Advice please - credit rating ruined by Scottish Power

bob_bank_spanker

The only input I have is similar to what you've already been told. The ombudsman aren't great, if you're correct in your assertion that SP owe you the money, take them to court, and you'll win.

undaunted

keiran wrote: »

""They refused to remove the default entry . I complained to the ombudsman - they were useless , and seemed to be missing the point in my opinion. ""

People must realise that the Energy Ombudsknut is a useless, inept self-aggrandising body which is neither independent nor impartial.

the only reason a rational consumer should refer to the EO is so that the energy company has to pay a hefty fee to the EO. But keep the complaint short and don't spend too much time/effort on it.. it's a waste

It may, as Direct Debacle rightly suggests work for some, so your comments could be considered harsh by such people. Equally however there are those who've find them exactly as you suggest & will entirely share your sentiments

undaunted

bob_bank_spanker wrote: »

The only input I have is similar to what you've already been told. The ombudsman aren't great, if you're correct in your assertion that SP owe you the money, take them to court, and you'll win.

Maybe and maybe not. Just like the Ombudsman you pays your money & takes your chances. Even the courts don't always provide true justice or even seem to realise / have noted that it was the energy co. & not the consumer who refused A.D.R..



You could ask to post a "notice of correction" on your credit file with your version of events. It's upto each lender what they make of credit files. Have you actually been refused other lending or is it your assumption that the default would barr you?

http://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/faq/AR5.html

dude89

Ellis_T wrote: »

the default was for about 400.00. (now settled) I was trying to get the charges credited before paying the bill, they ignored every letter I sent to them

There is nothing else showing on my experian report

The problem you have here is that you should have paid the undisputed amount. Then raised a complaint purely about the disputed amount. This should have stopped any debt collection action on the disputed amount. I personally think the Small Claims Court would be a very long shot and i think the best course of action would be to write the Credit reference agencies asking them to attach a note the default explaining what caused it. How much notice companies take of these notes varies but it cant harm it.

ValHaller

chanz4 wrote: »

so if the ombudsman didn't agree, only way is court

Nope, there is the Information Commissioner. A default should not be recorded on an account which is in genuine dispute.

Although it is always wise to pay the undisputed amount in full.

chanz4

keiran wrote: »

""They refused to remove the default entry . I complained to the ombudsman - they were useless , and seemed to be missing the point in my opinion. ""

People must realise that the Energy Ombudsknut is a useless, inept self-aggrandising body which is neither independent nor impartial.

the only reason a rational consumer should refer to the EO is so that the energy company has to pay a hefty fee to the EO. But keep the complaint short and don't spend too much time/effort on it.. it's a waste

You don't think the companys make losses, all they do is put prices up to cover

chanz4

ValHaller wrote: »

Nope, there is the Information Commissioner. A default should not be recorded on an account which is in genuine dispute.

Although it is always wise to pay the undisputed amount in full.

If the fee was waived and the bill still outstanding op has no chance

ValHaller

chanz4 wrote: »

If the fee was waived and the bill still outstanding op has no chance

You seem to take delight ....

As far as I can see it hinges on how clear SP were in their billing and their retraction of the charges.

Ellis_T

Thanks for the input

Do you think a lawyer or the information commissioner would be the best way to pursue this line ? (the account was in dispute, and it was not clear that the charges had been credited)
I should add that the account was settled some time ago

Do you have any information or a link on how to go about approaching the information commissioner?