Crossword Genius

Didn't pay up - a shortcoming indeed (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

defaulted

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'didn't pay up a' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'shortcoming indeed' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'shortcoming' could be 'fault' (I've seen this before) and 'fault' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'deed' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for defaulted that I've seen is " Neglected".)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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