Poor credit score. Can't switch utilities?

jebus1967

Hi I tried to switch my utility company from Scottish Power to First Utility using USwitch.com. I have done this a few times over the years to try to take advantage of various deals in an attempt to save money. It has never been a problem in the past. However First Utility sent me an email today saying the following:

Thank you for choosing First Utility as your new energy supplier.

As part of the application process we credit check all new registrations. Unfortunately, this part of your application has been unsuccessful but don't worry, there are a few options available.

There are a number of reasons why your credit reference may show as unsuccessful, the most common reasons are as follows:

We cannot confirm that you live at the property stated (you are not on the electoral role)
We do not have enough information about your previous address history
A low credit score

So what happens next?

If you are able to identify a likely cause from the list above, then please follow the instructions below to ensure your registration gets back on track.

Not on the electoral role?

Our records may show that you are not registered on the electoral roll at your address. Once you have registered and the electoral role has been updated, simply reapply on our website.

Insufficient address history?

One possible cause is that you have provided a previous address (due to the fact you have been at your current property for less than three years) but that you can’t be found on the electoral role at that address. Please reapply ensuring you provide as much address history as possible with an address that you will have registered against on the electoral role.

Alternatively you may not have provided three years address history. In this case, reapply to join First Utility providing additional addresses.

We understand that getting the electoral role updated can sometimes be a lengthy process, so in these cases you can opt to pay the £300 First Utility security deposit instead and your registration can then progress to the next stage.

Low credit score?

Failure to pass the credit check due to a low credit score means that we require a £300 security deposit in order to progress your application.

First Utility will hold the security deposit for at least 6 months. If after this period of time you have paid your bills within 28 days of issue or if you pay by Direct Debit and have not missed any payments during this time, we will return your security deposit back to you. However, if you miss a payment during this 6 month period First Utility reserve the right to retain the security deposit until we are satisfied that your payment pattern is acceptable.

To pay the deposit, simply call us on 01926 320 700 selecting option 2 and our Customer Onboarding team will be happy to take this payment from you over the phone and get your registration back on track. If you are not in a position to pay the security deposit you may request to have a prepayment meter installed.

As always we're here to help

If you have any questions or require any further information you can contact us through the enquiry form on our website, alternatively you can call us on 01926 320 700. Lines are open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 1pm on Saturday.

We hope that the information provided answers some of your questions and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

drop us a mail

Warm regards

This of course has come as something of a surprise to me, as as I said, I have never encountered problems like this in the past. However maybe I should address the main points this email raises? First in early 2010 I was forced to take out a DRO for a non-utilities (and relatively small) related debt. Second I am not on the voters role - and nor do I want to be. This hasn't got anything to do with not wanting to vote. I am Scottish and don't feel any strong affinity with non-Scottish politics. I however live in England, but if I were in Scotland I would almost certainly register and I would almost certainly vote. (This hasn't got anything to do with me not liking English people BTW! Both my ex-wives are English, so I would be a hypocrite if I did, lol.) Third I have been at my current address for over 10 years, but how exactly do I go about 'proving' that? Lastly I am in no position to pay a £300 deposit. I am barely holding my head above water as it is, so finding this money would be impossible.

So my question is, are these checks now standard practice? In other words, are people with low credit scores now precluded from switching utilities? When I switched to Scottish power a little over a year ago, they gave me no such trouble. I have always been up to date in paying my utilities and have never been in arrears. Also is there anything I can do about this?

Nada666

No, they are not standard practice - but an increasing practice. Having a poor credit will not preclude you from switching to most suppliers. Not being on the electoral roll will, however, cause problems.

jebus1967

Why should my DRO still be causing problems after all this time? Also it would be useful for me to be able to switch pretty quickly, as I am out of contract with Scottish power and would like to save money if I could, so the whole electoral role thing is very time consuming and not very helpful. Besides, as I have said, there is no one (and no party) south of the border I would wish to vote for. So I don't see why I should have to sign up for something I have no interest in, or use for? I get they might want it, but surely utility companies can't compel customers to do it? This was no problem whatsoever when I switched to Scottish Power just over a year ago.

Nada666

If you want to appy for credit then you follow their rules - it is not a right. A meter in your property lets you run up thousands of pounds of interest free debt easily with only expensive and very slow methods for suppliers to reclaim any debt.

It is only smaller, newer suppliers who may be strict with this - any of the big six suppliers will accept your custom.

I've no idea what processes you imagine are involved in signing on to the electoral roll. I fail to see how it can take more than thirty seconds.

jebus1967

You can stow the rudeness for a start mate. I was hesitant about joining this forum as past (distant) experience reminded me that many of the 'helpers' on here were simply up their own asses.

I told you why I didn't want to sign up for the electoral role. Why should I sign up to vote for something I have no interest in and have no wish to vote for? Not that this has anything to do with what I asked, or is any of your business anyway.

I appreciate the advice, but don't care for the attitude.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

jebus1967 wrote: »

You can stow the rudeness for a start mate. I was hesitant about joining this forum as past (distant) experience reminded me that many of the 'helpers' on here were simply up their own asses.

I told you why I didn't want to sign up for the electoral role. Why should I sign up to vote for something I have no interest in and have no wish to vote for? Not that this has anything to do with what I asked, or is any of your business anyway.

I appreciate the advice, but don't care for the attitude.

I don't think Nada was being rude, in fact he gave you very helpful advice on the issue, you won't find that in many places on the internet.

If you want unlimited credit no questions asked, stick to the big 6. The smaller suppliers can't take the risk, and will check you out as they see fit. You are getting interest free credit, why shouldn't they?

These checks include the electoral roll. It's a basic way of checking people are who they say they are. And it does indeed only take about 30 seconds!

jebus1967

Thanks. But as I said, my objections to signing up for the (non-Scottish) electoral role are political - and don't really have much to do with this discussion. If Nada 'fails to see this', then no doubt it's because this thread isn't about posters personal political affiliations, which indeed are not anyone else's business.

Nada666

You're the one who posted in public whole screeds about not being on the roll in your first post.

I merely stated filling in the form the Council/Registrar sends you takes thirty seconds and can be useful. I answered neutrally about what you asked. You're the one including and rabbiting on about personal stuff that isn't any of our business.

jebus1967

Somehow you are still just not endearing yourself to me though mate. Like I said I appreciate the advice, but maybe you should work on the attitude.

Richie-from-the-Boro

jebus1967 wrote: »

You can stow the rudeness for a start mate. I was hesitant about joining this forum as past (distant) experience reminded me that many of the 'helpers' on here were simply up their own asses.

I told you why I didn't want to sign up for the electoral role. Why should I sign up to vote for something I have no interest in and have no wish to vote for? Not that this has anything to do with what I asked, or is any of your business anyway.

I appreciate the advice, but don't care for the attitude.

The electoral role is mandatory, the law makes it compulsory to provide information to an electoral registration officer for inclusion in the full register. Its used by local authorities for their duties relating to security, law enforcement and crime prevention, its used for checking entitlement to council tax discount or housing benefit, choosing donor jury service and by the police for law enforcement purposes.

The fact that you choose not to exist may well be the root of your problems.

Mulder00

The electoral roll isnt just for voting in elections. I suggest you look beyond the name...