www.iva.co.uk

Hi All,

As we are all trying to save a buck & our fixed term is up with eon I decided to go on USwitch for a quote to change energy suppliers.

We filled in all the questions and were greeted with a saving of £231.13 Annually with First Utility.
I agreed to the switch over cos every penny helps, I had an email the following day to say that it had been declined due to one of three reasons. 1 - incorrect info, 2 - not being registered on the electrol & 3 - low credit score.
Obviously we know it's the credit score, it then goes on to say that we can still switch but will have to pay a deposit of £300 as security!!! We would get it back after 6 month should we not miss any payments.

I'm astounded! Firstly if I had £300 spare I have a list of things which need to be done and secondly why are they preying on people who are already in a delicate situation?
Had they taken the time to contact eon they would be reassured that no payments have ever been missed in the whole 8 years we've been with them!!
I'm so cross! We will be staying with eon and be out of pocket for the loyalty

They're running a business that relies on Credit - and unfortunately they have to rate their customers and select those that fit their profile.

I was going to look at a comparison website when our fixed price deal ends next Jan,after reading this think I will leave it til the IVA is finished and credit score improved.

When I moved house my regular energy supplier said they would have to credit check me for the new address's supply. Knowing I would fail such a check I told them that, as I had been with them for more than 10 years and never in arrears, I would look on a credit check as an insult and take my business elsewhere.

I got the new supply with no credit check

I learned a few years ago how horrid any energy company are. I have been with EON for years, pre IVA and now. Around 3 years ago, I was paying monthly for Gas & Elect. They wanted to up my payments to £150 per month for the both for a 2 bed flat. I refused and opted for quarterly payments. I now pay when I get the bills and only when the red reminder comes in. On average now, I pay £90 per month for both, never estimated and although i pay quarterly i still put the money away each month. I know i pay more for my units but it is worth it to know that these Companies are not getting my money and keeping more than they need.

We've swapped from British Gas to EON and the initial email stated they would do a credit check.

I presumed as the IVA was still on our records we would be declined but they accepted us no problems.

We pay quarterly as well.

Some providers are obviously more lenient when assessing the credit score.

...get yourself on the Electoral Roll.

in my experience, not being so is far more damaging than just a bad credit rating (which in turn will be low - regardless of IVA, if you are not on it).

I've switched energy suppliers in my IVA twice, with no bother at all.

I think it was due to one of the 3 reasons now all 3 reason as OP says it's obviously the credit score.

I have never heard of this before, but don't think I've switched for a while as I'm happy with Scottish Power for now.

Thanks Guys,

All our info is up to date, we are both registered on the Electoral Roll, the only issue we know of is the low credit score.
We have been with Eon for years however last year they wanted to increase our payments from £137 per month duel fuel to £210 per month duel fuel.
I managed to get it down to £190 per month, after Uswitch sent me an email and we received our 'renewal' from Eon I thought I'd do a price comparison, we could potentially save around £20 a month which is always welcomed. Unfortunately 'computer said no' so we are staying put. I'm not sure its worth trying elsewhere? Would this be at a detriment if we were refused by another company?
Sometimes 'better the devil you know' is the safer option albeit more costly.

We switched to edf a couple of months ago with no problems, could you try them?

I switched last june from british gas to edf.as long as you have not got an outstanding balance then you should be fine.i had prob with british gas not letting me move as they dragged there heals even after I had a zero balance.a quick lashing down the phone and they ungratiousley obliged.

we switched from edf to ovo a couple of months ago and there was no problem, oddly enough a few years ago when we werent in the iva and had never missed a payment on anything (although were in a lot of debt granted) we wanted to switch to british gas and they wanted a sum of £200 as security due to them classing us as high risk!, I think they are all different to be honest!

We failed the credit score for M&S energy last year and I couldn't be bothered to try anyone else - they really are much of a muchness in my opinion. One thing I have done for several years though is put the monthly amount in savings and pay the bill quarterly so that I am in control of what I pay and they can't keep increasing my direct debit. Sometimes they have to wait a couple of weeks for all the bill whilst I save up the last few pounds but over the year it usually works out OK and I would recommend this system to anyone. Yes you don't benefit from a DD discount but not being at the mercy of these energy companies is worth it.