Late payments on credit file

Hutch100uk

So I recently obtained my credit file from Experian and found 2 late payments to British Gas from 3 years ago. Both for small amounts of money. One was marked as 2 months late and the other 3 months. This is causing me problems with mortgage applications. I have no recollection of making late payments so have been corresponding with British Gas.

I think I am now on my 14th email with them. First they say they couldn't find my account, then said I still owed them money (which they now say is wrong), then said the account was in another name. Now they tell me the late payments are correct and sent me the dates which the bills were issued.

I have asked them for copies of the bills and reminders (surely I must have received at least 1 if I was 3 months late!!) but they refuse, saying my account is in archive.

I feel like I am going round in circles with them. If they cannot provide me with evidence that these bills were issued, how can I know if these late payments are correct?

Thrugelmir

Hutch100uk wrote: »

I feel like I am going round in circles with them. If they cannot provide me with evidence that these bills were issued, how can I know if these late payments are correct?

I suspect their systems are likely to more accurate than your memory. Given that 3 years has passed. Rather late to start disputing what's on the record. Have you destroyed all your paperwork? You can see from your bank statements when you made payments to British Gas. The frequency of the payments will be an indication as to whether you were on time or not.

Strummer22

So they won't send you copies of the bills, which would be evidence of your late payment. Essentially they're refusing to provide evidence. Have you formally complained to them about this? If not, you need to. If you're not happy with their response you can take it to the energy ombudsman. It's all a pretty slow process but the sooner you get it started the sooner it'll be resolved!

Hutch100uk

Thrugelmir wrote: »

I suspect their systems are likely to more accurate than your memory. Given that 3 years has passed. Rather late to start disputing what's on the record. Have you destroyed all your paperwork? You can see from your bank statements when you made payments to British Gas. The frequency of the payments will be an indication as to whether you were on time or not.

I might believe that if they hadn't told me about 4 different things before this!! That is why I don't believe them and want proof. Unfortunately I am with a different bank now so am unable to check previous payments.

Hutch100uk

Stu_N_ wrote: »

So they won't send you copies of the bills, which would be evidence of your late payment. Essentially they're refusing to provide evidence. Have you formally complained to them about this? If not, you need to. If you're not happy with their response you can take it to the energy ombudsman. It's all a pretty slow process but the sooner you get it started the sooner it'll be resolved!

Yes I have a complaint running now but they just keep telling me my account is in archive - yet they still seem able to tell me dates of when bills were issued (sometimes different dates....). I will escalate to the ombudsman if I get no joy.

Deadbeat

Thrugelmir wrote: »

I suspect their systems are likely to more accurate than your memory. Given that 3 years has passed. Rather late to start disputing what's on the record. Have you destroyed all your paperwork? You can see from your bank statements when you made payments to British Gas. The frequency of the payments will be an indication as to whether you were on time or not.

BG's systems are so accurate that they changed their story four times.

That should be good enough for anyone. If they changed their story a 5th time I might be a bit concerned though.

andyfromotley

[QUOTE=Thrugelmir;69722568]I suspect their systems are likely to more accurate than your memory.

I abosuloutly disagree with this where British Gas is concerned. Thier systems are unreliable, contain false information and in my case generated repeated different bills for an account that had been settled in full. This debacle went on for months. Each time i was reassured that it was correct and no possibility of a mistake. each time they were wrong!!!

However your bank records should be your saviour.

GingerBob_3

andyfromotley wrote: »

[QUOTE=Thrugelmir;69722568]I suspect their systems are likely to more accurate than your memory.

I abosuloutly disagree with this where British Gas is concerned. Thier systems are unreliable, contain false information and in my case generated repeated different bills for an account that had been settled in full. This debacle went on for months. Each time i was reassured that it was correct and no possibility of a mistake. each time they were wrong!!!

However your bank records should be your saviour.

Did you check whether they'd blacklisted you at the CRAs? Of all the utility companies British Gas are the worst offenders for it.

andyfromotley

No nothing on CRA's but they were a case study in ineptitude and failure to resolve problems. Just dreadful.

Hutch100uk

andyfromotley wrote: »

[QUOTE=Thrugelmir;69722568]I suspect their systems are likely to more accurate than your memory.

I abosuloutly disagree with this where British Gas is concerned. Thier systems are unreliable, contain false information and in my case generated repeated different bills for an account that had been settled in full. This debacle went on for months. Each time i was reassured that it was correct and no possibility of a mistake. each time they were wrong!!!

However your bank records should be your saviour.

My bank records (if I had them, which I don't) would possibly only clarify when I settled the bill. My argument is that they never sent me any. They are NOW saying one of the 'said' bills was reversed and then re-issued in December. So if I paid in January then how is it 2 months late??? absolutely laughable.