Equifax - what does "Special Arrangement" mean?

artyboy

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

CliveOfIndia

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.

artyboy

CliveOfIndia said:

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...

MalMonroe

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. 

molerat

Shown up on my new report

Rob5342

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.

karlospij

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. 

AGG2022

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. 

fatbelly

My thinking is that arrangement is arrangement, whether it's special or not.

On that basis, it's an unfair marker

artyboy

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...

AGG2022

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......