Ecotricity refused to set up an account without my date of birth — is this allowed?

OutragedofHX

I’ve had my identity stolen previously, so I’m very careful about certain personal information. I tried to set up an account with Ecotricity at a new residence but when I refused to give them my date of birth, they refused to set up the account, saying that they could not verify my identity through a credit-check. Are they legally able to require a date of birth to set up an account? I though that utilities were a legal right to be able to access. I was not asking for credit as I always pay my invoices in full each month. Can anyone provide some insight into this?

QrizB

I tried to set up an account with Ecotricity at a new residence

Are Ecotricity already supplying your property? If not, your property will have an incumbent energy supplier. You are already their customer. You should contact them (details will have been provided by the vendor, as part of your purchase documents).

I refused to give them my date of birth, they refused to set up the account, saying that they could not verify my identity through a credit-check. Are they legally able to require a date of birth to set up an account?

If you're applying for a credit account, Ecotricity will need to carry out a credit check. They shouldn't need to do this for a PAYG account.

I was not asking for credit as I always pay my invoices in full each month.

That's a credit account and you are asking for credit.

flaneurs_lobster

Ask to be moved to a pre-payment meter, you'll pay for your gas/leccy up front so no need for credit/ID checks.

The tariffs available will not be the best though.

WiserMiser

I never give my true DoB to a utility supplier. They don't need to know, it's none of their business. It's never been a problem.

The only time I give my true DoB is when applying for insurance or a driving licence etc because it might cause problems later.

tfhnota

I don't give correct DOB or correct previous address (coming from "Spain"), none of their business… tempted not to give my real name, either but that rules out DD's.

born_again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81947996#Comment_81947996

So long as you can remember the date given if they ask it as a security question. 🤦‍♀️

WiserMiser

That's

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81948832#Comment_81948832

That's one of my pet hates. The answer to a security question should be something that literally nobody else knows or can ever find out or guess, but one's DoB is known by thousands.

Obviously those who set such a daft question have never been sent a birthday card or munched a slice of birthday cake !

WiserMiser

I think the rules may have been tightened but IIRC at one time only the sort code and account number mattered. Same applied when mistakenly paying in to the wrong account but that's mostly been fixed.

However, it might be a problem when you subsequently wanted to switch. The losing company might block the switch if there's not at least a fuzzy name match, it would look like slamming.

Ectophile

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81948878#Comment_81948878

So what happens when they ask how many lettuce leaves your third pet ate on the first time you fed it, and you realise that you can't remember any more?

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81949045#Comment_81949045

…you look it up in your Password Manager where, alongside the password and memorable (random) word, I keep my fictional DoBs, Mother's Maiden Names, Places of Birth, First Pet's Names and the Lettuce Leaves Consumed Count.

The names and places are random character strings also generated by the Password Manager.

OutragedofHX

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81947480#Comment_81947480

You say “that’s a credit account”. No, legally, it’s not. If it were, the invoices I give clients would also be extending them credit, and any sole trader would be a credit-lender.