Are overdue bills recorded on your Credit Report?

ReVo

I've been trying hard to increase my Credit Rating over the past two years (it was previously borderline 'Excellent', but then I stupidly applied for a bunch of credit cards without realising it would negatively impact my score.

I didn't even go for any in the end, but my Credit Rating went from 'Excellent' down to the middle part of 'Good'.

It's been improving very slowly, going up about 10 points every two months or so. However, I just checked it the other day and it's dropped over 130 points, and my rating is now 'Poor'. I have no idea why this could be, except on the report there is one electricity bill that was paid late. I didn't think utility suppliers reported these things?

All my other bills have been paid on time, this one must have slipped the net. I never received a letter for collection so it never got to the stage where it was passed onto a collection agency.

Could a late-payment for one bill really affect my score so drastically?

I've got around 5 direct debits that come out of my bank account each month without fail, including a mortgage and car lease. Is there anything I can do to increase my credit score?

Cheers

TadleyBaggie

Your credit score is make believe, no one can see it but you and it bears very little relationship to how lenders see you. For example CRAs have no idea what you income is, what savings you have etc. Ignore the score.

[Deleted User]

With regard to the reporting, some utilities report, some don't.

Get it paid and keep on top of your finances going forward. One late payment isn't a huge issue on a well managed file as long as you don't make a habit of it.

ReVo

I'm pretty sure this is not the case, as I was declined from a few credit cards because they checked against Experian and saw my score was not good enough (ironically reducing my score even more due to the searches)

[Deleted User]

ReVo wrote: »

I'm pretty sure this is not the case, as I was declined from a few credit cards because they checked against Experian and saw my score was not good enough (ironically reducing my score even more due to the searches)

Nothing to do with your score.

You either don't match their criteria or you have a limited credit history.

Who did you apply with?

System

!!! wrote: »

Nothing to do with your score.

You either don't match their criteria or you have a limited credit history.

Who did you apply with?

you DO realise that when new people come here and talk about their "credit score" many/most mean their credit files/ history.

You do know that right? claiming their score is completely meaningless (on literally every single post ever and acting smug about terminology is just confusing new people.

[Deleted User]

They’re not.
That’s just you.
OP clearly made mention towards the drop in “points”.

Please stop spamming posts with your claptrap

Willing2Learn

ReVo wrote: »

I'm pretty sure this is not the case, as I was declined from a few credit cards because they checked against Experian and saw my score was not good enough (ironically reducing my score even more due to the searches)

Have you checked your three CRA credit files for accuracy? Apart from the late payment of your electricity bill, is there any other adverse data held on your credit files?

MalMonroe

Companies may not look at your score but they DO look at how many times you've applied for credit and if they think you are 'credit hungry' you'll be refused. If you think that the late payment of a utility bill has affected your credit report so badly, why not contact them, point out what a wonderfully loyal customer you are and it only happened just the once, you are really sorry and ask if they will please amend their records on your credit report? You can either phone or write, I'd do both. But it's surely worth a try. You won't lose anything and it may well turn out to be worth your while. I have successfully contacted a bank in the past, and they amended their record on my report. Go for it!

jpsartre

beany_bot wrote: »

you DO realise that when new people come here and talk about their "credit score" many/most mean their credit files/ history.

I really don't think that's the case. Most people I talk to in real life think the number generated is what matters.

OA234

As MalMonroe suggested, please, contact the utility company., I suggest setting up a Direct Debit and then calling them & explaining what happened & highlight the fact that you have been a loyal customer. You can chip in the fact that you are about to apply for credit for a major event in your life and the missed payment is affecting this.


I was able to remove 2 late payments from Thames Water from my credit file by doing the above.

All the best!!