These mercenaries unfairly determine so much of your lives.

I moved house in September. The property is fitted with pre-paid credit meters for gas and electricity. Aside from the inconvenience, energy unit prices are most expensive with this type of meter.

I telephoned the energy company to arrange the transition to a monthly direct debit. The operator called back and explained I was rejected due to my credit rating.

I checked it with Experian online, paying £14.99 for a privilege. Since I opened a joint account in October it brought the average age of my bank accounts down, to what must be a critical level. Now I must wait for an unspecified length of time and try again. I will incur greater energy costs this winter.

They do a job and I do not question it; they are a necessary evil. Yet my credit rating changed from Excellent to Fair (I have no late payments, in my life, ever) for, what I believe, is a pretty innocuous reason.

Please tell me your tales of woe about credit agencies to make me feel better.