OVO reporting a closed account with over £1k still outstanding - but it’s incorrect

[Blushingm]

I checked my credit file and OVO are reporting a settled account - closed in 2022 with £1007 outstanding.

I was an SSE customer and my account migrated to OVO when they merged and my account has never closed - in fact I’m currently in credit with OVO

Im furious as ex DH left me with CCJs etc and debts that I’ve worked hard to pay off but this will have been affecting my credit for 4 years

OVO say they don’t know how this has happened and acknowledge it’s incorrect but they don’t know how to resolve it as I was an SSE customer at the time even though the debt shows on my file as being owed to OVO with the account closed (but with an outstanding balance)

What can I do - this has been an incorrectly reported account for 4 years. I’ve remortgaged in that time and wasn’t accepted for the lowest rate, they told me based on my credit file - could this account possibly be why?

OVO bought SSE so it doesn’t matter if you weren’t an OVO customer at the time.

ask for their complaints procedure. Follow it. And then if they cannot resolve go to the energy ombudsman who will resolve it on your behalf.

I’m in exactly the came position. OVO took over my account from SSE and are claiming I had £1000 debt owed to SSE for Electricity so refused to put me on a direct debit scheme. I am only allowed a top up meter for my electricity but they’re quite happy to allow me to pay for gas by direct debit for some reason!
strangely non of this appears on my credit file! I’ve asked OVO for a break down of the debt and they claim they will write to me with this. I’ve asked twice over a number of years and they never send it and never ask me to repay the debt! I can’t shop around for my gas and electricity because there’s a debt attached to my account so looks like I’m stuck with OVO forever.
arrrrghhhhhhhh

I’m following their complaint process - 1st it was I’d have a response in 48 hours, then 5 days, then they’re unable to resolve the complaint so it’s been escalated and they’ll come back in 10 days…..it’s so frustrating.

Theyve said because the account was an SSE account they can’t amend it, which doesn’t make sense as I can still view my SSE bills in the OVO app - my SSE account never closed it migrated and I didn’t owe the money, I have always paid DD

So it’s not just me then??? I wonder if there’s more of us then?

mine shows on my Experian file under closed accounts but not my Equifax or transunion - have you checked yours isn’t being reported too?

Frustrating as it is, OFGEM won't help you until you've exhausted their complaints process or it's been 8 weeks since you initially complained so you've got some waiting to endure unfortunately.

Can I suggest you check out CEOemail.com, this will give you the direct email of the CEO of most major companies. I think you will find that your issue will be expedited and resolved quickly... One of my previous roles was working as an EA to the CEO of a Blue Chip company and we would always get these closed down pretty quickly.

Thank you! I will give it a go