Help ! Bill paid each month by DD but United Utilities still threaten court action !

koyli

Just had a phone call threatening court action by United Utilities alleging that there is a sum outstanding on our account.
We can get no details of this alleged sum - the bill is set up to be paid by regular Direct Debit, which HAS been leaving the bank.
Any suggestions on the best next step appreciated ... just what have they been doing with our money ????

Headsabovewater

A bit more info would be helpful

Do you have a water meter?
If so your direct debit is set to cover what the water company thinks you will use based on previous bills and not your actual usage. They will not know the actual amount of usage until they read your meter.
So paying £20 per month on direct debit and using £30.00 of water will cause a reminder at the end of the payment plan and a threat of court action.

If your bill has dramatically increased do a flow test on your water meter to confirm if you have a leak or the meter is faulty.

koyli

We don't have a meter - I thought that meant the bill is based on the rateable value and the amount is set at the start of the billing period, so the monthly amount the direct debit needs to cover should not change?

Headsabovewater

I would call your water company again.
They have either set the payment plan incorrectly from the start.
When was it setup before February or after?
Or as unmeasured accounts are billed in advance your payment plan has been cancelled and you have a reminder for the remainding balance.

koyli

Have spoken to United Utilities who agree the bill is bang up to date and there is not a penny owing (phew, mops brow with relief).
They also say they have not initiated any debt collection procedures and did not recognise the name or number that phoned earlier on their behalf - the number was 08703330159 which looks to be listed for "Intrum Justitia". Maybe some sort of scam going on here as even United Utilities say we don't owe them anything!

Cardew

Debt collecting agency(DCA)

Previous occupant? Mistake? Your previous property?

Do not contact them!!!

Headsabovewater

I would certainly not call Intrum Justitia again.
It is probably an outstanding bill from an old property you lived at.

koyli

We haven't contacted them (and won't be doing so either, from what I have been reading about them on the MSE boards ...) - they keep calling us.
It can't be to do with previous occupants or properties as we have all resided at the address for over 40 years !

Cardew

I would write(not call) to United Utilities and get them to call off their bloodhounds.

koyli

United Utilities have finally admitted this is their mistake - the outstanding amount is owed by another address (not even in the same road, for crying out loud ....) and nothing at all to do with us.
Lets hope there may be a deregulated market sometime soon - at least then we can make a choice and won't have to stay with these incompetent idiots ! :mad:

Headsabovewater

From what I have heard, The water companies a due to renew there hold on certain areas in 2012.
So hopefully it will become an open market and people will get a choice from then on.