Check If You Qualify

How can you contest a default on your credit file?

Credit Score

David Tannock - Updated - 23rd February 2026 - 2 minutes to read

Fees apply. May not be suitable in all circumstances. Your credit rating may be affected.

Moneyhelper Logo

MoneyHelper is a free independent service available to customers offering debt counselling, debt adjusting and providing of credit information services.

What options do I have if there is a default on my credit file?

A default is a formal marker placed on your credit file which denotes that you have missed a payment on a financial contract such as a loan, credit card, mortgage, or a household bill.

If you’ve had a default placed on your credit file it can affect your financial situation in a number of ways. The drop in credit rating makes it more difficult to obtain borrowing, and in some cases, it can even affect your employment.

Defaults remain on a credit file for six years so this is a long-term impact rather than a temporary inconvenience. This is why if you believe the default is incorrect, it’s important to contest it so your credit record can be updated to reflect the true situation.

But how can you contest a default on your credit file, and what is the first step to take?

Order a credit report from the main credit reference agencies (CRAs)

Three main credit reference agencies exist in the UK – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. The information held with each one can differ, however, so it’s important to order a copy from each agency.

If a default appears on one report, it could also be present on another, in which case you may need to contest an entry two or more times.

Scotland Debt Calculator

Get a rough indication of what your repayments might be under each of our different debt solutions.

Your Total Debt

£0 - £5,000

£5,000 - £10,000

£10,000 - £20,000

£20,000+

Your Employment Status

I am employed

I am self-employed

I am unemployed

I am a student

I am retired

Your Total Monthly Income

£0 - £1,000

£1,000 - £2,000

£2,000 - £3,000

£3,000+

What can you pay monthly towards your debt?

£0 - £100

£100 - £200

£200 - £300

£300+

What does a default means to lenders?

When a default is on your credit file, lenders believe there’s a likelihood you won’t pay your debts on time and may even stop repayments altogether - this illustrates just how damaging a default can be and why you need to contest it if it’s incorrect.

So why might a default marker have been incorrectly placed? Lenders and other creditors do make mistakes when reporting information to credit reference agencies, with examples of errors including:

  • Reporting the same missed payment twice
  • Flagging up your credit account in error
  • Using a default maker incorrectly

How to contest a default marker?

  • Contact the creditor who has registered the default - you’ll need to present documentary evidence to support your case, such as credit card statements, bank statements, or receipts. If the creditor argues the default marker is correct, get in touch with the credit reference agencies.
  • Once you’ve identified which credit reference agencies show an incorrect default marker you can file a dispute with the agency or agencies concerned. Each will have their own method for doing so, but it typically involves downloading and completing a form from their website.
  • The credit reference agency will investigate the default, but if they aren’t able to change your credit file you’re entitled to state on your credit report that you believe the default to be incorrect. This is done via a statement (of up to 200 words) that appears next to the disputed item, so anyone reading your credit file will see you don’t agree with the default and will hopefully take that into account when making their decision as to whether to lend you money.

You are only able to contest a default on your credit file if you believe it has been marked in error. If you have missed the contractual repayments on any of your debts, the default will remain.

If you have defaulted on your bills or other debt repayments, you should take this as a sign that all is not well with your financial situation and seek professional guidance as soon as possible. 

There are a range of debt solutions out there designed to help people just like you escape their debt problems. For immediate help and advice as to your options please call Scotland Debt Solutions. We specialise in helping Scottish residents to escape debt, and can help you work towards a brighter future.

facebook colour icon linkedin colour icon messenger colour icon whatsapp colour icon email colour icon
David Tannock

David Tannock

Debt Adviser

Other Articles

What happens if you can't keep up your DAS payments? Sad woman sitting on the floor looking at debts
DAS

What happens if you can't keep up your DAS payments?

A Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) is designed to help you repay your debts through a series of affordable monthly payments, with interest and charges frozen for the duration of your Debt Payment Program...

What happens if you miss a payment on your Trust Deed? Woman on the phone holding a credit card
Trust Deed

What happens if you miss a payment on your Trust Deed?

If you're in a Trust Deed and your financial circumstances have changed, you may be worried about what happens if you can't keep up with your monthly payments.

What's the difference between an IVA and a Trust Deed in Scotland? Thoughtful Man Looking At Laptop
Trust Deed

What's the difference between an IVA and a Trust Deed in Scotland?

If you live in Scotland and you've been looking into ways to deal with unmanageable debt, you may have come across the term Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA).

All articles

Our 3 Step Process

Calculator
1.
Complete our easy to use Debt Calculator
Sds Man
2.
Your advisor will discuss your options and recommend right course of action
Piggy Bank
3.
Choose the option which is right for you based on your personal circumstances
Get Started Today - Debt Calculator

We'll give you a call

Our Scottish based team can help advise you on your debt problems.

Title

dropdown arrow
  • Mr.
  • Mrs.
  • Ms.

Employment Status

dropdown arrow
  • Employed
  • Self-Employed
  • Unemployed
  • Student
  • Retired

Total Debt

dropdown arrow
  • £0 - £5,000
  • £5,000 - £10,000
  • £10,000 - £20,000
  • £20,000+

Total Monthly Income

dropdown arrow
  • £0 - £1,000
  • £1,000 - £2,000
  • £2,000 - £3,000
  • £3,000+
Here at Scotland Debt Solutions we take your privacy seriously and will only use your personal information to contact you with regards to your enquiry. We will not use your information for marketing purposes. See our Privacy Policy.

Tools

Useful Tools

Personalised Debt Report
Usp Planner

Personalised Debt Report

Our personalised debt report will help you better understand your financial position and see where your money is going.

Debt Report
Instant Scheduled Call & WhatsApp
Headset

Instant Scheduled Call & WhatsApp

Arrange a call with an advisor at a time to suit you or contact our team via WhatsApp for immediate help and advice.

Arrange Callback
Find a Local Office
Usp Signpost

Find a Local Office

We have five offices located across Scotland. Find your nearest one here.

Find an Office

OUR SERVICES

We can help you with...

Sequestration
Umbrella Icon

Sequestration

Sequestration is the Scottish version of bankruptcy and may be suitable for you if you do not have the money to pay back your debts

Find out More
Trust Deeds in Scotland

Trust Deeds in Scotland

A Trust Deed involves making a monthly contribution to your debts for up to four years. After this time any remaining debt included in the Trust Deed will not need to be paid.

Find out More
Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS)
Secure Payment Icon

Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS)

A Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) lets you pay off your debt through a series of manageable instalments over a reasonable length of time.

Find out More
Business Debts in Scotland
Briefcase Icon

Business Debts in Scotland

Whether you are a sole trader or a limited company director, we can help you work through your current financial problems including money owed to HMRC

Find out More

Our Insolvency Practitioners are regulated by ICAS or the IPA and our firm is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

We have FCA authorisation for advice relating to Debt Arrangement Schemes and we are regulated by the ICAS and IPA when giving advice as an insolvency practitioner leading to our appointment in formal insolvency proceedings

 

Fees and Information: There are fees associated with our services. These will be fully explained before entering into any of the personal debt solutions referred to on this website. Full details of our fees and how these are charged are fully explained to you prior to you committing to any particular service.

ICAS Insolvency Practitioners