British Gas and Experian...

SwanJon

karatedragon wrote: »

until now none of the utilities reported payment history.

this is true, but I'd place money on the fact it is not what you meant.

I believe that all suppliers have reported non-payment history, just not in the level of detail British Gas are now doing (and yes, they are now including payment history)

spiro

If BG are doing it and checking rating when you join them you can bet the others will start to do the same. It has been shown that when it comes to paying monthly bills utilties are way down the list below mobile phones, Sky etc. If they all report and check if you pay you utilities late then they may only offer things like DD tariffs rather than cash/cheque to ensure they are paid on time.

KimYeovil

Just look at the number of posters here who boast at how they have accrued hundreds (at least) of pounds of debt and look at it at a useful way to (un)balance their budget - they can continue to pay for their satellites and their mobile phones and just not pay their utility bills. They know they can't be cut off.

The sooner every supplier does this the better.

Myamoth

Hi OP, BG will be on your credit report when you get it - they appeared on mine several months ago, a full entry just like credit cards etc, complete with payment history. I was a little surprised, as this is the first time I've ever seen a Utility company on there, but as long as people pay their bills on time there is no reason why it should cause a problem. It's more annoying when fifiteen searches of your credit report show up just because you've been shopping around for car insurance - why do they need to search your credit report just to provide a quote!! :mad:

littletommytucker

BG only started including it in the terms and conditions several years back, and only started to action this about six months ago. So unless you have moved house or changed tariff in the past few years, then they probably won't be reporting your data to experian.

Going back to what you said previously, gas and electricity are a necessity and therefore should be paid first along with mortgage/rent. If an elderly person is struggling to pay these "necessities" then any potential loan companies etc should surely be made aware of this when making a decision as to whether provide them with credit or not?

neolight90

I had BG at my old address that I moved out of May 2009, I paid my final gas bill and thought that was the end of it, but December I checked my file with creditexpert like I always do each week and saw that it had a 6 month arrears from BG. I rang them up and they said that I had skipped out without paying, I said but if you look I rang and paid the final bill, but it seemed they kept on charging me untill July even though I told them I was moving, no matter what I do they won't change it even though I proved I did not live there at that time, they said because I did not provide a meter reading which I did! they had to guess how much I owed, so I guess I am paying for someone else then!

They knew I did not live there as when I moved I tried setting up with Eon at my new place and the Electric was stalled for 5 months as I was unsure who I was with as the landlady was not clear, it turned out it was BG who I did not want to be with, so they send me a 5 month bill which was high and I said I will have to pay this off over several months.

They were not happy with this and proceeded to add 2 months arrears on my account, so now I have a 6 month arrear from my old address and a 2 month arrear from my new address which has ruined my credit file some what.

I have pretty much cleared the bill for my new place and I am thanksful I am with eon who do not post on my credit file. I tried to pay the bill for the old address to get it off my credit file, which even if I pay will still there with a 6 month arrears looking at me which anyone can see. But get this when I tried to pay they said no sorry we won't take your money we sold it on to a debt collectors I said I don't deal with debt collectors and this is your error as I paid the final bill let me pay you!

They said no and I have no idea who the debt collector is as they could not tell me.

What now!

spiro

neolight90 wrote: »

I tried to pay the bill for the old address to get it off my credit file, which even if I pay will still there with a 6 month arrears looking at me which anyone can see. But get this when I tried to pay they said no sorry we won't take your money we sold it on to a debt collectors I said I don't deal with debt collectors and this is your error as I paid the final bill let me pay you!

They said no and I have no idea who the debt collector is as they could not tell me.

What now!

Some of the big suppliers are now selling debt from customers who have moved to third parties who then own and chase the debt. It improves the suppliers cash flow whilst leaving debt collection to the experts which energy suppliers are not (horses for courses).

karatedragon

It is all very well them reporting to these CRA's but if they get it wrong they can ruin someone's credit rating. I think there is more scope for a utility to get billing wrong than say a Credit Card company. So if BG lodged negative information incorrectly and it ruined your Mortgage or made you get a higher interest rate how do you sue BG for their error??? How do you put a price on your previous good credit rating???

never-in-doubt

See here: Why is British Gas Trading on my credit report?

Gerrard_8_lfc

I hope all suppliers start doing this.

You could argue that if you are in debit to a supplier you are getting a free loan. So why should people who pay on time not get any benefit now they get a improved credit rating.

People now a days are paying things that they feel are more important i.e sky / virgin and leaving utility bills which in the long term may lead to higher prices.

This really shouldn't be a big issue unless you owe BG money. You would not default on your mortgage so don't do it with utility bills and you will be fine. If you do and it forces a higher interest payment it is no ones fault but your own IMO.