NPower suddenly appears on my file

Jojo55

I've been with NPower for about 3 years and they've never appeared on my credit file until now, why is this? I've been in credit, in debit, in credit again, either or they've still never showed up until now. Any ideas?

JKSandy

A lot of companies reserve the right to report to the CRA's. I guess they have decided to do this.

If the account is paid on time etc then it will be a good thing.

Thrugelmir

Utility companies are now starting to report to the CRA's. So late payment will now be visible to all.

Overall will improve the quality of data as will be very apparent if an individual is struggling with their bills.

Jojo55

I've always paid on time yes. Sometimes there's a balance, sometimes its in credit (summer/winter) to which they amend my DD to catch up, i presume this is normal practise and not viewed as derogatory?

GingerBob_3

Jojo55 wrote: »

I've been with NPower for about 3 years and they've never appeared on my credit file until now, why is this? I've been in credit, in debit, in credit again, either or they've still never showed up until now. Any ideas?

Be worried, very worried! I know from personal experience that NPower are nothing more than an outfit of bungling fools. They can't get proper billing organised for the majority of their customers, including threatening you with debt collectors when you don't actually owe them anything. Their call centres are appallingly managed, and their systems are hopelessly disconnected. They are by far the worst of the big six in just about every respect (and that must take some doing). So now, this incompetent bunch of amateurs are furnishing the CRAs with private information about their customers. It beggars belief! I would say the chances of inaccurate information being reported are high. Such reporting could, of course, affect your ability to get credit. Leave them now, before their antics affect your credit rating.

Of course, the reason for utility companies increasingly reporting private details of their clients to the CRAs is being promoted by guess who? Yes, the CRAs

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-21533587

I often wonder whether we'd all be better off if the CRAs didn't exist.

quidsy

This is very bad, I have recently argued with BG over increasing my bill for dual fuel as I know that I generally go into debit over winter then have high credits during summer. I have refused an increase of my DD until a review in summer, can they then report that I am not paying my bill?

When I changed supplier in November last year I was 400 in credit after 18months & they were of course in no rush to tell me this or refund my money during my contract so why should I pay more when I know my usage will level out. Very very bad practice imo.

MallyGirl

This has just happened to me - 2 npower accounts, 1 for gas and 1 for electricity - so now it looks like I have applied for loads of new credit. Just when I was actually about to apply for a new 0% card:(

EvaCustard

MallyGirl wrote: »

This has just happened to me - 2 npower accounts, 1 for gas and 1 for electricity - so now it looks like I have applied for loads of new credit. Just when I was actually about to apply for a new 0% card:(

Same here - even though I am a duel fuel customer - it's 2 separate accounts on my credit file.

Are these treated as "new" accounts (despite being open for over 2 years!) ?

Perhaps the Experian man could clarify?

Jojo55

I've just called Experian for some clarification. I am worried - i have a year-long complaint running with them and an outstanding balance that is amongst that complaint. However they've told me it is currently showing as a green 'U' that is quite positive for me, however he said that if the outstanding balance was to appear and i was disputing that amount then i can attach a note to explain that the amount was being disputed.

I could go into my complaint but thats a whole other thread! Its basically exactly what has been reported in the media lately - not being able to set up accounts and DDs. They are pathetic.

keithportsmouth

They have just registered me with Experian for two accounts even though i only receive one dual fuel bill ?..I opened my account with them in 2008 over the phone with just my name (intial and surname)and address and meter readings , nothing else. When you ring these retards they ask you to key in your D.O.B which i have never given them, i have to key 3 times a made up DOB before it moves on. when you get to call center halfwit they ask for me to confirm my telephone number ,which i have never given them.!I have never signed or agreed for them to share my information.I spoke to the slopping shoulders call center at Experian who said that its just them and British gas who are doing this at the minute ,,I then tried Ofgem (complete waste of space) then Data protection who said they were fine with it ,,so as usual no one gives a stuff ,CRA's continue to allow more and more people to do a search without the permission of the individual etc ,,and then you have to get them to remove said searches ,Its a disgrace and they need to be watched.

GingerBob_3

keithportsmouth wrote: »

I spoke to the slopping shoulders call center at Experian who said that its just them and British gas who are doing this at the minute

And Yorkshire Water (see the link in an ealier response I posted). It's absolutely a dangerous precedent that these scumbag utility companies are transferring YOUR data in this way. I wonder how they do it without a DoB? They, or Experian, must make an assumption as to who in the household is liable; thoroughly bad practice.