing from bank or a DRO.
If you do want to look at an IVA, talk to StepChange:
– They are a charity and they don’t care what solution you choose.
– Also if you have a house with equity they are one of the few firms that will not abuse the dreaded secured loan clause and try to force you to take a very expensive secured loan at the end of your IVA to release equity.
– I see very few complaints about StepChange IVAs compared to other firms.
Also talk to StepChange about a DRO. At the moment you would not qualify for a DRO as your debts are over 20k.
EDIT – the DRO limit was increased to 30k in June 2021
Martin says
I have a default from 2nd of may 2015 another from 2nd of July 2015 and a ccj from 2nd November 2015. Will they all be removed this year? And if so can I expect my credit score to improve dramatically? It’s around 420 on Experian now. I’m hoping as I have kept up with all payments for years now I will be able to start getting better interest rates and hopefully a mortgage. Any advice would be great.. thanks
Weatherman says
Hi Martin
All of these should be removed this year, yep! The only slight risk is if one of the defaults that wasn’t in the CCJ becomes a CCJ – so look out for any court papers, and call National Debtline if you get them: 0808 808 4000
Your credit score should improve quite a bit once all three have fallen off, but you should also make sure you’re doing the other bits right as well, e.g. that you’re on the electoral roll. See: https://debtcamel.co.uk/credit-score-change/
Sara (Debt Camel) says
yes those defaults will go.
But do you still owe any money on these balances? or are they repaid?
Martin says
I still owe a balance in the defaults and ccj
The defaults were for 02 for £1000 nearly 6 years ago, another for a finance car they gave me a default and then a ccj, none of the company’s have ever contacted me for any payments I haven’t made any payments towards any of them at all.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
So the defaults, as Weatherman said “The only slight risk is if one of the defaults that wasn’t in the CCJ becomes a CCJ – so look out for any court papers, and call National Debtline if you get them: 0808 808 4000”
If you are contacted about the CCJ after 6 years has passed, this is unusual so talk to National Debtline urgently. At that point the creditor may find it hard to enforce the old CCJ.
Martin Walker says
Ok thanks. So just to be clear.. even though the defaults and ccj will come off of my credit file this year it will still effect my mortgage application? Surely if it can’t be seen anymore then it shouldn’t be brought up?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
See https://debtcamel.co.uk/mortgage-debts-not-on-credit-record/ which looks at when a mortgage lender can “see” debts which are not on your credit record.
Wayne says
I had a store card that was cut up and as not been used since 2014, there is no payment history since feb 2014, I completely forgot about this, recently I’ve checked my credit file and the default date is 2019. How is the default date 2019 and does this mean this default stays on my report until 2025 so a total of 11years
Alison says
Hi,
I have a default on my credit file from an old student NatWest account dated July 2015. I haven’t made any payments to the account but it was last updated April 2017. Will it still drop off this year or because it was updated will it take till 2023 before it’s gone?
I’m hoping to get a mortgage later this year so I need it off my credit report. I also have a ccj dated 11/2018 which I have paid off. Is this going to stop me getting completely? I am looking at getting it set aside as it was from a pay loan which I shouldn’t have been approved for.
Any advice would be gratefully appreciated!
Thanks,
Alison
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Is there a default date on the overdraft record? Or does it just show missed payments?
Who was the payday lender?
Mark says
Hi , I got divorced and a joint loan defaulted in April 2017 , I realise after 6 years it drop off but I’m looking to move and wondered is it worth paying off ? (I’d have to borrow from family to do it ) or won’t it make any difference to a mortgage decision ? Also been offered 50% off just don’t know what’s best for me to move on as quickly as possible without this effecting me ! Thanks in advance
Sara (Debt Camel) says
The chance of you getting a new mortgage an ok rate with a non settled default on your credit record are about zero.
It has to be settled and fast – many mortgage lenders want debts to have been settled for a period (often a year) before they will lend.
50% off will save you a lot of money. A few mortgage lenders may prefer debts to have been repaid in full but others don’t care. Go through a mortgage broker who should direct you to a lender who doesn’t mind partial settlements, don’t apply direct and cross your fingers.
Ruby says
Hi
I lost my job in start of 2015 and got myself into a lot of debt. It resulted in 4 defaults (because I called companies and told them the situation and went on to a payment plan) and 1 CCJ. The defaults should all drop off this month but my CCJ was put on 3rd July 2017. All debts had been paid in full for at least 3 years. When checking credit reports it doesn’t say there is a CCJ but says that it was discharged in January 2021. Clear score notification said it had been removed.
With the defaults falling off will this improve my credit score?
Will the credit score improve the less time I have remaining in the CCJ and that is been paid in full?
All other credit is update and no issues since late 2015
Sara (Debt Camel) says
A CCJ should remain on your credit report even after it has been satisfied (unless you paid it in the first month, which I guess you didn’t.)
I suggest you have a look at your Equifax Statutory Credit report and see what shows there – see https://www.equifax.co.uk/Products/credit/statutory-report.html
Ruby says
Will my credit score improve though when the defaults drop off even though the CCJ may remain?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
yes but perhaps not as much as you would hope.
Mary says
Hi all, can I ask for experiences of applying for mortgages with a payday loan history. My last one was paid off last summer and I haven’t taken any new ones off 2 years. I will be seeking a broker to look at options
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Last summer is pretty recent to have paid the last one off – did you need a payment arrangement for it? Which lender was it?
What other lenders did you use?
Mary says
I’ve just checked my file again. Mr lender and Satsuma were paid off last April and May. No payment arrangements. I’ve had various loans over the years from the two above, lending stream, peachy, uncle buck, sunny, wage day advance etc. Some I’ve had redresses from and entries removed.
I’ve come a long way but I think the past is still going to haunt me during this process.
Millie says
Hi Sara,
My credit report shows 2 pretty small debts (£120 & £73) with a collection company called Lowell. These appear to have been catalogue purchases that were fraudulently made by someone I was living in temporary shared accommodation with around Feb 2016. Due to being homeless at the time, I was being moved from pillar to post by the landlord, and I know this is how my details were used, but I can’t actually prove that it wasn’t me that accrued the debt. (Whoever did, even got my DOB wrong!) and It’s really just on principle that I refuse to pay these debts as they are small, but are definitely not mine! Everything else on my report is 100% up to date. My phone contract, credit card and bank all check out, it’s just these darned defaulted Lowell accounts, and it irritates the hell out of me!
What would you suggest I do? Dispute the debts via my credit report service, or just hang fire and see if they drop off my report next year? I’ll blow my top if Lowell try sticking a CCJ on me for such a paltry amount, but from what I can gather, that could actually happen! Am I right thinking they’ll drop off in early/mid 2022 as well?
Thank you in advance.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
do these debts have a default date on them?
if you think they are identity theft, it is usually better to tackle them now, not wait until Lowell starts threatening a CCJ. Read https://debtcamel.co.uk/loans-using-your-name-stop-identity-theft/
Millie says
Yes, the default dates are both for September 2016. I know SOMEBODY used my details, but finding out who is virtually impossible. The landlord had a habit of moving people around but leaving their housing benefit claims in situ with original property as to not risk slowing the process of him getting the rent in. (Several of his properties I was in, including that house were closed by Environmental Health.) Nothing of this kind of thing has happened since, and I’ve never contacted Lowell.
I will check out the Identity Theft article though, Thank you for such a rapid response.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You don’t have to prove who did it.
Millie says
Brill! Thank you so much for your advice, I’ll start the ball rolling with the id theft article. 💯