Another British Gas Drama........

[squidgy]

Afternoon All!

 

I was hoping someone would be kind enough to advise on how I should proceed with the following problem with British Gas. I'll try and keep it brief as, with everything concerning BG this has been anything but!

 

A few years back a bill was ran up at one of my previous address' and not paid.

I admit the debt is mine so no problem there. I have nothing from BG or any DCA in over 2 years.

 

 

Recently, have come into better times I have decided to try and get my credit score back.

 

 

I checked my credit file and basically BG has marked my file, every month for the last couple of years with a "missed payment".

 

I called BG regarding the account and was passed to their "offshore" debt team who didn't have a clue.

It took 45 mins for them to find any info.

 

 

I made a payment of £100 and asked if I could set up a monthly DD for the remainder but was told I can't as the debt was so old and must call each time to make a payment.

 

 

I explained this is impossible as I am out of the country 10 months a year and will not spend 45 mins each time on the phone from abroad to give them money.

 

I was advised by another adviser the following day that I could actually set up a DD so tried again. Again, no body could find any record of the account.

Just an address and the balance.

The guy who took the £100 payment had not even put that in the file.

Luckily this was rectified.

 

Long story short

it turns out that the debt has been passed to a DCA.

BG said as this was the case they couldn't do anything.

When asked how come they took a payment then they had no answer?

 

 

I told them that I will deal direct with the DCA but was informed they don't know who that is?? No record.

 

 

I told them, if the DCA has bought the account then they should refund my £100 but was informed this would come off the DCA bill which I think is BS.

 

 

They are supposed to be calling me back today with the DCA details (I won't hold my breath!).

 

What would you advise on this one?

I'm guessing BG don't even own the debt now so I shouldn't really be dealing with them.

 

 

I was thinking just offer the DCA a full and final and claim back the £100 off BG.

They can't take payment on an account they don't own right?

 

The other thing is,

should they still be marking my credit file every month?

If they don't own the debt I'm not missing any payments?

 

Any help will be greatly appreciated

[Andyorch]

Deal direct with BG...ignore the DCA they dont own the debt (and if they can prove it was assigned to them dont pay anyone anything further.)

 

With regards to the default that will remain until its 6th Anniversary...paid or unpaid.

 

Keep paying BG and keep a paper trail of proof of the payments...just for future reference.

 

Regards

 

Andy

[squidgy]

Hey Andy, thanks for the advice.

Thing is, there is not actually a "Default" as such.

They just keep marking my credit file every month with a missed payment and have done for many years. Is this correct?

 

 

Should they now start putting on my credit file as a "completed payment" every time I pay them?

 

 

I wnat to start repairing my credit file but if they keep marking it every month with "missed payments" I'll never clear it?

[Andyorch]

http://www.experian.co.uk/blogs/consumer-advice/missed-late-payments/

[dx100uk]

when was your third 'missed' payment

[squidgy]

October 2014......

[dx100uk]

well even if they do default.

you're stuck until 2020 then...