British Gas won't change pay as you go meter

antilles

Hi folks

Moved into a property around 18 months ago and decided to get the pay as you go (card topup) meters changed recently.

Called up British Gas before Christmas and they said I failed a credit check, which was odd as I have excellent credit history and have no issues getting credit.

Checked with Experian (who British Gas use for credit checks) and they said that the only possible issue on my account was a flag for a new credit card under 10 months old, apparently some companies don't like that. So I waited until the flag for that 'new' card had been removed, and tried again today.

BG say I've failed the credit check again and they won't exchange the meters.

Checked Experian again and everything on the credit file is green, no issues whatsover, and I have a high credit score (according to their report). Also checked with Equifax and it's a similar story, all green, high score.

So I pressed BG for more info and they said that although they do a credit check, they have their own internal decision making process too, but they won't discuss the details with me.

The only thing I can suspect here is that previous residents had issues with credit - the house was a reposession and I do get frequent red letters for the previous owners. I have been a BG customer at other properties and had no issues there, no missed payments etc.

Is anyone aware of what the BG process is and how I can get these meters exchanged? It sounds to me like they could be taking into account credit data that its nothing to do with me. Alternatively, anyone know of any alternative way of getting these meters removed?

Thanks!

davethorp

One alternative if British Gas continue to refuse is to switch to a supplier that will remove them. EDF energy removed ours after we had been with them on prepayment for a month. This was back in 2009 though so I imagine things may have changed since then

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

antilles wrote: »

So I pressed BG for more info and they said that although they do a credit check, they have their own internal decision making process too, but they won't discuss the details with me.

The only thing I can suspect here is that previous residents had issues with credit - the house was a reposession and I do get frequent red letters for the previous owners. I have been a BG customer at other properties and had no issues there, no missed payments etc.

Is anyone aware of what the BG process is and how I can get these meters exchanged? It sounds to me like they could be taking into account credit data that its nothing to do with me. Alternatively, anyone know of any alternative way of getting these meters removed?

Thanks!

Companies only have an internal descision making process - there is no such thing as a universal credit check/score (there is in the USA). You can have a "score" of 999 and be declined with some companies, or a "score" of 1 and be accepted with others.

BG have chosen not to give you credit - judging by the increasing levels of posts on this forum (particularly when you include Sainsbury's, who are BG rebadged) it is increasingly how they operate.

What the previous residents credit history is like is immaterial, it has been over 20 years since a credit file was linked to an address.

Fortunately there is something you can do - switch supplier to one that doesn't perform any sort of credit check. I believe a few of the big 6 still don't credit check, and I doubt any of the smaller firms do, OVO certainly didn't when I switched to them.

Once you've switched to the other supplier, you can then ask them to remove the meter, it will probably cost around £60 per meter.

You can then explore the market for your best option, the best DD tariff is around 20-25% cheaper than PPM tariffs.

Good luck!

footyguy

antilles wrote: »

Hi folks

Moved into a property around 18 months ago and decided to get the pay as you go (card topup) meters changed recently.

Called up British Gas before Christmas and they said I failed a credit check, which was odd as I have excellent credit history and have no issues getting credit.

Checked with Experian (who British Gas use for credit checks) and they said that the only possible issue on my account was a flag for a new credit card under 10 months old, apparently some companies don't like that. So I waited until the flag for that 'new' card had been removed, and tried again today.

BG say I've failed the credit check again and they won't exchange the meters.

Checked Experian again and everything on the credit file is green, no issues whatsover, and I have a high credit score (according to their report). Also checked with Equifax and it's a similar story, all green, high score.

So I pressed BG for more info and they said that although they do a credit check, they have their own internal decision making process too, but they won't discuss the details with me.

The only thing I can suspect here is that previous residents had issues with credit - the house was a reposession and I do get frequent red letters for the previous owners. I have been a BG customer at other properties and had no issues there, no missed payments etc.

Is anyone aware of what the BG process is and how I can get these meters exchanged? It sounds to me like they could be taking into account credit data that its nothing to do with me. Alternatively, anyone know of any alternative way of getting these meters removed?

Thanks!

Credit records/checks relate to an individual, not an address.
Are you aware there are actually 3 doifferent recognised credit reference agencies? (No idea which one or ones BG use, sorry)

Various processes of the big 6 suppliers on how they handle applications for credit meters are mentioned here:
http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/news/how-to-switch-from-a-prepayment-energy-meter/0014939/

(September 2012)


If the supplier requires you to undergo a credit check and you fail, then the supplier often will not agree to provide credit, sorry.
(Some may, depending on circumstances, allow credit if you agree to pay a security deposit)

t0rt0ise

I am in a similar position. Moved into a house last month with British Gas prepayment gas meter. Failed their credit check, they told me they use Experian so I checked my credit rating and found it was rated as excellent with nothing negative at all. In fact I think it's that they don't want me as a customer because I was with them a few years ago for a very short time and left after having a problem with them. I imagine I've in effect been blacklisted by them.


I am now in the process of changing to EDF who should change the meter for me eventually.