Bad credit application claims. Help and advise needed.

codygirl

Applied on line to First utilities to supply my gas and electricity. After weeks of waiting recieved the following e.mail

We're sorry...

Thank you for your recent application for energy supply from first:utility.


Unfortunately we are unable to supply you with energy as your credit application has been denied. As with any situation like this we're unable to tell you why this has happened. However you can get more information by writing to the credit agency and requesting a report. Their details are:

Call Credit
Consumer Services
PO Box 491
Leeds
LS3 1WZ

Equifax Plc
Credit File Advice Centre
PO Box 1140
Bradford
BD1 5US

Consumer Help Service
Experian Limited
PO Box 8000
Nottingham
NG80 7WF


N.B you may be required to pay a small fee to obtain a copy of your file.

Firstly, i don't own any body any large amount of money, credit card cleared every month, bills paid D.D, there is no outstanding debts. So why are they saying this. Where can I go, that I am not charge, to find out what this means. I am realy worried as I need to change provider as I am paying over the odds for gas and electricity.

codygirl

dogshome

Hi Codygirl - It's a fact life that the wonderful software records kept by the Credit Reference Agencies, are sometimes wrong, but when that does it happen, it's up to you as the consumer to start the ball rolling to sort it out.
First Utility have gone the extra mile in giving you full details of who to contact, and I'm afraid you have little choice but to do just that
Best of Luck

Premier_2

Check your credit history files to see what's on them. There could be something alarming (even if it's an error). I think it's £2 each, but you might be able to get them for free.

Remember, creditors credit score you. If you have no history of credit, that is actually seen as bad as it is an unknown risk (although you do say you have a credit card)

It could also be that you possibly appear to move address too often, or worse still are not on the electroral register. (difficult to track down should you do a runner owing money)

All you can do is look at your files and if there is nothing amiss, just put it down to they are not prepared to offer you credit at this time.

macman

My guess is that you're not on the electoral roll there-or just an error at Equifax/Experian. How long have you been at this address?

olly300

macman wrote: »

My guess is that you're not on the electoral roll there-or just an error at Equifax/Experian. How long have you been at this address?

The length of time at your current address should not affect you when you apply to change companies. As many people, both home owners and tenants, change suppliers as soon as they move in to a new property or shortly afterwards. This means they don't have time to be on the electoral roll at their current address. I know I did without any hassle.

However the length of time at a previous address, and matters affecting your credit rating at that previous address will affect you now.

codygirl

macman wrote: »

My guess is that you're not on the electoral roll there-or just an error at Equifax/Experian. How long have you been at this address?

Ive been here 1 year.

I have had no other problems. (Took out a store card to save 5% when doing a large shop when daughter going away in June, bill paid in full.)

The only other things I can think of are

1. Went back to my maidan name.

2. My ex has ran up a large amount of debt which could be attached to old marital home. I don't know if that would affect me but I had to list address.

3. The Post office gave my details to a debt collecting agency for a bill which had been paid when it was ment to be.

codygirl

olly300 wrote: »

The length of time at your current address should not affect you when you apply to change companies. As many people, both home owners and tenants, change suppliers as soon as they move in to a new property or shortly afterwards. This means they don't have time to be on the electoral roll at their current address. I know I did without any hassle.

However the length of time at a previous address, and matters affecting your credit rating at that previous address will affect you now.

I already changed companies when I moved in, I got sucker by a sales man from British gas and got myself tied in to 2011 hence the silly rates I am paying.

macman

I think items 2&3 will be the source of your problem then! You need to disassociate your self from those debts. Get your Experian/Equifax records and see what is on them to sort it out.
You didn't say if you are on the electoral roll, if not that will also reduce your credit score.

bILLS_4

Why don't you get a free 30 day trial of your credit record. You can get one via this site. Also if you contact them they should be able to advise you why it has failed. They say they can't but I have done this else where in the past.

macman

bILLS wrote: »

Why don't you get a free 30 day trial of your credit record. You can get one via this site. Also if you contact them they should be able to advise you why it has failed. They say they can't but I have done this else where in the past.

You didn't insert your link.
How can the utility company tell you why you fail a credit score? All they get from Experian/Equifax is the score. They set their own threshold and you pass or fail. They have no access to the credit data itself.