Can a debt collection agency report your account on a credit file.....

Jimby509

If they have brought the debt from a Utility Company?

A few years ago I was with Utility Warehouse (I think) and paid via direct debit. I moved house, canceled direct debit and changed supplier.

Today I recived a call from Fredrickson debt collectors saying they were chasing me for a debt of around £200 from Utility Warehouse. I think I forgot to deal with the final bill, stupid of me but there was alot going on at that time and I think I just forgot it existed.

Can Fredrickson now report information regarding the debt to my credit file? I know they could if they had brought a credit card debt or Loan debt which had been on credit file, but can they for a utility account that was never on my credit file? After all, I never signed any credit agreement?

Thanks for any reply given!

Thrugelmir

Jimby509 wrote: »

After all, I never signed any credit agreement?

You signed a contract with the supplier. The contract would have specified various terms and conditions. These therefore you've agreed to. Failure to pay has resulted in a breach of the contract. Supplier therefore can invoke the T&C's.

ALIBOBSY

for a long time utilities weren't on credit files, but more recently they started appearing and the terms and conditions they supplied power under included being able to list the account on credit files

Debt collectors can't add extra accounts onto credit files but they can have defaulted accounts changed over to their name. So if the original company listed this and then the subsequent unpaid debt and the debt collector can take this over and have it put in their name.

Firstly never talk to debt collectors over the phone, all the main debt charities and CA advise this as DCA's are well known to lie and threaten over the phone.

Personally I would want to query the amount and how it was calculated to ensure its correct. Also check you credit file, if it was showing the debt will likely have been on for a while anyway.

Finally how long ago was this as there are limits as to how soon a debt has to be claimed so they may not be able to take any further action such as courts (unlikely because of the amount anyway).

Ali x

Jimby509

Thanks to you both for your replies.

ALIBOBSY. I check my credit file religiously (noddle), after being in debt previously. Currently there is nothing on my file regarding this 'debt'. But I am scared of them adding a defaulted account to me record. My Credit record is finally recovering after years of hard work.

The 'debt' is 3 years old.

So given what you are saying (sorry I am slow).... If the company Utility Warehouse never defaulted my account and listed it on my credit record, now the DC Fredrickson have brought the debt they can't suddenly decide to start listing it on my credit record?

Thanks again, J

PaulW922

If Utility Warehouse was permitted under the terms of your contract, to report to CRAs then in respect of that debt, so can Frederickson. Just because UW didn't do it, doesn't mean FI won't.

If the t&cs do not allow for it, they only a ccj is likely to end up being reported.

ALIBOBSY

Sorry didn't see the rest of this thread till today. Paul is correct it depends on the contract. But it is highly unlikely if UW could report it that they wouldn't.
However just checking on noddle won't cover all your credit file issues. There are 3 credit ref agencies and although many creditors now report to the all, some still only report to one or two.

So it may be worth checking your other files as well and check out if the debt amount is correct.

Good Luck
Ali x