Wild West with Scottish Power- They added a debt marker on my credit file

savingSaver

I recently swtched from Scottish Power to British Gas.

I have been paying them montly without any default. At the end, I was left with approx £200 to pay. I got a call from Retention and told them I am not interested in staying with them. They asked me to pay the balance and I asked if I can pay it monthly. I was was told yes and was also told it will not impact my credit scores. Now I see the below notification on Credit Karma.

I called them again and was told if I pay in full I will get the marker removed in 14 days. After paying in full, I am now told it will remain for 6 years. The kind lady also gave me some stern words on my credit being my responsibility.

Any idea if I should be worried and what do I need to do to get this right even though the wrong was done by Scottish Power.

Brie

Well as you were given incorrect information and then lectured to as well I'd say that was cause for complaint. Politely of course but it might get you a tenner.

As for your credit history…..this will fade in time. Yes it sounds like it will be on your history for 6 years but each month down the line that becomes less significant. The experian and transunion reports I've seen have a stoplight system - so a rotten mess will be showing lots of red, a blip such as your will have one month as yellow and the rest will (hopefully!) be a nice healthy green. If you have lots of red and regular yellows then there would be a concern.

If there's one or 2 yellow dots sitting there getting older and older there's little to sweat about. Maybe don't apply for any credit for at least 6 months and ensure that everything else is ok - registered to vote, no CCJs, etc.

WiserMiser

I recently switched from Scottish Power to British Gas.

Welcome to the forum.

Out of the frying pan… You've switched from one dreadful company to another dreadful company. Which? says Spanish Scottish Power is the worst, but BG is only two notches above them.

savingSaver

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82113499#Comment_82113499

Thank you.

Well the only thing Scottish Power have said so far is they will listen to the recording of my call and train the agent who gave me the wrong info. But that doesnt resolve my issue and I don't care. Another is they were talking about an internal credit marker. Again, I dont care for any internal markers or lines or triangles. I need them to take this incorrect flag off my credit report.

I will pursue escalation and if required take it with Ofgem. Also, will dispute this with the Credit agencies.

savingSaver

I initially got an alert from Credit Karma about an arranged payment flag with Scottish Power. Now I have looked at both Credit Karma and Transunion and see the below. Not sure what am I to make of it. I have raised a dispute with Transunion and emailed Scottish Power.

This is stressful and mentally draining. Shame on them.

Credit Karma:

Transunion: