British Gas - Default Notice

mickeyd007

Dear All,

After reaching a point in my life whereby my career is going well, I have regular income and a large deposit on my new house, I have been refused a mortgage despite what I thought to be a good credit score. I was advised to check with experian and it seems I have a default on my account from British Gas.

This was from 2007 and I remember the circumstances.

Upon switching energy provider (not long after moving in) I had a electricity bill £100 in credit and a gas bill £187 in debit. British Gas had previously sent me letters addressed to the occupier in which they asked for payment of £105. British gas said I couldn't move providers until their bill was settled.

So despite repeated times explaining this on the phone that actually they owed me money, I got referred to a debt collection agency. When I explained the situation to them, they suggested I go back to British Gas and even gave me a number to call. I spoke to a high ranking person (at least I think), and they said they would look into it for me. After not hearing from anyone and the succesful transfer of my energy supplier, I assumed the matter was resolved.

Obviously not and now I face a dilemma.


Things I know I did wrong

• Not chasing up the phone call to see if the matter had been resolved.
• Not checking my credit history sooner
• Paying a bill addressed to the occupier (of which they say they can't refund me)
• Assuming things to be ok when they weren't

Is anyone able to help me on this. I fear that so much time has passed now, that I will not be able to give exact facts and figures to the parties concerned. Is there a reasonable person at BG who might be able to fix this for me. Or do I have to wait until 2013 until I can fix this?

Thanks in advance for your help

Mike

GeorgeUK

I think someone used to post here about a contact they used when they had a default problem with BG (i think it was BG). Might be worth trying to do a search on the site for this.

If you get no joy there, i would do a SAR request, get the details of how much you were in credit at that time and make a formal complaint that you were issued a default for nonpayment when in fact you were in credit.

I'll try to look for that contact post - at work so can't spend too long on it i'm afraid.

GeorgeUK

Can't find that post - it may have been a different utility company.

I would phone them again to query why this happened and if you get no satisfaction, send in the subject access request (SAR - cost £10). This should give you a copy of all data they hold on your for the last 6 years - there are a few template letters on the board.

Then once you are armed with the data showing that you were in credit, you can make an offical complaint and see what comes from that. Possibly also getting in touch with the regulators if they are still not playing ball. They definately have the power to remove a default so don't let them tell you otherwise.