i lived in an apartment for less than a month, i moved out but the gas company said i didn't call to have the service turned off. its been 7 years. the gas co. left the gas on for 1.5 years. the people who lived there after me, apparently paid on the bill just enough to keep it on. i don't want the hassle of being a detective, but what can i do to clear this from my credit?
2007-02-07 20:52:56 · 4 answers · asked by Jeffery H 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
Utility bills don't appear on your credit report. Only the utility company keeps track in case you want service at another address.
If your concern is that they now are requiring a large deposit to restart services for you, I would send them a registered letter with PROOF that you moved from the premises at the time you said you did. (Dated change of address report from the Post Office, change of address on your driver's license< or whatever they would require as proof).
Work with the utility company the best you can, they have the upper hand, but are workable.
2007-02-07 21:02:55 · answer #1 · answered by Barbara 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normally, utility bills are not on your credit. They only appear on your credit report when they are sent to a collection agency. If it's not on there, then that's a really good thing! If it is, then collections can only stay on your report for 7 years from the date of last activity. Then, by law, they are supposed to fall off. Though it might fall off of your report, you would still be responsible for the debt. Creditors are still within their legal rights to come after you for the debt.
Hopefully, when you moved, you had other services turned on at your new residence. You should ask them for a statement that indicates when you first started service with them at your new address. That should be enough proof that you only lived in the location in question for a month.
I hope that helps.
2007-02-08 09:12:29 · answer #2 · answered by YSIC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh yes, a utility bill can be listed on your credit report! For type of account it will say "utility". Best thing to do is dispute it and hope they remove it. If all else fails copy the Better Business Bureau and get them involved. They will usually remove it after that.
2007-02-08 10:23:41 · answer #3 · answered by Kevin K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will have to get proof that you did not live their from your old landlord and take it to the gas company to fight the bill however it is your responsiblity to go have those items shut off. you may get them to adjust your bill but if not you will have it on your credit for 10 years after they file against you which could take 5 years. so this bill could haunt you for a total 15 years after they finally shut off the service unless you pay it off.
and in indiana utility companies DO REPORT to the credit bereau.
2007-02-08 05:06:31 · answer #4 · answered by painfully yours 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋