British Gas appearing on Credit Report as Active Accounts?

iscrimger

I regularly view my credit report and today on checking I had 2 new accounts.

British Gas - Gas/Electricity are showing up as 2 new accounts on my credit report.

I pay my bill quarterly as I have done for the past 3 years and this has never appeared on my credit report - Why have they now suddenly switched to some sort of 'credit offering' facility?

Has anyone else experienced this?

Vestra

Your paying for your usage after you use it, therefore they are offering you credit.

iscrimger

As I have been doing for 3 years and this has never appeared on my credit report.

I'm well aware paying after I've used it is a form of credit I just want to know why after 3 years.

Vestra

Energy companies are cracking down and trying to get everyone paying by direct debit. So this could be related?

Joyful

As of now your details will show for the first time on the credit reports if you are a British Gas customer. This means that people should not delay in settling bills as their credit may be affected. I was surprised to find we did not already do this as catalogues, loans etc all show up so why shouldn't an energy company who are giving 3 months interest free credit also be on there.

KimYeovil

And not before time. It is, surely, a win-win for all, Iscrimger?

It promotes payment on time, it gives you any prompt payment discounts, it lowers admin costs. There are plenty of people who can afford to pay their bills on time who just do not bother because they know they have a couple of months until anything bad will start to happen. It should also help those who find it more difficult to pay on time by inculcating a better sense of discipline and grown-up behaviour.

smidgey

It's been part of an ongoing project here which is now nearing completion. Reporting to credit agencies is just one part of the entire project.

British Gas is second from bottom in the list of things to pay! Amazingly Sky TV comes second after peoples rent/mortgage. Why? Probably because Sky will cut you off almost immediately if you don't pay.

Needless to say people often refuse to pay their gas and electricity bills because of how long it takes for any serious action to occur. Hopefully this will encourage people to pay their bills on time :beer:

PNPSUKNET

People think that they can fob elec and gas companys off, too many people giving false details etc and companys cant afford it. I agree with all the above you pay for the other stuff so why not gas & elec

YowserTowser

Joyful wrote: »

As of now your details will show for the first time on the credit reports if you are a British Gas customer. This means that people should not delay in settling bills as their credit may be affected. I was surprised to find we did not already do this as catalogues, loans etc all show up so why shouldn't an energy company who are giving 3 months interest free credit also be on there.

Here here - the energy companies have always been last in the pecking order when it comes to paying off debts. I for one am glad they have started doing this as I will finally get a credit rating :rotfl:

Another PROUD British Gas employee:j