NEW BLOG. Featuring tips and pics from pet owners of the MSE Forum, we present to you Homemade pet toy ideas. Take a look

Equifax - what does "Special Arrangement" mean?

in Credit file & ratings
11 replies 312 views
artyboyartyboy Forumite
461 Posts
100 Posts Name Dropper
Forumite
Morning all,

EON have suddenly decided to start reporting my fixed energy deal payments to Equifax (18 months after the contract started, but whatever...). 

I took a look at my report via Clearscore today and unlike all my other credit accounts, which show as "Active", the EON one shows as a "Special Arrangement", and so far shows one on time payment (and previous months as "not available")

I can't find a definition anywhere of what this term means - googling always brings up results for arrangement to pay, which this clearly isn't, and would be Baaaaaaaaaad if it was interpreted this way if I ever needed credit again.

And while I know it's a made up marketing number, it's nonetheless vaguely interesting that my score dropped from the maximum 1000 for the first time ever. 

Any ideas? If it's nothing to worry about and just how Equifax shows utility accounts then fine, but it's the first time that I've had gas/electric on any of my credit reports so better to be safe...

thanks
Arty


«1

Replies

  • CliveOfIndiaCliveOfIndia Forumite
    456 Posts
    100 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    artyboy said:

    And while I know it's a made up marketing number, it's nonetheless vaguely interesting that my score dropped from the maximum 1000 for the first time ever.


    I would challenge the fact that it's "interesting".  It's well-known that the score reported by the CRAs will drop in response to any change in your credit circumstance, whether good, bad or indifferent.  A new line of credit has started to be reported, ergo your score has dropped.
    Must admit I'm not sure on your main question though.  A marker of "AR" or "AP" would indicate that you're on a repayment plan ("Arrangement to Pay"), which would be viewed negatively.  But I've never come across "Special Arrangement".  But I guess the main thing is that it's showing on-time payments, which is good.
  • edited 26 May at 12:00AM
    artyboyartyboy Forumite
    461 Posts
    100 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    edited 26 May at 12:00AM
    artyboy said:

    And while I know it's a made up marketing number, it's nonetheless vaguely interesting that my score dropped from the maximum 1000 for the first time ever.


    I would challenge the fact that it's "interesting".  It's well-known that the score reported by the CRAs will drop in response to any change in your credit circumstance, whether good, bad or indifferent.  A new line of credit has started to be reported, ergo your score has dropped.
    Must admit I'm not sure on your main question though.  A marker of "AR" or "AP" would indicate that you're on a repayment plan ("Arrangement to Pay"), which would be viewed negatively.  But I've never come across "Special Arrangement".  But I guess the main thing is that it's showing on-time payments, which is good.
    Sigh... ok well I'll challenge that back, in that it's been 1000 as long as the upper limit has been 1000 (think it was 700 or something before 2021). And I've had new credit accounts come and go quite a bit in that time. So no, "any" change in my file has not changed my score, up until now.

    But honestly. I get it. Credit scores and all that. A black art of the CRA marketing department. I'm simply curious that when it drops for the very first time, ever, and on the same day a new credit account is added to my file, with a heading of "special arrangement" then it's not entirely unreasonable to wonder if there's a hint of something a bit wrong. 

    I don't really care what Equifax think. I just care if there is data on my file being misrepresented as something negative for other organisations to see... 

    So if anyone can offer a view on what this "special arrangement" tagline means, I'd be most grateful...





  • MalMonroeMalMonroe Forumite
    5.7K Posts
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    Hi, I'd have to ask E.ON NEXT what it means. It's your account, you are entitled to know.

    Who has made that arrangement and why haven't they let you know?

    Either phone or email. I'm with Octopus and I have to say that they DO respond quickly to messages and last time I phoned (last month) they answered the phone promptly. Hope it's the same with E.On. They're the ones who can tell you what it's all about.

    If anyone calls me 'special' I want to know why I'm so special. Contact them and ask them what they're on about and to amend on your credit reports, if necessary.

    It's what I would do. 
    Please note - taken from the Forum Rules and amended for my own personal use (with thanks) : It is up to you to investigate, check, double-check and check yet again before you make any decisions or take any action based on any information you glean from any of my posts. Although I do carry out careful research before posting and never intend to mislead or supply out-of-date or incorrect information, please do not rely 100% on what you are reading. Verify everything in order to protect yourself as you are responsible for any action you consequently take.
  • moleratmolerat Forumite
    29.8K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    Shown up on my new report

  • Rob5342Rob5342 Forumite
    713 Posts
    500 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Forumite
    I'm on a debt management plan and the three creditors I have payment arrangements with show up as "special arrnagement" in my clearscore app, these three have arrangement to pay markers in the Credit Karma app.. I'd ask them about it as it sounds like a bad marker.
  • karlospijkarlospij Forumite
    3 Posts
    Second Anniversary First Post
    Newbie
    Yes same on my credit file this morning, My score dropped 69 points. I have emailed EON to explain to me why they are the only utility provider to use this term for the account. I have to say being with Enstroga was a thrill ride I don't miss but EON Next are really becoming just as bad for me too. 
  • AGG2022AGG2022 Forumite
    3 Posts
    First Post
    Newbie
    Did anyone manage to speak to E.ON Next and find out what this means? I just got notified today about the same thing and it also says “special arrangement” so I’m a bit concerned. Have emailed them but haven’t heard back yet. 
  • fatbellyfatbelly Forumite
    18.7K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Cashback Cashier
    Forumite
    My thinking is that arrangement is arrangement, whether it's special or not.

    On that basis, it's an unfair marker
  • artyboyartyboy Forumite
    461 Posts
    100 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    molerat said:
    Shown up on my new report

    Can I ask, are you on a standard DD arrangement, and are you currently in credit or debit with EON? Just want to be sure we're comparing apples and apples here - I'll be spitting feathers if anyone that is in debit is marked as 'special arrangement', given that's perfectly normal with energy contracts...
  • AGG2022AGG2022 Forumite
    3 Posts
    First Post
    Newbie
    I know the above message wasn't aimed at me, but I checked my credit score with checkmyfile and it turns out the "special arrangement" is being marked as an arrangement to pay. :|

    My account is only in debit £200, which is actually down to E.ON underestimating my bills and a broken smart meter, which they previously admitted in writing is their fault. A couple months ago they reached out to increase my direct debit because of this and apparently this constitutes an arrangement to pay and they don't want to remove it. 

    Really annoyed and not sure what to do. I've never missed or made a late payment or had any debt in my life and now I've got this on my credit report for 6 years......
Sign In or Register to comment.
Latest MSE News and Guides

Energy Price Cap change

Martin Lewis on what it means for you

MSE News

Best £1 you've ever spent?

Share your most impressive bargains

MSE Forum