Annoying Default

Biggreygoose

I'm after a bit of advice here. Have generally had a decent credit rating, not perfect but pretty good with no issues getting credit. Have two credit cards with relatively high limits and using less than 50% on each. No mortgage or student loan.

I haven't had to apply for credit for years as the limits on my cards have been raised steadily for the last few years, but I went to buy a sofa at the weekend and take advantage of a 0% offer I was refused. Having checked my credit report (a salutory lesson here to check regularly) I have discovered an account has been put into default which has absolutely tanked my score.

Now this account relates to a disputed sum with an energy company arising from the final bill at my last house. I have paid what I believe I owe and there is £200 still outstanding. Energy company know I have moved as they sent correspondence to my new address. I can't remember having a notice of default sent, though in fairness the last couple of years have been topsy turvy with health issues etc so they may well have done.

Now my conundrum; the 6 years on the account is up in just over 2 years and the amount is small. Do I :

A) swallow my desire to be right and just pay? Although I understand this will have little affect on my score until the account falls off my record. I understand this also means that they cant raise a CCJ for the amount just before the 6 years is up.

not pay and save myself £200 which I never owed anyway. (Discrepancy arose from a meter reading they took which they couldn't have done and was wrong anyway. I have been trying to prove this for years and everything had gone quiet). Given the small amount how likely is a CCJ?

C) can they drop the default of I push hard enough on the original complaint?

D) contact them for a partial settlement. Although I understand this may not be viewed very well by creditors compared to a full settlement.

Nothing is really hanging on this, no mortgage applications in the near future or anything like that. The only potential risk is of a CCJ on the future. I recognise that the boat has probably already sailed on repairing my score quickly.

The internet has various opinions on what to do and I wondered if anyone here had any direct advice.

[Deleted User]

If you genuinely think it is not your debt, I would dispute it. If not, look to get it settled.

Remember to completely ignore your score. It's not a measure of anything.

Biggreygoose

I don't believe I owe the money, but given the small amount I'm not sure it's worth my time arguing unless the default can be removed completely.

The account is in my name so I think I may have an uphill struggle to get it removed.

[Deleted User]

Then I would pay it. Full or partial settlement will make little difference, as long as it is settled.

Biggreygoose

I thought as much... Thanks anyway!

Thrugelmir

I have paid what I believe I owe

To defend any action against you. You would require more than just belief.

Biggreygoose

Well yes, I can prove that I and my wife weren't even in the country on the date they claim they got access to the property to read the meter. They claim they got access, but never explained how they did this.

They blatantly read next doors external meter , but after 4 years it's a little difficult to prove.

Biggreygoose

All I ever got from them is that they were 'looking into my query'

Thrugelmir

Biggreygoose wrote: »

Well yes, I can prove that I and my wife weren't even in the country on the date they claim they got access to the property to read the meter. They claim they got access, but never explained how they did this.

They blatantly read next doors external meter , but after 4 years it's a little difficult to prove.

Maybe so. How did you arrive at the amount you decided to pay. Considering that you weren't in the country to read the meter either.

Biggreygoose

Based on the reading from 3 months previously, pro rata monthly usage from their own calcs and cross refered to the unit usage in the same period in the proceeding 12 months. (Came to approximately 50% of what they said it was)

The reading they 'took' was blatantly wrong.

This is a bit of a side track from the original question however as it seems the best way forward is just to settle.