British Gas late payment error

markmm

Hi,

I opened a British Gas account in my new property back in 2013 and have never missed a payment (or any other credit payment). I applied for a remortgage and got rejected due to credit score being poor.

So I looked at my report on Experian and was horrified to find it was down at 706. I looked closer and saw I had 4 British gas accounts running (2 gas, 2 electric) from similar dates (just after I moved in). One set has no late payments the other has 6-7 but it was closed in 2014. Im not sure why I would have 2 sets of account for the same property and pay one and not the other. Surely this is a mistake on their end, yet it blows my credit score apart.

I called experian and they agree it looks odd so will query it with BG, but he broker I was using applied for 3 different mortgages so I am worried it will further lower my score through no fault of my own.

Can I take legal action against BG for this?

GingerBob_3

markmm wrote: »

Hi,

I opened a British Gas account in my new property back in 2013 and have never missed a payment (or any other credit payment). I applied for a remortgage and got rejected due to credit score being poor.

So I looked at my report on Experian and was horrified to find it was down at 706. I looked closer and saw I had 4 British gas accounts running (2 gas, 2 electric) from similar dates (just after I moved in). One set has no late payments the other has 6-7 but it was closed in 2014. Im not sure why I would have 2 sets of account for the same property and pay one and not the other. Surely this is a mistake on their end, yet it blows my credit score apart.

I called experian and they agree it looks odd so will query it with BG, but he broker I was using applied for 3 different mortgages so I am worried it will further lower my score through no fault of my own.

Can I take legal action against BG for this?

Possibly. There are precedents, especially if you can demonstrate a financial loss.


It's long overdue that credit file muggers such as BG were taught a lesson. You might want to consult a solicitor. And also, don't have BG as your energy provider. This seems to be yet another example of credit file abuse on their part.


Move to EDF, who I don't think report accounts to the CRAs.

SLZ

GingerBob wrote: »

Move to EDF, who I don't think report accounts to the CRAs.

This is true, I can't see EDF anywhere on my file but I can see BG and E.ON (current supplier). However I did find that EDF double billed me once, not that it was by a lot but it's something to look out for :rotfl:

I also agree with BG and them being CRA abusers, I can see multiple late payment markets on a closed account that I don't recall being late but as this was 3 years ago, I wouldn't bother following up but OP you should as they're clearly hurting your chances at a mortgage through zero fault of your own.