Debt Recovery and Experian

CosmicTen

I recently noticed on my Experian report an outstanding debt for £65 from British Gas. As far as I was aware I never missed in a bill in my life. This all started when Nationwide reduced my credit limit from 4K to £500, and so I investigated when they said it was something on my report.

I was going to chase this in time, BG couldn't find it when I spoke to them last month, until I got a letter today from Moorcroft Debt Recovery, addressed to me but for next doors house number.

To cut a long story short and after a couple of phone calls between BG and Moorcroft, when I moved from my previous house in 2009, they had sent the final bill to the wrong house, then sold the debt to one company, and then again to Moorcroft by which point I was lucky to get the letter.

My question - I asked BG if they would sort out the mark on my Experian report as they had the address wrong, they said they would mark it as settled but that is all as I should have 'expected' a final bill. I kind of agree to some extend but then who is proactive about bills when you've just moved? So, what should I expect out of BG and what should I ask them to do on my Experian report. It's the only thing 'bad' on there amongst years of settled loans and cards and always having good credit card limits applied.

The report for the British Gas entry shows Status History 654

Secondly, any idea how long I should wait before applying for a credit card. I've had loads in the past, until recently when down to Amex and NW, which I closed both for various reasons. I cleared all my debt over a year or more ago.

Cheers!

DarkConvict

They do have to send a default notice and final bill, however I am unsure how it affects you when they were sent to the wrong address.

Default will likely be covered by the OFT, so give them a call (could also try consumer direct) and see what they say. A default notice is to give you time correct the problem before a default is placed, in the hassle of house moving I understand how things can be forgotten.

Tixy

did they send the final bill to your old address? Or to your new address but with the wrong house number?

CosmicTen

Thanks both.

Well I don't know as I never got any bills or anything, but basically I'm assuming they would have sent it to the new (incorrect) address as thats the address they had, as did the debt collectors. So next door would have got lots of mail I suspect. The new property (as they're both rented) is with a different supplier so no longer with British Gas.