How to dispute a duplicate account on your credit file
Seeing the same debt show up twice on your credit file? That’s not just annoying — it makes your debt look bigger than it actually is and drags your score down. This usually happens when a debt gets sold to a collection agency and both the original lender and the new owner show active entries.
Both entries appearing isn’t always wrong. But both showing an active balance definitely is.
Key takeaways
- When debt is sold, the original lender should show £0 balance and “assigned” status. If they don’t, that’s the error.
- The debt purchaser must use the same original default date — not create a new one.
- Two entries is fine if the original shows £0. Two entries both showing balances is not.
- A new default date from the debt purchaser is contrary to industry guidance and wrongly resets the 6-year clock.
- Start with the original lender — they need to update their entry.
What this should look like on your report
When a debt is sold, the correct recording is: the original lender marks their entry as balance £0, status “assigned” or “transferred”, with the original default date preserved. The debt purchaser adds a new entry with the correct outstanding balance and the same original default date.
Both entries appearing is not itself an error, provided the original shows £0 and “assigned”. The 6-year retention period runs from the original default date for both entries.
When it’s actually wrong
It’s a genuine error when the original entry still shows a balance (double-counting the debt), the debt purchaser has registered a new default date (resetting the 6-year clock), the original lender hasn’t marked the account as assigned or transferred, or both entries show the account as active with a balance.
A debt purchaser creating a new default date is particularly problematic as it artificially extends the time the data stays on your file.
Here’s how to fix it
Get your credit report from all three CRAs.
Identify the two entries — note account numbers, default dates, and balances.
Contact the original lender first — ask them to update their entry to show £0 balance and “assigned” status.
Contact the debt purchaser — make sure they’re using the original default date, not a new one.
If neither cooperates, raise a dispute with each affected CRA.
Escalate to the Financial Ombudsman if needed. The ICO and FOS are clear that debts should not be double-reported.
Evidence checklist
- Account statements from the original lender
- Debt assignment/sale notification letter
- Screenshots of both credit report entries showing the duplication
- Correspondence from the debt purchaser confirming the purchase date
Dispute this with your CRA
Each agency has a different process. Pick yours for a step-by-step guide:
FAQs
Should both entries be removed?
No — just the duplicate. The debt purchaser’s entry is legitimate. The original lender’s entry should show £0 balance and “assigned” status.
Can a debt purchaser create a new default date?
No. The original default date must be preserved. A new default date artificially extends the time on your file — and that’s grounds for dispute.
The debt was sold — who do I actually pay?
The debt purchaser (new owner). The original lender no longer owns the debt. Paying the wrong one by mistake can cause real complications.
Related topics
What to read next
How to dispute a default on your credit file
How to challenge or remove a default on your UK credit report. When defaults are invalid, evidence needed, and how to dispute with each CRA.
How to dispute an incorrect balance on your credit file
How to dispute incorrect account balances on your UK credit report. Evidence needed, common causes, and how to file with each CRA.
How to remove old debt from your credit file
How to remove old debts from your UK credit report. The 6-year rule, statute-barred debt vs credit file removal, and how to dispute.
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