Compensation for incorrect credit file information british gas

Ann1984

Can anyone offer some advice?

Im still fighting with British Gas. We moved house in 2009, they were given meter readings, balance was paid and account closed.

In 2010 they wrote to me saying the account was closed and the balance was zero and "you do not need to do anything, this letter is for your records", i thought it was odd after so long but i kept the letter.

In 2011 they applied a default to my credit file for £349. I knew nothing about the default til this year, i check one credit reference agency they use another (top tip, always check all 3) so after months of arguing i got the default removed but its obviously had an impact for the last 3-4 yrs, apart from this my credit file is spotless, nothing on there at all, everything paid on time etc. I spoke to CAB who said i should get compensation so im now fighting this.

BG are insisting there was a balance owed and that the landlord of the old house paid it 6 months after we left, i think someone moved in as the tenancy was 6 months and its infact their bill thats been paid if that is the case.

They`ve offered me £50...i think i should be entitled to more. Any help? CAB said to quote "Under section 13 of the Data Protection Act (DPA) a person is generally entitled to compensation if they suffer damage as a result of violations of a section of the Act by organisations that hold their personal data. Individuals are also generally entitled to compensation from those data controllers if they suffer distress that causes damage." ive done that, ive sent a letter from a creditor saying that the default has had an effect on my credit score and has caused me financial loss and a copy of the "do nothing" letter...... Anything else i can do or should i just take the £50?

I have tried to find some evidence that i did ion fact pay off the bill but as yet ive not found anything to help as we paid by DD.

Long one i know,

thanks x

fermi

Apart from time and inconvenience for getting the wrong info sorted out, compensation would generally only be appropriate in respect of consequential losses due to the wrong info that you can prove. i.e. that you were turned down for a job, or a mortgage/loan where you lost out finacially as a resiult or were forced into more expensive options.

To be honest unless this has had some very significant financial or other impact that you can prove, the best you can expect from perhaps a long fight is an extra few hundred £ at most.

Not trying to put you off, but trying to put the effort vs loss/gain in perspective for you to consider.

If you think it worth it, or worth a punt, then go for it.

Energy ombudsman is the obvious route at first.

Long term the most important thing is that anything incorrect comes off and stays off.

[Deleted User]

Ann1984 wrote: »

ive sent a letter from a creditor saying that the default has had an effect on my credit score and has caused me financial loss

How much did the financial loss amount to?

That is the figure you should be expecting to receive.

Ann1984

ive spoken to the loan company and they said over the next 3 yrs ill be paying an extra £750 in interest compared to what i would have been paying, i dont know how it will have affected anything else.

I might just push a little more and see where it goes.

Thanks

Ann1984

i do have in writing that this default caused that higher rate too and have sent that to british gas.

boo_star

Ann1984 wrote: »

i do have in writing that this default caused that higher rate too and have sent that to british gas.

I'm surprised by that but if you have written proof that you would have been offered a lower rate without the default it's worth pursuing.