When a customer fails to pay a debt with a lending institution or credit card company on time, they are required by law to be sent a warning letter before a default is issued against their name. This letter will state such things as:
- The amount of money owed
- How far behind they are on the debt
- What can be done to correct the situation
- How long they have to make these corrections
- What will happen if they don’t make the corrections within the given time period
Unfortunately, however, mobile phone companies are bound by no such laws. Therefore, they are lawfully able to place a default against a person’s credit without notice. Often, the customer may not even be aware that the action has taken place until they try to apply for a loan or a credit card. At this point, their only option is to try to get the default removed.
Steps to take before attempting to remove a Mobile Phone Default
The only person who can get the default notice taken off of your credit score is the mobile phone company. Often, they are reluctant to do this, because they feel it is the only recourse they have to get the money from you. Therefore, you have a much better change of having success if you take the following steps before attempting to convince your mobile phone company to remove the blemish:
- Pay the debt in full immediately
- Take steps to ensure it never happens again
- Begin paying your mobile phone bill one to two weeks in advance
If you are unable to do those things, it may still be possible to get the default removed. However, it will be much more difficult.
Important factors to be aware of
Even for customers who have since corrected their mistakes, mobile phone companies can be incredibly stubborn when it comes to removing defaults. In fact, only about 20% of people have success. If you want to be among them, you should be prepared to do the following:
- Go straight to the top. Use the Internet to find out who the CEO of the company is, and contact them directly. Not only are those in the customer service department unlikely to help you, they probably don’t have the authority to do so even if they wanted to.
- Keep trying. More than likely, your first attempt will not work. Be prepared expend a lot of effort to get what you want.
- Be courteous and professional at all times. No one likes to be talked down to or treated in an unkind manner. If you fall into the trap of getting angry and lashing out at the mobile phone company, you are almost certain to fail.
How to get the Default removed
There are two things a person can try when it comes to getting a mobile phone default removed. They do not work all of the time, in fact they fail more often than not, but they have worked in the past and they are the only options you have. They include:
- Citing contract law
- Using sympathy
Contract Law
Contract law states that any person guilty of a “breach of contract” is required to be sent a notice about their violation and given time to correct it. Some people have had success with sending a letter to their mobile company stating this fact and arguing that, since this was not done, the default is illegal and should be removed. This letter should include the following:
- Your address
- The address of the mobile phone company
- The date
- Your mobile phone number and account number
- The date the default was issued
In addition, it should be written respectfully and kept short and to the point. If the mobile company does not reply, or does not reply favourably, it may be a good idea to try again, using a slightly different angle. If that does not work, then perhaps it’s time for the sympathy ploy.
The Sympathy Strategy in a Nutshell
The sympathy strategy involves trying to get the company on your side by making them feel empathy for you. To use it, write another letter to the Managing Director. Address the following issues:
- What caused the default to happen
- The relatively small amount of the debt
- The effect the default is having on your family
- The fact that you have since paid the debt (if this is the case)
- What steps you have taken to ensure that your bills are paid in the future
It is important that this letter be kept to a maximum of one page. Otherwise, it may not get read. If the MD still refuses to help you, send him another letter. Thank him for his reply, change the wording of the original letter, add or subtract from it, try to solidify some of your points, and put it in the mail. Be prepared to do this as many times as necessary. Eventually, you may get your default removed simply because the MD wants to get you off of his back.
If all else fails
If you have followed all of the above steps and still have not been able to get the default removed, your only option is to begin rebuilding your credit. It may take several years, but eventually the effect of the default will be diluted enough that it won’t be noticeable.
