Names and identifying details in this case study have been changed to protect our client’s privacy.

Ryan did what his energy company told him to do. That’s how he ended up with a default.

He’d queried charges on his account with a large energy retailer. They told him there was a fault in his area, that the bill was a mistake and that he shouldn’t pay it. So he didn’t.

Diagram of how this case was resolved: told not to pay a bill, two accounts merged, retailer admitted error, removed in 6 days

Later, when Ryan applied for finance, he was declined. There was a default on his file for around $4,000.

What the default was doing

Ryan’s broker referred him to us. A $4,000 utility default is enough to stop most mainstream lenders cold, and it was sitting there over a bill he’d been told was wrong.

What we found

When we went through the account history, the problem was clear. The retailer had taken the balance from Ryan’s old account, the one in dispute, and combined it with the balance on his new account. Then it listed a default on the total.

Why it came off

The retailer admitted it shouldn’t have listed the default, because it had combined the debt from the old account with the new one. Once it admitted that, the listing came off.

The result

We started on 15 September. The default was removed on 21 September, 6 days later. Ryan could apply for finance again.

What this means for you

If a provider told you not to pay something, and then defaulted you for not paying it, write that down and keep any emails. Disputed amounts and account mix-ups are some of the strongest grounds we see. Our credit repair lawyers can request the account history and check it.

This is a past matter. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect our client’s privacy.

Results depend on individual circumstances. Every credit file is different, and a past result doesn’t guarantee the outcome of your matter. This case study is general information, not legal advice.

Don’t spend another month stuck in Credit Prison. Call our credit repair lawyers on 1300 667 218 or book a 15-minute intro call at https://mycralawyers.com.au/15min-credit-repair-intro-call/ . If we think your chances are low, we’ll tell you straight.

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