Finding something negative on your credit record is bad enough – but it feels a lot worse if you think it is wrong or unreasonable.
You have the legal right under the Consumer Credit Act to add a “Notice of Correction” to your credit report if you feel something is misleading or you want to provide an explanation.
Contents
What is a Notice of Correction?
A Notice of Correction is something you write to add to an entry on your credit record, either to a judgment (CCJ) or a debt. It has to be less than 200 words long.
Here are two examples suggested by the credit reference agencies:
In 1997 I left a multi-national organisation after 15 years to start my own business. Due to illness of a close family member, I was unable to fulfil all my commitments and my company nearly went under. I am now successfully repaying former debts and will soon have fully repayed them. I have never previously experienced the slightest blot on my character and believe anybody with a previous good record deserves a second chance to prove her true worth. Thank you
I, Mr/Ms XXXXXX, would like to explain the circumstances that led to the judgment dated DD/MM/YY. I became unemployed and my income was reduced to XXXXXX, and therefore unfortunately I was unable to keep the original payment contract. I ask all lenders searching my credit report to take this into account.
Both those examples accept that the entry is accurate and just give some background. You could also say if you feel the entry is unfair, or if you think there is extra information that a future lender should know. For example:
- I only became aware of this CCJ/default in 2022. Until then I had not received any notification about the amount owing and I paid it as soon as I established I did indeed owe the money;
- I don’t think it’s fair that a default was added as I wasn’t given any warning this would happen even though I was making payments towards the debt;
- I am not on the electoral roll as I am an American citizen, but I have lived in the UK for 12 years and at my current address for 3 years.
It’s best to keep it short and factual. Don’t write something which is offensive as the CRA may refuse to publish it. You may have been left with large debts when your thieving, lying, cheating ex walked out, but just refer to your financial difficulty after a relationship breakdown.
Is it worth bothering with this?
A Notice of Correction you add will be supplied to any lender who is looking at your credit record. This doesn’t mean they will change their mind about whether to provide you with credit because of it. It can’t do any harm, but it may not do much good.
It will also slow down applications for credit, as it has to be manually checked, rather than a computer making the decision.
If you are applying for a mortgage, you can’t rely on the Notice of Correction making much of a difference. If you have any problems with your credit record, you should be going through a broker, not applying directly to a lender.
Often you have a better option
If you think something on your credit report is wrong, then you need to complain directly with the creditor. Adding a Notice of Correction is not a way to start a complaint!
Some specific cases:
- send the creditor a Prove It! letter if you don’t recognise the debt;
- if you think the default date is wrong, read What should the default date be?
- when a debt has been sold to a debt collector, it is correct that a second record is added, see My debt has been sold to a debt collector for details.
- if you have paid a CCJ in full but it is still showing a balance being owed, read How to get a paid CCJ marked as Satisfied.
- if the lender has gone bust and can no longer be contacted for a correction, read Correct credit records by “suppressing” them if the lender has disappeared.
Adding a Notice of Correction
There are three credit reference agencies (CRAs) in Britain.
If the problem is with a CCJ, all three CRAs will show the same thing. But you still need to send your Notice of Correction to all three CRAs.
If your problem is with a debt, the three CRAs may have different information showing so you need to check all three CRAs and then contact each of them where you want to add your correction.
When you are sending in your wording, make sure:
- you give your full name, date of birth and address;
- if you are sending a letter, sign it!
How to add a Notice of Correction to Experian
Experian explains how to contact them with your Notice of Correction here . Select “Errors on my Experian report” and then “I want to explain something on my Experian credit report”. As that says, if you have an account with them, it can be done online, otherwise send them a letter.
How to add a Notice of Correction to Equifax
To add a correction to your Equifax record, you need to sign up to their Ask A Question service, then submit it online, as explained here.
How to add a Notice of Correction to TransUnion
You can email a correction to TransUnion at consumer@transunion.co.uk, see TransUnion Credit Report Help for what they need to know.
No credit checks for new mortgage fixes?
My ex has wrecked my credit score
Do I have to pay a debt not on my credit file?
Annie H says
Last year, I received a default judgement as the paperwork had been addressed incorrectly and ended up at my neighbours flat below mine. The neighbours only passed it on to me 2 weeks after the judgement had gone through. No other paperwork had been passed on to me, so I knew nothing about it. I paid the full amount over 2 payments, 31st Jan and 28th Feb, but had missed the one-month deadline because of not receiving the judgement in time.
I have done a full check of my credit report from all 4 major companies – the original 2 I used don’t show it. However, my most recent search including the other 2 companies, do have it listed as satisfied.
I am wondering if I should add a notice of correction to the credit file agencies, or would I be able to have it removed completely, on the basis that the address was incorrect. The solicitors, responsible for collecting the payments, said that the incorrect address meant nothing, as the paperwork had been sent to the address they had on their file and I had eventually received the notification of judgement.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Back last year you could probably have challenged this, but now, having paid it, that isn’t going to work. You may as well add a notice of correction – it costs nothing. So explain you were unaware of the debt as the papers were sent to the wrong address and you paid it as soon as you were aware.
John says
I am in the UK for 3 years (American citizen married to a German national). I have a good job steady, good income, took on a higher interest rate credit card to build credit. But I am not allowed to register to vote; however, credit scores are impacted as to whether or not someone is registered. Would a notice of correction even be of value here? This is very frustrating and quite unfair.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Being registered to vote only adds 50 points to your credit score, it’s not that important. You can add a notice of correction if you want, but it slows down credit applications and may not make much difference anyway. What is your credit score? Are there any problems on your credit record or is it just “thin”?
Gemma Amass says
Hi.
I had a joint mortgage with my ex partner in 2013. I only lived in the property for four months and fled to a women’s refuge/hostel with our New born son, due to domestic violence. I had no contact with my ex for many years but became aware he was missing mortgage payments or paying late.
I had no control over the property, as my ex either lived there or rented it out (but I never received any income from rentals). I couldn’t afford to contribute towards the mortgage because I had left my job due to the violence (I couldn’t keep making excuses up not to go into the office just because I had s black eye etc).
The property couldn’t be sold because it was in negative equity due to the property crash. In later years when my ex and I finally had contact, he wouldn’t let me sign the mortgage over to him (even though he was paying the monthly repayments).
In the end we had to wait until 2018 for house prices to increase and we eventually sold the property in March 2018 and paid off the mortgage. However, late/missing payments are showing on my credit report. Will this affect my future applications for credit, despite the mortgage showing as settled? And will it be worth adding a notice of correction to explain my situation when this will slow down any future applications for credit?
Many thanks
Gemma
Sara (Debt Camel) says
The late payments will stay on your record until 2024 and they will make it harder for you to get more credit.
I think in this case, you should try first for a more effective solution than a notice of correction. I think you should contact the lender and ask for either the negative markers to be deleted or the debt to be removed entirely from your credit record because of the domestic violence. You will need to enclose some evidence, for example that you were in a women’s refuge and any crime reference reports to the police or health records. If you go to your local Citizens Advice, they may be able to help you with this.
Annabel Houston says
I’ve got a loan with for 25k but my credit report shows that I owe them 35k with no reference to that being the full amount repayable if I continue to make repayments for the term of the loan.
I now want to settle the loan but have been told lenders think I owe more than I really do and my previously good credit has been shot to pieces by this. Is it worth adding a notice of correction for this scenario?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It sounds normal to me, the debt should show what you are repaying, not the amount you borrowed. I can’t see a reason to add a Notice of Correction. When you repay the loan it will show as settled.
Sam says
I have an unsettled account notice on my credit file relating to two O2 airtime contracts that ran on beyond a mutually agreed termination. O2 have recognised and accepted the incorrect charge and have credited both accounts. The mistake occurred in late 2014 and it has been on my credit file since then. Should I ask
Them To do Anything other than mark the accounts as settled?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Is the account marked as having any late payments or a default after the mutually agreed termination date? If there are, you should ask for these to be deleted.
Chris says
I had an overdue account with a utility (water) company. My credit report shows 6month late for several months. Throughout the time the late payments show, I was paying a not insignificant amount towards my account, but according to the utility company, not enough to go towards paying the balance.
I have since cleared the full balance, is it worth adding a notice of correction or trying to get the late notices removed?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
This is a matter of fact. If your credit record says you were 6 months late for September 2018 (say) then at that point you should have been 6 months late. Were you? Did you credit reports correctly record the amount you paid each month?
However in practice if you were only 6 months late for 3 months instead of 6, it isn’t going to make much difference to your credit score.
Chris says
At no point was I late in making a payment and always paid the agreed amount. The utility company told me despite making those regular agreed payments, that by the time our next calculated bill came through there would still be an outstanding balance. Their policy in that case is to list it as a debt in arrears. Should I perhaps write to them and ask to review before thinking about a notice of correction?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It is usually worth trying to sort things out with the utility co as no one takes much notice of a Notice of Correction.
Chris says
UPDATE – the utility company (water) have admitted they were at fault as on investigation they have realised I never missed a payment over 6 years and always paid via DD. They are looking into how they contact the CRAs to remove the delinquent notices. Thanks DC!
paul says
i have a credit card with marbles and another with barclaycard..in february i was very ill.. and my payments were late..they have noted my condition..but to my horror i find 2 late payment markers now on equifax..possibly on the other cred.reference agencies..my whole idea was to rebuild credit..and now i see this is the only thing causing a problem on my file ,greatly reducing my score..phoning has not helped..i just get some guy who really has no idea and just unhelpful by default..so i have written to the companies asking understand and if they would delete these markers..do i stand much chance with this?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
If it is just one month, it can be worth trying to get the markers removed but legally they are correct.
I am sorry but this is the reason people should always set up a direct debit arrangement for the minimum payment, in case they are ill or have an emergency which prevents them making a manual payment. If the late payment marker is not deleted, the best thing you can do is pay the balances down to zero as quickly as possible – this will provide some help to your ailing credit score.
s xavier says
Thank you, Sara,
Excellent information.
I went out of the UK for winter 2018, due to a family emergency. Arranged the money to be in the current account for the D.D. Upon my return in February 2019, I found that one of the payment was bounced, due to MBNA (credit card) took the D.D one day than normal, 14th instead of 15th, which was the normal sort of time period. So they raised it in January 2019 about the missed payment. I didn’t get any notification from MBNA or I couldn’t check my current account because the debit card expired in December 2018. I didn’t know about the whole incident upon my return on the 4th Feb 2019 through postal letters. I paid the whole amount and explained to MBNA with evidence but they are unwilling to correct my record.
I have never ever missed a payment in the past 15 years and I am so disappointed with the situation, CFA agreed with MBNA. Do you know if it’s worth taking MBNA to court as I have valid medical records and other evidence to prove the circumstantial situation then an intentionally missed payment?
I appreciate your help.
Regards
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I suggest you send the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman. This has to be done within 6 months of MBNA rejecting your complaint.
It is free and a lot less stressful than going to court, where I think you should take professional advice before starting court case.
s xavier says
Ombudsman got back to me saying since the process of the card company was correct, as they collected the Direct Debit on the date on the statement ( which I didn’t check because I was aborad), ombudsman agreeing with MBNA.
I am left with the choice of ‘notice of correction’ or court!
Any thoughts on the notice of correction?
I will try to take legal advice if I decided to go to court.
Many Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Well I am unconvinced that a Notice of Correction makes a huge difference but I can’t advise a court case. You are much more likely to have a got a “not fair in the circumstances” decision from FOS than in court.
s xavier says
Can the MBNA do note on the circumstances if I could convince them? IS it possible that the lenders so such things? or can do such note on a customer’s account?
Thank you.
KM says
My CCJ only shows up on Equifax meaning my credit is very poor. I have an excellent credit score on the other two Experian and Credit Karma. What does this mean in terms of applying for a mortgage? Also, my CCJ was from a private parking ticket company for parking in the car park where I own a flat but my permit wasn’t visible, they sent all the details to my old address so i didn’t get the court order etc. Is this worth adding a Notice of Correction or does it not make much difference? Many thanks for your help.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You should have applied for the CCJ to be set aside when you found out about. You can talk to National Debtline about this but it may be too late now :(
The fact the CCJ only shows on Equifax just means your old address hasn’t been properly linked to by Experian or TransUnion (the Credit Karma report). This may well get corrected. And most mortgage underwriters check all 3 CRAs, so I don’t think you can hope the CCJ won’t be noticed. Talk to a good mortgage broker about whether a Notice of Correction will make any difference.
KM says
Ok thank you! I did try and get set it aside but because I hadn’t updated my address straight away to the DVLA, they sided with the parking company, despite company knowing my new address! Strange as it has my old address on the other two reports but as you say probably the link. Thanks for your help.
Ainsley Bogle says
I have defaults on my credit report due to house sharing with people and them people not paying there part of the bills. Everyone’s names on the bill and I pay my part… what can I do? Is it good to explain these defaults by notice of correction or is it a waste of time. Only defaults I have on my credit file are because of the people I share a house with.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You can say this in a Notice of Correction. But it may not make much difference to how lenders view you.
Christine Baldwin says
I had a loan taken out in my name that I did not apply for. I have added a notice of correction of my credit file asking lenders to ask me for a password if I do apply for credit. Do they take notice of this.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Have you added the NoC to all three credit reference agencies?
Lenders should see the notice, but if it’s a computer doing the “seeing” Who knows if they will all decline or put a credit application on hold?
My preference here would be to not use NoCs but to sign up for Cifas protection as this article says: https://debtcamel.co.uk/loans-using-your-name-stop-identity-theft/
Elaine says
I have noticed an error within my credit report.
It shows £3000 on a credit card, I contacted my credit card provider who confirmed this is incorrect and they would fix it.
It’s been 2 months and still no change.
What can I do?
How do I know they’ve changed it?
Can you tell me what will the change look like so I know it’s been done?
I am worried as my partner thinks i’m lying to him about the balance on my credit card. It’s causing personal issues between us & I am struggling
Sara (Debt Camel) says
What credit report are you looking at?
Elaine says
All of them: Equifax, ClearScore, Experian and credit karma. I spoke to the bank and they confirmed it should be sorted but it is not. They put me in the direction of the credit report.
I reported the error to all 4, and no change yet.
(Apologies for delay replying, using daughters phone and email)
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Ok, if it’s all of them then it’s definitely the bank’s error, not a problem with the report of the CRA.
Put in a formal written complaint to the bank saying they have not corrected this and you need it resolved ASAP. Send your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman if it is not sorted in 8 weeks.
Adam S says
Hi Sara
I found I have a notice of correction on my file from August 2010 in regards to an IVA that failed and was removed from the insolvency records. I was wondering if its worth contacting equifax to get this removed or if that’s more likely to be a problem?
Many thanks
Adam
Sara (Debt Camel) says
yes you want that Notice of correction removed. Also check if there is one with Experian & TransUnion.
Adam says
Thanks for the reply
I’ve checked the other agencies it doesn’t seem to be on them. I’ve contacted equifax for the removal of it hopefully they will comply.
Many thanks
Adam
Robert says
I’ve been issued a default by an energy provider (gas) for non payment of a bill, even though they agreed I shouldn’t pay at the time, because I was unemployed.
They asked me to complete a budget report through Step Change, saw that I had no income due to my unemployment, but still had monthly bills to pay – so we agreed to defer a payment arrangement until I was back in a job.
I got a new job a few months later. I only found out about the default when I had a mortgage application declined because of it.
Surprisingly (to me) the Ombudsman has declared that the default was issued correctly, because although the energy provider and I had agreed to defer a payment arrangement, they were still within their rights to report that I was not paying, to Experian.
The mortgage provider says they will reconsider my application for lending after 12 months of no arrears, which will be end of January 2020.
Should I add a NOC, so that my application is not automatically rejected by the lenders automated systems?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I am not convinced that a NOC often makes much different to a mortgage application, but you can try.
Robert says
do you have any other suggestions?
I am considering legal action, because the default seems so unfair.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I think you should get professional advice before starting legal action. From what you have said, a default is correct. Your credit record is a record of whether you paid on time, the fact you were in afinacial difficulty so you couldn’t doesn’t mean that arrears should not be reported.
If the mortgage lender will reconsider your application at the end of January, then that is only 2 months away.
Robert says
where should I get professional advice from?
Rachel Strudwick says
My credit reports shows two missed payments for a utility company (water) now over two years old. A standing order was set up from my account for payments but never used as my partner preferred the payments to go out of his account. Should I make a Notice of Correction or it is not really worth bothering with now.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I don’t understand how you set up a standing order which wasn’t used?
Rachel says
After I spoke to them my partner then spoke to them too and switched everything to his account but for some reason my bank details must have been held too and shown as no payment being made
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Well you can add a Notice of Correction but I’m not sure if makes much difference. The important thinks us to stop any more problems happening in future.
Katrina says
Hi,
I have looked on check my file and noticed that I’m associated with someone I don’t know about. (This only showed on Equifax and not on Experian and Transunion) I raised a dispute with equifax and Iv just noticed that Iv now got a notice of correction on my account. Will this affect me getting a mortgage?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Are you in the middle of a mortgage application or just about to start one?
Katrina says
I’m at the beginning. We’re not looking into getting a mortgage until May this year
Sara (Debt Camel) says
ok, well hopefully Equifax will resolve this before you apply. I suggest you chase them in a couple of weeks.
If you do have to apply with this on your credit record, you need to go through a broker, not direct to a lender and tell the broker about the issue at the start.
Katrina says
NOTICE OF DISPUTE – THE INDIVIDUAL CONCERNED HAS DISPUTED THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION REGISTERED AT THIS ADDRESS AND WE HAVE NOW CONTACTED THE SUBSCRIBER CONCERNED. CARE SHOULD THEREFORE BE TAKEN WHEN USING THE DATA AT THIS ADDRESS TO ASSESS THE CREDITWORTHINESS … this is what has been put on? Can I get this taken off?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
um no. That is correct, you say you aren’t linked to that other person. It is the link you want removed, then the Notice should also go.
Katrina says
Thank you for your help, I’m so anxious about it. Shall I chase in a few weeks like you said above?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Yes definitely chase! You should not be linked to someone unless you have a joint bank account or loan with them.
Dave says
Hi,
I was made redundant back in 2015 and at the time I struggled to pay a couple of debts such as my mortgage and utilities. As a result late payment markers were added to my mortgage account for 7 months and a default marker from the utility company. I made a payment arrangement with the mortgage company to pay the arrears over a period of time and the account recently back up to date.
My credit file shows other loans and credit cards over the last 3yrs with no missed payments, but my credit file is tarnished with payment arrangement status and the late payments history from when I was made redundant,
Would it be beneficial for me to add a NOC with all the CRA’s to explain the reasons for the late payment history, or would this make it more difficult for me to get future credit if an underwriter had to view my credit history?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
So your credit cards are back to normal status? Can you say what % of your credit limit you are using? And how much of your overdraft?
Chris Gibson says
Hi, I had a ccj on my file that I didn’t know about, I only found out about this when I went to buy a car, they told me that I could not get the credit due to my credit file, so I registered with Equifax and sure enough there was a ccj 3 years ago, I contacted the court to find out who the ccj was from and they gave me all the relevant information, I contacted the the company and it turned out that it was for a parking fine, I explained that I didn’t know anything about it and it turned out that they sent it to the previous address, to cut a long story shot they accepted that I didn’t live at that address for more than 4 years and gave me a reduced payment so I paid in full and sent me a letter of consent for the ccj to be set aside, I sent all the paper work and proof to the court and the accepted that I did not have the opportunity to pay the fine on time, I in turn sent all the proof to Equifax, after a short time they removed the ccj from my file but have left this comment NOTICE OF DISPUTE – THE INDIVIDUAL CONCERNED HAS DISPUTED THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION REGISTERED AT THIS ADDRESS AND WE HAVE NOW CONTACTED THE SUBSCRIBER CONCERNED. CARE SHOULD THEREFORE BE TAKEN WHEN USING THE DATA AT THIS ADDRESS TO ASSESS THE CREDITWORTHINESS, this does not look good on my file, can I have this removed.
Regards
Chris
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I think you should ask Equifax why they have put that notice there and ask for it to be removed.
Anahita says
Hi, I am in UK for over 3 years with a permanent job and earn well and have savings and all but I am not European but married to a European Citizen. I am not registered in Electoral vote as I am not eligible ad added a notice of correction but the issue is with all the updated information on my address and accounts I still do not even have a credit score it seems. Experian does not give me any information as it said there is not enough information about me to give me any score detail! My address has always been available in bank and I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG with the information they have??? Equifax does show that my electoral register is Red and there is no notice o correction even I have added that 2 years ago! They have my current address (3 years) but not my old one (1 year) and thats it! I have no idea!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
do you have a current account with a bank using your current address?
Julie says
In January this year, I paid off all of my debts. I posted cheques to all of the companies I owed money to, including a loan. They received the cheque on 30th Jan but it took them so ling to deal with the situation & to submit the cheque that by the time my next monthly payment was due in the middle of February, I incurred a ‘default’ on my credit score! I have tried to have this corrected & sent in my complaint. Now I have this on my report > > >
“NOTICE OF DISPUTE – THE INDIVIDUAL, CONCERNED HAS DISPUTED THE ACCURACY, OF THE INFORMATION REGISTERED AT, THIS ADDRESS AND WE HAVE NOW, CONTACTED THE SUBSCRIBER CONCERNED., CARE SHOULD THEREFORE BE TAKEN, WHEN USING THE DATA AT THIS ADDRESS, TO ASSESS THE CREDITWORTHINESS]”
I just wanted to know if this is a good thing or a bad thing?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It isn’t good or bad, it is just a flag that you are saying the info is wrong.
Channel says
Hi, wondering if you can help me. I have just seen on my credit score that i took out a phone in September 2016 with Vodaphone. I have never taken out a phone with them and it has an address which I’ve never lived at. I have tried to speak to somebody from Vodaphone on numerous occasions stating that I have never had an account with them, but they keep fobing me off. Now I don’t know what to do! Do I go to the police? Do I write a letter of correction?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
What credit report are you looking at?
Channel says
Clear score
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It’s hard to tell if the error is with Vodafone or Equifax. I suggest you send ClearScore a dispute saying that you have never had a mobile from Vodafone and you have never lived at that address so you would like the record removed.
Mahdi says
Hi, I am a new comer to the UK with a good job and income, my Experian credit score initially was “fair” and around 816 and then 853 after 4 months. I aimed at building it up to “good” as we are thinking of buying a house after a year or so via getting a mortgage.
Based on the searches around and in spite of no need to buy anything in installments or with credit, I went to two phone credit agreement one for £28 and another one £10. I also opened a LOQBOX account for £150 monthly, All of them with the intention of showing my ability and responsibility and to manage and them regularly and in a on time. I do not have any late payments at all everything is sorted to be ether automatic or via direct debit. I have also recently have my rental report via the CreditLadder. However, I have suddenly lost 78 scores in the months 5 of living in the UK. I have not opened any credit card so far, I am also not eligible for electoral roll.
Just wondering should opening two phone credit accounts as little as £38 in total plus a £150 LOQBOX account should cause that much of loss?
Was my decision wrong to go for such credit accounts and loss that much? Can I expect to gain back that 78 scores after 7 months (when my bank account becomes one year old) and even further to go to the “good” range; if I do not open any other credit account?
Thanks you!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
3 new accounts in a few months is quite a lot. But after 6 months everything should be fine.
Credit ladder does not actually help your headline credit score at all.
Mahdi says
Thanks Sara for the advise.
Do you mean after 6 months, I would be able to gain more than 78 scores that I have lost (considering not opening any other credit account and no missing a payment)?
Regarding your advise for the Credit Ladder I can see it has been count as a Credit account in Equifax! Shall I stop to report it?
So, why many websites advise to use Credit Ladder to report you rental payments?
Regards
Sara (Debt Camel) says
probably!
Credit Ladder doesn’t do you any harm – proving you don’t miss a rental payment. But it isn’t clear that any mortgage lenders pay any attention to it…
James says
June last year my fiance checked her credit reports for the first time and found a default from EE. She had never used EE but remembered having a phone call from them in 2017. Due to phone signal and lack of English at the time she asked them to call her back. On contacting EE and eventually getting through security, EE say that in Nov 2017 she took a SIM contract but neither the sim nor the bills were received in the post. It defaulted in June 2018. When we found this out we paid the debt in June (2020) even though I have never used them. So even though the SIM was never used and due to time there is no record of the original conversation neither EE or the Ombudsman will remove the default. So is there anything we can do to take this further? How much affect would a notice of correction have? And as it was paid in June 2020 (a year since the default was paid) would we need to wait until June 2021 to apply for a mortgage?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Which Ombudsman is this?
James says
Hi Sara. It was through this website that we tried: https://www.ombudsman-services.org/
Sara (Debt Camel) says
did you go through their appeal process? If you did, then it may be your only option is to reject the decision and go to court. I suggest you talk to your local Citizens Advice about this.
James says
Hi Sara. Yes, we appealed the decision (although this was done by the same person who made the original decision – apparently this is normal for them). We did reject the decision. We will look into the citizens advice and court. In the meantime I guess we should put a notice of correction on to explain the situation?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
A Notice of Correction can’t do any harm – but it can’t be guaranteed a lender will pay much attention to it.
wayne says
i was contacted by a debt collector almost 2 years ago for a debt i did not know existed.
i had cancelled my contract with a telecommunications company back in 2014 and due to an error by the original creditor they continued to bill me for a further 5 months without my knowledge.
i only become aware of the debt after the debt collection agency contacted me.
after 2 year battle with them they have now ceased all pursuit of this debt but have left a default on my credit report, i have made several attempts to contact them via email and recorded post to amend or remove the default but all attempts have been ignored.
is there anybody i can list a complaint about this to? the default is unfair and has ruined my credit score.
Weatherman says
Hi Wayne
If you think the default should never have been added, the first step is to complain in writing to the telecoms company. If after 8 weeks they’ve not replied (or they reject your complaint) you can complain to the Ombudsman – it sounds like the 8 weeks might have already passed in your case. There are two ombudsman in telecoms, so your company will only have signed up to one of them, but I’ve linked below to the pages where they list their member organisations. Really the telecoms company should tell you themselves who they’re signed up to – but if they’re just not responding, here’s how you can find out:
https://www.ombudsman-services.org/providers
https://www.cedr.com/consumer-disputes/customer-schemes/telecoms-cisas/companies-covered/
The Ombudsman will consider your complaint and can make a decision that the company *has* to abide by.
Tina says
In 2015 I had an a overdraft with Barclay which exceeded its limit after some charges were put on it without notice. I made complaints but Barclays denied any wrong doing. They offered a small refund however, the account was closed as I couldn’t bring it out of the red. I informed Barclays that I disputed the amount I owed and would not make payments until this was adjusted. Again they denied wrongdoing and started lodging defaults on my credit report. I made no payments towards the debt after that. Unknown to me in 2018 Barclays refunded a substantial sum to the debt cutting it in half. They didn’t notify me but I discovered it in a credit report in 2020 and contact them immediately. It seemed to be for reason similar to my earlier complaint. I then negotiated a partial settlement and cleared the debt. This is the
only negative on my credit report, is it worth the NOC?The only reason I stopped payment was to dispute the amount and it was settled soon after the matter was resolved.
Archana says
Hi,
I missed paying my Thames Water(TW) bill back twice in 2018 as i had moved into a new place then and missed the physical bills. Eventually i set up a direct debit and there was never a delay again. This late payment mark on my file is bothering me as its affecting my score. I requested TW via their online chat service to have this removed as a goodwill gesture but they asked me to contact Equifax. Equifax obviously cant help as the notification to remove needs to come from TW. Can anyone share the email or postal address of the relevant team in TW who can make a decision on this.
Thanks in advance,
Archana
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You can send a complaint to customer.feedback@thameswater.co.uk. Make it clear that the suggestion you were given in the webchat was misleading as Equifax can only change something if Thames Water tells them to. Emphasis your long history of perfect payments and say you are asking for the missed payments to be removed as gesture of goodwill.
Paul Martin says
I moved house but forgot to change the address on my Post Office credit card account.
My wife used the card without me knowing and the statements went to the old address. The account went into default and I only realised when I got an alert from a Credit Reference agency. I immediately paid the account off in full.
It’s still showing as defaulted on my credit file. Is there anything that I can do about this?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
It does not sound as though there is a good reason why the Post Office should remove this default. You could ask them to as a gesture of goodwill, I suppose. I am doubtful this will work.
Keith Jeffery says
In 2019 I had a massive heart attack & told I had to wait for surgery. I was unable to work due to the damage & rang my loan company to inform them. I finally got surgery & returned to work 10 months later. My credit report states I was late repaying on every payment since this but I’ve almost paid the loan back including the arrears. Can I add a notice of correction to inform people. I really want this corrected as I’ve always been a good ontime payer until my heart attack.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Can I ask if you have repaid the arrears already? or are you paying a bit towards them with each monthly payment? How many arrears does your credit record show as having at the moment, and is this the same every month?
Keith Jeffery says
I have completely paid the loan off but have agreed 5 monthly paiyments to clear the £1442 left. The report states late payment on every payment since may 2019 even though I have maintained payment since returning to work & the loan company were fully aware at all times.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Well strictly it should record the number of months you are in arrears. But that would not look better for your credit score so there isn’t much point in asking for it.
You can record a Notice of Correction for any reason you think is relevant. I understand why you want to be seen as someone that pays their debts but had a temporary problem.
I am not sure whether lenders would see it that light though. Might they think – oh he might have another heart attack, better not lend to him? I am sorry, I don’t know of any evidence about whether adding this Notice would help you on future credit applications or not.
What other credit is currently showing on your credit record? Do you have any other loans or credit cards that you are up to date with with no problems?
Josh says
Hi Sara,
In November 2019 I started to pay my debts via payplan and this past August I paid in full all my debts. I never had any CCJs but only defaults applied to my credit file by six lenders. I know that defaults cannot be removed however, back in September I was made redundant and some employers do not like defaults. Is it worthy to add NOC explaining why the defaults? I was in a relationship when I took the loans and my partner was supposed to pay loans with me. All loans were taken under my name. When we split up he did not want to hear anything about it and I found it very difficult to pay and that is why I had to enter DMP to pay off almost 50k. What do you think about it?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Not many employers object to defaults, especially if the debts have now been repaid. I can’t guess whether they would take any notice of a NoC on your credit record.
LC says
Hi Sara, Im in the process of ‘tidying’ up my credit report as im wanting to look at mortgages in the near future. I have some descrepencies id like your advice on, if thats ok. I have two missed payments in 2019. The first being in September due to having a misscarriage and my Mum being diagnosed with a terminal illness, then in December when I lost my Mum. The September payment was missed completely and the December payment was late by about a week. Making payment to my debt didnt even enter my mind as you could imagine.
Im wondering if adding a notice of correction stating this would be worth it? Its for mortgage purposes. I wont mention it if its not really going to make a difference.
TIA
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I am sorry but you would need to talk to a mortgage broker about this.
Emily says
Hi Sara. Sorry if you don’t know the answer to this. If a lender has agreed via email to remove late payments from your credit file but once they pass it to another team that team refuses to – do they have to honour what they initially said in writing? Do I have any grounds to dispute?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
which is the lender and what are the teams? why did the first one agree to remove the default?
Robert says
Hi Sara,
I asked Equifax to remove soft searches from my credit report (I had 26 on there and I thought they looked potentially damaging).
They raised a case to remove them and without telling me, put a ‘Notice of Dispute’ into the Notice of Correction section about the removal of the soft searches, with this wording, in capital letters :
“NOTICE OF DISPUTE – THE INDIVIDUAL CONCERNED HAS DISPUTED THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION REGISTERED AT THIS ADDRESS AND WE HAVE NOW CONTACTED THE SUBSCRIBER CONCERNED. CARE SHOULD THEREFORE BE TAKEN WHEN USING THE DATA AT THIS ADDRESS TO ASSESS THE CREDITWORTHINESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CONCERNED.”
Even more damaging than the soft searches!
I have now asked Equifax to remove this wholly unnecessary and potentially damaging statement from my credit report, which they say will be removed within 24 hours.
I am in the middle of a mortgage application – if the lender sees this statement and declines my application because of it, where do I stand?
Also, why are there so many soft searches on my file?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
have you applied for any insurance recently? that often generates a surprising number of soft searches.
Robert says
I renewed my home insurance policy in June, but these soft searches going back to October 2021, they are from Equifax and Clearscore.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
So the searches remain a mystery. You could query them with the firms that added them – Equifax isnt going to help much.
But these soft searches do your account no harm, no other lender can see them. Including a mortgage lender.
Robert says
ok, thanks.
and the Notice of Dispute?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
they have agreed to remove it, haven’t they?
Robert says
Yes, I am concerned the lender will see it before it is removed.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
well there isn’t much you can do about that. These are very difficult times for the mortgage market, have you talked to your broker?
Robert says
not yet.
I’m in the middle of an application with my current lender (to move home).
If the application is declined, I will go to a broker.
Thank you for your help and advice.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
These are very difficult times, you may be better going to a broker anyway – you may get a much better rate than with your current lender. Unless you are trying to port the current mortgage of course.
Robert says
Yes, I’m trying to port the mortgage.
Robert says
I have been given my notice at work.
My mortgage application is on-going and completion is likely to be before my final day at work.
I will tell my lender immediately – will that mean the move won’t be able to happen? Is there anything I can do?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Have you exchanged? Did you get this mortgage offer through a broker?
Robert says
I have not exchanged yet.
Mortgage offer is direct from the lender, no broker.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Then I can’t say what will happen as you are porting this mortgage.
If the mortgage offer is pulled, as you are also selling your current property, you may need to pull out of that.
I think you should talk to a mortgage broker about your options – there may not be any nice ones but you need to know what they are.
Robert says
I am porting my current mortgage to the new property and will borrow less.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I am sorry, I don’t know what you expect me to say. Porting and the reasons it can be refused is complicated. Losing your job certainly doesn’t help this. Please talk to a broker who can give you proper advice.
Robert says
ok, thank you for your advice
Johanna says
Hi, I have never had any missed payments or bad debt. I am in the process of renting and therefore credit checks will be done. I checked my credit record and noticed a missed payment in December which I didn’t know about. It’s from my energy supply company. I always pay by direct debit. They moved me over to another of their systems and did not take the payment. I received an email from them saying THEY had by mistake not taken my payment by direct debit. I immediately paid the amount manually with my debit card. Now I have a missed payment mark against me. I have proof of the email from them and all the direct debit payments to them always on time, except when they omitted to take their direct debit. I have contacted the company, what do I do in the meantime, until they have corrected their error and cleared my credit record?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You can add a notice of correction as the article above says. I don’t know if that will make it easier to rent. Plenty of people do manage to rent privately with a missed payment on their credit record.
Johanna says
Thank you Sara, this is all incredibly stressful. But it looks likely sometimes a Notice of Correction can do more harm than good? Would it be better to explain to the estate agent or landlord directly before checks are done?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I can’t really guess the answer to that.
Robert says
Hi Sara,
I contacted Equifax because there is a credit agreement in my credit report from a bank that I don’t recognise.
The bank is investigating and has placed a Cifas marker on my credit report.
Will this marker affect my ability to get credit?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
There are lots of possible CIFAS markers – some show that you have been a victim of fraud – that doesn’t hurt your ability to get credit.
Robert says
ok, thank you
Jay says
Hi Sara,
Just a quick one – my credit report had bank accounts and addresses of someone with the same name as me, but I managed to get these removed. However, my score dropped because it’s showing that my credit limit decreased from £10k to £500 (when it was never £10k to begin with). Is it worth adding a Notice to explain this or does it not really matter?
Thanks!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Not worth it. A future lender looking at your credit record cares about what it shows now. They don’t know what it showed before (when it was wrong) and if they did they wouldn’t care. So there is no reason explain what it has fallen.
Is the £500 limit in a card wher you are using a lot of that limit.