Failed Credit Check to change from Pre-Payment

northlondonlynn

I'm having similar problems. Bought a flat, inherited pre-pay meters. I've requested a switch to credit meters 3 times, but failed British Gas's credit check each time. This is despite the fact that I was already a British Gas customer at another property, paying by direct debit! On my first 2 attempts, BG said they couldn't give me any info about the criteria they use, other than Experian being the agency. So I checked my credit rating with Experian, and as I expected, it's good: I've got a couple of credit card which I pay off in full every month; I've never missed a payment on a bill; and I've got previous credit accounts that have been cleared then closed.

On my latest failed attempt, the BG operator told me that they require an Experian credit score of 990 out of a possible 999 - my score is slightly below this.

I'm thoroughly fed up by this. :mad: I've never had prepay meters before, and I just can't get used to them - remembering to top up a key and a card doesn't come naturally to me. Also, they're in an awkward location, and mounted high on a wall - I have to use a step ladder to reach them - so it's difficult to keep an eye on the credit balance. On two occasions I've accidentally let the gas credit run out, which cuts off the supply and instantly means my boiler stops working. The first time it happened, I went through the boiler's fault-checking process, to no avail, and was about to call an emergency plumber when it suddenly occurred to me to check the meter. D'oh!

Anyway, after failing to make any headway with BG I'm now switching to EDF and will hopefully get them to install a credit meter a few weeks later.

Nada666

Hmm, O.P., you have failed a credit check so are now wanting to add an attempt to defraud to your records rather than just poor credit. What a great idea.

SeduLOUs

Nada666 wrote: »

Hmm, O.P., you have failed a credit check so are now wanting to add an attempt to defraud to your records rather than just poor credit. What a great idea.

Err... what?

Nada666

mcweasel01 wrote: »

Hi All,
We have Pre-Payment Electricity & Gas metres & wanted to switch to a 'credit' meter as we're paying a fortune. We've just called British Gas to make arrangements & we've failed the credit checks. Well, my wife has as the account is in her name.
So, we've had to change the name on the account to mine & try again when I receive the documents. [...]

Nada666 wrote: »

Hmm, O.P., you have failed a credit check so are now wanting to add an attempt to defraud to your records rather than just poor credit. What a great idea.

SeduLOUs wrote: »

Err... what?

'Err... what?' yourself. What is it you do not understand?

SeduLOUs

Nada666 wrote: »

'Err... what?' yourself. What is it you do not understand?

Since when was changing the name on a utilities account fraud?

I failed an application to get a Santander credit card, so my boyfriend applied and got accepted, then added me as an additional cardholder. Is that fraud?

[Deleted User]

GingerBob wrote: »

I'm with EDF and I think you're right. As I understand it they don't carry out credit checks or report you to the CRAs - surprising, when you consider the bribes they will have been subject to from the CRAs. However, I'd try and get further confirmation about this. British Gas are to be avoided at all costs. They are one of an increasing number of companies who will shaft you financially for the most trifling of reasons.

British Gas are the best run supplier by a country mile, the ONLY supplier to run a proper Revenue Protection Unit to stop people shafting everyone else. They have easily the best customer services, topping any list anyone cares to try.they are also one of the cheapest reliable suppliers, cheaper than EDF if Sainsburys Energy ( British Gas ) are used. All suppliers will credit check, they d be fools if they did nt and would be shamelessly robbed if they did nt.
You can see it in action how good BG are on this forum, despite being the biggest supplier they get the fewest complaints.