CONFUSED Full and final NOT WITH zero balance?

A question about : CONFUSED Full and final NOT WITH zero balance?

As some of you know, I'm in the process of doing full and final settlements. I used a pretty standard letter to set out my terms, including that I wanted the balance to show as zero on my closed accounts.

Recently, I had a letter from KPR AKA Nationwide saying they agreed to the settlement and that they would write off the balance. So I rang to make the payment, but then the problems started. The man on the phone said the balance would still show on my credit file but that Nationwide would not pursue it. I said that was not my terms and also conflicted with their letter but he would not budge and maintained that was standard practice for his company. He also ominously said that he has had several customers having done the settlement ringing to query this and has had to inform them of the same.

In these circumstances, I refused to pay and said I would contact my Citizens Advice agent before making a final decision. She said that it is either a case of:
a) the guy does not know what he is talking about. Apparently, you can't flag a partially satisfied account without it showing a zero balance.
or
b) this is NOT a full and final settlement and I might be at risk for the balance if I pay now.

Please can I take some views here? Am I at risk? Can you insist on a zero balance? Is it possible to close an account and leave a balance on it?

Many thanks to everyone.

Best answers:

• You can't insist on anything, you are paying less than you owe.
• 3 creditors told me the same, all showing as 0 balance on my credit file. As long as you have the letter saying it will be settled and the rest written off you don't have to worry about anyone chasing you
• glentoran99 - they said a balance would show but it doesn't?
  I'm wondering whether it's actually possible to have a closed account showing more than a zero balance? My CA advisor seemed to think all closed, satisfied or settled accounts, will show zero.
• Once an account is closed, its moved to the "closed accounts" section of your file.
  This does not effect your rating, as far as I am aware, so will be irrelevant what balance is showing.
• Can a satisfied, fully and finally settled account show a balance other than zero on credit reports?
• https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...47&postcount=7
  this is what your looking for
• Have recently settled 3 'partial settlements' all balances showing as zero on credit files, 2 marked as satisfied only 1 (halifax) followed through with the partial settlement flag
• As a footnote the letter from aktiv (it is UK) after payment said we are pleased to confirm your accoung has reached zero balance and is now closed