Oh my God!!! Help :(

nikibockerglory

Hi Everyone,

I have recently obtained my credit report from Experian and I then noticed a default from British Gas. Details below:


BRITISH GAS TRADIN... Public Utility Default £20 07/12/2008
ENTRY NUMBER: C8

Name:
MISS N xxxxxxx
Address:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Company name:
BRITISH GAS TRADING
Account type:
Public Utility
Started:
15/08/2006
Default Balance:
£20
Current Balance:
£20

Defaulted On:
08/06/2007
File Updated for the Period to:
07/12/2008

Previously I had not updated my details with Experian to show my previous previous address so had not noticed this default until now.

I moved out of the property in question on Friday 24th June 2006 and informed British Gas I was doing so, along with other bills ie NTL/Virgin Media. However the account above was opened on Tuesday 15th August 2006, nearly 8 weeks after I had moved out? Am I right in thinking that the "started" part of the above is the date the account was opened?? I have rang and asked Experian this and that have said yes. Just seems really odd.

I have telephoned and paid the outstanding balance today 19/05/2010, however I do not believe the debt to be mine as if I am right about the "started" part I had moved out of the property before the account was opened. I was not informed that I owed any money when I rang to inform BG I was moving home, and I did not receive any letters or a notice of default to then my new address that I provided

I have asked them to provide all letters relating to the above issue (warning letters, default notice and dates and times of any phone calls around the start date of the account) and asked if this could be looked into further.

It is such a small amount and I am not the kind of person to allow £20 to ruin my chances of obtaining credit etc. I am totally gutted as this is stopping me from getting a mortgage with my partner, even though we have 35k deposit. Do any of you have any advice?


Many thanks in advance,
Nic

Tixy

Hi

With companies like British Gas they do not routinely report to the CRAs but only report once there is an issue. I therefore think that in this case it is possible the started date could be the date they first decided to put it on your credit file, especially as the amount is low so could be a final bill.

Although that would not explain the default date being 2007.

nikibockerglory

Flippin heck I'm confused! :wall:

There should be a minimum amount owed that they can default against! £20 sodding quid stoppin me from getting a mortgage and it is their word against mine!! Gutted totally gutted

Tixy

Might still be worth trying to get the default removed. Your debt or not you certainly would not have defaulted in June 07 (they are supposed to apply a default within 6months max from when you stopped paying).

Someone should be able to help you find out if you can get this removed by one means or another (there are a couple of possible options), perhaps check back later and see if someone more knowledgeable in this area has replied.