Defaults and debts - why do I bother

Legacy_user

Just logged into Experian for the first time in a year. My score is at an all time low, 122. I know the score doesn't mean much but my goodness doesn't it give you a kick in the stomach?

After keeping most of my affairs in the black for a while, I have been given a shiny new default from NPower in March this year for an outstanding balance from my old address. All letters must still be going to that address as it was news to me. My other defaults are an unpaid Egg CC (Sept 2012) and Nat West (March 2013) which I am paying off regularly.

My water company have also put me under an arrangement as the bill kept getting higher and higher and I totally threw my toys out of the pram at them. So I've got some sort of marker again that record as well by the looks of it.

How do I fix all this? I have a credit card and a Very account that is in the black and up to date. I've got two small children and work part time so my little wage covers a few utility bills, but that's it. I can't stretch anymore.

I really want to be in a position for a mortgage in the next 3-5 years but I'm already 30 yeas old, time is just flying away from me.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

glentoran99

first thing is cancel Experian, that will be almost £200 extra you would have towards debts over a year,

sourcrates

Noddle and clear score are free to use.

All you can do is pay your bills ontime, nothing will change until the defaults drop off unfortunately.

National_Debtline

Hi MissSJL,


Unfortunately, it is very difficult to improve your credit rating whilst you still have debts that are in default and outstanding. The fact that some of your debts are up to date is good but unlikely to rebalance the bad credit.


Realistically, you need to clear all of the 'bad' credit on your file and then your efforts to rebuild your rating are likely to be more effective.


Laura
@natdebtline

enthusiasticsaver

Use Noddle instead of Experian which you should cancel as you pay for that. The only way to keep a clean credit record is to pay bills,credit cards on time and settle outstanding debts.

Re the water bill have you checked you do not have a leak anywhere? If you seriously dispute it then make them check it if it is unusually high. They can do that by turning everything off and checking if the meter is still going up. When are the Egg and NW ccs paid off?

It sounds like you have it all under control though and only time will repair your record once the outstanding debts are settled.

nPower

MissSJL wrote: »

Just logged into Experian for the first time in a year. My score is at an all time low, 122. I know the score doesn't mean much but my goodness doesn't it give you a kick in the stomach?

After keeping most of my affairs in the black for a while, I have been given a shiny new default from NPower in March this year for an outstanding balance from my old address. All letters must still be going to that address as it was news to me. My other defaults are an unpaid Egg CC (Sept 2012) and Nat West (March 2013) which I am paying off regularly.

My water company have also put me under an arrangement as the bill kept getting higher and higher and I totally threw my toys out of the pram at them. So I've got some sort of marker again that record as well by the looks of it.

How do I fix all this? I have a credit card and a Very account that is in the black and up to date. I've got two small children and work part time so my little wage covers a few utility bills, but that's it. I can't stretch anymore.

I really want to be in a position for a mortgage in the next 3-5 years but I'm already 30 yeas old, time is just flying away from me.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Hi MissSJL

Thanks for your post.

We can't help with the other accounts unfortunately, but if you've got an outstanding balance with npower but we were sending the bills to your old address, then providing you told us you moved out then you may qualify for a reduction in the balance under the Energy UK Code of Practice for Accurate Bills.

If you can therefore get in touch using the details on our profile, with your account number, old address, new address, we'll investigate this. If we have been sending the bills to the wrong address then we'll look to get your payment markers updated, in line with FSA regulations.

Kind regards

Jess

chevalier

nPower_company_representative wrote: »

Hi MissSJL

Thanks for your post.

We can't help with the other accounts unfortunately, but if you've got an outstanding balance with npower but we were sending the bills to your old address, then providing you told us you moved out then you may qualify for a reduction in the balance under the Energy UK Code of Practice for Accurate Bills.

If you can therefore get in touch using the details on our profile, with your account number, old address, new address, we'll investigate this. If we have been sending the bills to the wrong address then we'll look to get your payment markers updated, in line with FSA regulations.

Kind regards

Jess

Nice to get a reply from someone official
chev

dumpyboy

It s a sad day that company's worry and replie when named on social media, more then the regulators just shows how little control the regulator has

MyLastFiver

How do I fix all this?

By being organised and methodical, and dealing with your creditors rationally and systematically.

MissSJL wrote: »

After keeping most of my affairs in the black for a while, I have been given a shiny new default from NPower in March this year for an outstanding balance from my old address. All letters must still be going to that address as it was news to me.

My bold. Did you notify NPower of your change of address? If so, then it's their error. Complain through their published complaints procedure. If not, it's yours! "It was news to me" is an appeal to helplessness and isn't going to help you get back on your feet.

My water company have also put me under an arrangement as the bill kept getting higher and higher and I totally threw my toys out of the pram at them. So I've got some sort of marker again that record as well by the looks of it.

My bold again. I don't know what "toys out of the pram" means. Were you abusive to them on the phone or something? Or did you refuse to pay them?

If you dispute your bill, follow their disputes procedure. Yelling at them on the phone, or withholding payment, gets you precisely nowhere.

"Some sort of marker" - well what is it? If you have your Experian file then inform yourself, and dispute the marker if it has been applied wrongly.

I really want to be in a position for a mortgage in the next 3-5 years but I'm already 30 yeas old, time is just flying away from me.

If NPower will remove the default then that's something. Be dispassionate in your dealings with companies. That's how you'll take control and improve your credit rating. It's all numbers on a screen. Make your payments on time. Keep them informed of your address details. Dispute incorrect bills.

Good luck!