Urgently need help!

BARGAINHUNTER!

Yesterday, I opened a letter from Npower sent to my address. Unfortunately, I did not notice that it didn't have my name at the top, but it had my address. The letter was address to my ex, who I am still friendly with. He moved out over 2 years ago. The letter is demanding payment for an outstanding electricity bill £2,373.36. My ex is away at the moment, but I have spoken to him on the phone about it. When we were together, we used to pay all our bills by direct debit, including our gas and electricity. We always used to get our gas and electricity from the same company. We used to move around companies, depending on who was offering the best deal, always getting dual fuel and paying by direct debit. When my ex moved out I got my gas and electricity from Scottish Power in my name, and continue to do so, again by direct debit.

Now, this is the first time we have heard from Npower about any money outstanding. Its odd that they are just chasing electricity and its for a huge amount - why on earth have they not contacted us in two years? Surely they would have been banging on the door to cut us off if that much was owed! or at the very least sent letters chasing the money!! Now the problem we have is proving that we don't owe this money. I havent kept any bills from two years ago, and neither has my ex. What, if anything can we do to prove we don't owe this money? Shall i just send the bill back saying 'not known at this address' which is correct as my ex no longer lives here?

Im getting a bit worried about this as I don't want to find my electricity suddenly cut off!!

Rikki

If you changed suppliers when your ex moved out then is this bill before or after this time?

It maybe they haven't closed the account when you changed suppliers. Check the meter readings with those at the time you changed over.

BARGAINHUNTER!

Thanks for the quick response. What I have opened isn't actually a bill but a reminder, so there are no meter readings. I have phoned Npower, and at first the lady wouldn't talk to me because she said that the account didn't belong to me. I explained that it was address to someone else (not telling her it was my ex) but sent to my address and concerned electricity allegedly supplied to my property. She then told me that from what she could see on the screen she couldn't make sense of it, but it looks as if the account was reviewed in October 2008 and they decided to send a bill, which we havent received. What we have received is a reminder to pay that bill. The lady said that the bill covered a period up to 5/7/07. I have been through my paperwork, and I have a letter from Scottish Power stating that my dual fuel account in my name has been set up dated 10/7/07. I have also found an old Npower bill dated 17/12/03 addressed to my ex and its a dual fuel statement. I have found a final account from Npower dated 11/7/07 (this shows the same account number as the old Npower bill I found which is for dual fuel) which shows the balance to be £0 but only mentions gas? The reminder letter mentions a different account number all together! Im confused!

Jubbs

Ok, its a tricky one, what I would do is get your Ex to contact npower, advise that he gives you authority to discuss the account. You can then legitimately ask for them to fully justify the balance, including what charges are for what period and why it has taken so long for them to contact you regarding you it.

To be honest if it is new charges for whatever reason they should be wiped off as they are over 12 months old. So dont panic, just obtain information. Feel free to post more info or message me when you get something for further advise.