BG small default (£120) - advice please..

spacecadet123

Hello all and I know that this sort of topic has been covered in different guises but would appreciate some clarity. Summary points below:

1 - set up elec acct with BG but for some reason DD wasn't set up in Nov 2010
2 - i move after 4 months to new address.
3 - I am fairly seriously ill for a number of months and although BG send me some bills I don't action
4 - I forget about it and move again
5 - not aware of anything on my experian file as nothing is showing
6 - get refused a mortgage in Dec 2014 as BG placed a default for £120 on me in 2012.
7 - I immediately settle
8 - BG state that they placed the default and sent 2 letters to old addresses - so i never received a copy.
9 - The date that they sent me the default (to the old addresses) I was a BG customer at a different address.
8 - write to BG and request removal stating above facts but so far no joy.
So, million dollar question is - do I physically have to receive notice of default ? and how do i put it across that I was still a customer of theirs - albeit at a new address ? I have a very unique name and obviously same d-o-b. Checking the files on both accounts they are identical so should have registered on their system as "same person who has outstanding bills" before they set up the account at the new address...
Any thoughts would be appreciated
many thx
Dan

Tixy

They are not legally required to send a default notice to the creditor.
Only accounts covered by the consumer credit act (which utilities are not) have a legal requirement to send a notice of intention to file a default.

Mostly creditors do send some sort of letter out that makes it fairly clear that failure to pay the debt will result in this being reported to the credit reference agencies, but they would just send this to the last known address.

I doubt their main billing system is designed to flag up possible duplicate customers, whilst your name may be very unique the reality is that most people's are not and so it would be unlikely to be a useful tool for them.

I think your options are to ask them to remove it as a goodwill gesture or if the default is dated in 2012 then challenge the date of it and that they should back date it to be within 6months of when you first didn't pay a bill that was sent to you. The benefit of this being it will drop off your file quicker.

tripled

The "system" wouldn't automatically link you - it would rely on the staff in the call centre searching for your old profile and updating it. They wouldn't have any reason to do that unless you told them you had an account with them before. Even if you did mention it, there isn't an obligation on them to hunt through historic accounts.

Unfortunately your credit record is correct. They sent you the bill (several times) and it remained unpaid.

Basically you're looking for them to change it as a goodwill gesture. Your average person in the callcentre won't be able to do that, you'll need to push on up the chain and hope someone takes pity on your circumstances at the time.

It might be worth asking in the utilities forum how best to get in touch with someone with authority, possibly an email to the CEO's office.

If the above doesn't work you could try getting your MP involved, or make a formal complaint then, if rejected, trying the ombudsman. However I don't fancy your chances of success down the ombudsman route given you had the bills, even with mitigating circumstances. Then again, the threat might be enough to get them to change it to avoid the hassle.

chanz4

The energy ombudsman wouldn't be able to rule on this, as they are not able to request a material fact is changed

PWG

Even though you have defaults you can still get a mortgage, just not at high street rates.

Thrugelmir

spacecadet123 wrote: »

6 - get refused a mortgage in Dec 2014
7 - I immediately settle

Precisely the reason they won't remove the default. You weren't bothered until it impacted you. This tells any potential lender a lot about you and your attitude to personal responsibility. You need lenders however lenders they don't need you.