Late Payment on Credit File

[Howard0181]

For past 15 years I have had a very, very good credit rating and record. Mortgage has been repaid in full and never missed a payment. Have lived in my house for 10 years and its now owned outright. Have had some small loans but all paid off on time.

 

I have a few credit cards but I pay as I spend and never had a late payment. I check my record every few months and there is never a problem.

 

To my surprise I recently applied to upgrade an Amex card where I do most of my card spending. I was refused.

 

On investigation I have noticed that British Gas have marked me as late payment of £930 for last three months. About 18 months ago I moved from British Gas to N Power and there was a dispute. I used to pay by direct debit. Now its possible that I could owe them £50/£100 but I have queried the bill and requested clarification. British Gas has recently passed this matter to a debt collection company and I have been harassed. I have written back and advised of the dispute and they have responded advising that Br Gas will contact me.

 

My question is what should I do about my credit file?

 

Thanks

[silverfox1961]

Hi. Sorry you were missed.

 

While the dispute is being resolved (and it is likely to be a long time with BG) you can place a 'notice of correction' on your credit file. This can be up to 200 words and creditors should take this into account when making decisions.

 

While you have disputed the debt, was this as a Formal complaint? If not BG can take as long as they want to resolve. If your dispute letter had the words Complaint or Formal Complaint, they have 8 weeks to resolve before you can escalate to the energy ombudsman.

[Howard0181]

Thanks for response.

 

It says I cant name a third party.

 

 

Does this mean that I cant name British Gas in my Notice of Correction?

[silverfox1961]

You don't have to name BG. If the 'debt' has been sold to the DCA then their name should appear next to the debt. If not then BGs name should still be there. In the NoC you could just say, 'the company involved' although I cannot see why you cannot name BG

[Howard0181]

Thanks for assistance.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

The restriction is there because you are ''disputing the data shown on the file, the data will have been originated by BG and updated by the debt purchaser/DCA when the acquired the debt" So the "notice of correction" refers to the data not the companies that placed or updated it.

The CRA will contact the company concerned directly to ascertain if the data is correct or not.