Unpaid Electric Bill (then Moved)

[Lowfront]

I lived in this condo for 2 years and moved out recently.

My question is that I have a $450 electric bill under my name still withstanding at this location.

I'm just wondering what would happen if I don't pay this balance.

Will it hurt my credit score or will I just not be able to get service from this electric company again till I pay it?

Thanks guys

[disneysteve]

I'm just wondering what would happen if I don't pay this balance.

Will it hurt my credit score

If this bill is 2 years old, surely it has already impacted your credit score. Have you ever looked at your credit report to see if it is listed? Go to annualcreditreport.com and you can get a free report from each of the 3 credit bureaus. If you want your credit score, go to myfico.com. You do need to pay for your score. The reports are free.

[wnlbutterfly]

We had an odd situation with a utility bill and moving. Living in the same town, we had moved from one rental to the next and lived at that rental for 7 yrs. I assumed everything was paid up and it's not like we changed names on the account. But we bought a house and I went in to change the utilities into our name (day of closing) and found out we had an outstanding bill for the very first rental. They were getting ready to send it to collections (AFTER 7 YEARS). My thought was how hard would it have been to send us a bill in the mail, they had all our info? Wow...what detectives they are.

It would really depend on the electric company, I don't think our utility office ever reports late payments or non-payments (they just turn off your power if you are a day late).

Personally I would pay it just because you never know when it will pop again.

[Lowfront]

It isn't 2 years old. 2 months. I'm going to pay it. Not worth the risk for me.

[disneysteve]

It isn't 2 years old. 2 months. I'm going to pay it. Not worth the risk for me.

Sorry. Misread that. So this is a current bill. Why exactly are you thinking about not paying it?

[cschin4]

If you owe the money, you should pay it. That is what responsible adults do. For your own sake and your own self integrity, you do not blow off things or engage in dishonesty. If this is not your bill but a mistake by the landlord or electric company, then you need to work that out. But, if the apt was in your name during that time and you still were technically responsible for those bills then pay.

[disneysteve]

If you owe the money, you should pay it. That is what responsible adults do. For your own sake and your own self integrity, you do not blow off things or engage in dishonesty. If this is not your bill but a mistake by the landlord or electric company, then you need to work that out. But, if the apt was in your name during that time and you still were technically responsible for those bills then pay.

I agree completely. If the bill is accurate, you need to pay it. If it is not accurate, you need to work to get it corrected and removed from your record.

[cschin4]

I'm just wondering what would happen if I don't pay this balance.

What if nothing happens? Does that somehow make it right or justify not paying what you owe? I don't understand this kind of thinking at all.

[canadamom]

If you ever try for services in the same city they will deny until debt paid.

[Angio333]

If you owe the money, pay it as soon as possible, It would be unethical not to.

[gk advocate]

That's right.. Plus you don't have to worry about your credit score later on..

If you owe the money, pay it as soon as possible, It would be unethical not to.