First utility credit search

murphster

Hi, this may be the wrong place to ask but I'm not sure of where's best.

Anyway was wondering if anybody has had any dealings with first utility and had any problems with their credit searches. I am moving next week and wanted to sort out my gas and electricity. I stupidly applied online and of course gave my new address. They subsequently did a check which I failed (obviously because I don't live there). Anyway I phoned them today and explained, they said that was fine and they would do a credit check using my current address (where I have lived for 10 years). To my amazement I failed this (they said I am not on the electoral register).

No I know I am, I voted in the last general election, also I have just been approved for two mortgages, LTB and residential, surely the banks would have credit checked me. To be sure I phoned the council, they assured me I am on the register and have sent me a letter to confirm this. I am not overly worried it's just energy supply, i would have got really concerned if it was a mortgage application or loan, but it's confusing me.

Any ideas what the problem could be?

GingerBob_3

murphster wrote: »

Hi, this may be the wrong place to ask but I'm not sure of where's best.

Anyway was wondering if anybody has had any dealings with first utility and had any problems with their credit searches. I am moving next week and wanted to sort out my gas and electricity. I stupidly applied online and of course gave my new address. They subsequently did a check which I failed (obviously because I don't live there). Anyway I phoned them today and explained, they said that was fine and they would do a credit check using my current address (where I have lived for 10 years). To my amazement I failed this (they said I am not on the electoral register).

No I know I am, I voted in the last general election, also I have just been approved for two mortgages, LTB and residential, surely the banks would have credit checked me. To be sure I phoned the council, they assured me I am on the register and have sent me a letter to confirm this. I am not overly worried it's just energy supply, i would have got really concerned if it was a mortgage application or loan, but it's confusing me.

Any ideas what the problem could be?

I think the problem is that First Utility are a bunch of asses, firstly because they thump you with a credit check - or two in your case, and secondly because they'll report your account to the CRAs. Then there's every chance they'll screw up, and this could be devastating for your future credit applications. Don't go with them. Use a supplier that doesn't deal with CRAs, e.g EDF.

MCGONIS

Hi. I signed myself and my parent's up to First Utility about 2 years ago. I was declined due to "credit check". I called them and explained how to search for my address (it's a flat) at the credit reference agency.

It came back declined once again. I was at a loss. I checked with Call Credit, Experian and with Equifax and there was no record of them searching on any of the three files.

My parents' application went through fine. I am rarely ever declined for credit so I will never get to the bottom of it.

I thought at the time they did not want to deal with me as I am a low user (about £45 in total each month for gas and electric)

Anyhow, I went on and found cheaper suppliers. It just meant having 2 suppliers rather than a dual fuel.

murphster

MCGONIS wrote: »

Hi. I signed myself and my parent's up to First Utility about 2 years ago. I was declined due to "credit check". I called them and explained how to search for my address (it's a flat) at the credit reference agency.

It came back declined once again. I was at a loss. I checked with Call Credit, Experian and with Equifax and there was no record of them searching on any of the three files.

My parents' application went through fine. I am rarely ever declined for credit so I will never get to the bottom of it.

I thought at the time they did not want to deal with me as I am a low user (about £45 in total each month for gas and electric)

Anyhow, I went on and found cheaper suppliers. It just meant having 2 suppliers rather than a dual fuel.

Funny I'm a low user as well. Have spoken to n power and all sorted in minutes, they're my new suppliers. First utility just lost some business. They sent me a satisfaction survey, I enjoyed filling that out.

Superscrooge

murphster wrote: »

Funny I'm a low user as well. Have spoken to n power and all sorted in minutes, they're my new suppliers. First utility just lost some business. They sent me a satisfaction survey, I enjoyed filling that out.

I hope you have better luck with Npower than I did!

I transferred from Npower to First Utility and I found First Utility excellent. I only left them because I got a cheaper deal with Fairer Power (OVO).

Both Npower and First Utility accounts were in credit when I left. Npower customer service were either totally incompetent or deliberately lied to me several times over refunding the money they owed me. At various times I was told a cheque was already in the post, about to be posted, it had been credited to my bank account, was about to be credited to my bank account. Every time I phoned I got a different story! Eventually I got the refund and an extra £25 goodwill payment for being messed around. But I would be reluctant to use Npower again.

First Utility refunded the money they owed me within two weeks direct to my bank account. No hassle.

I'm also a low user!