British Gas guilty of harassment by Court of Appeal for threatening letters

cookiemoop

They had a locksmith to break the lock apparently. Its quite horrible knowing that complete strangers have been in your home, but British Gas seem to think that a few people phoning up to say sorry and a bunch of flowers (which I gave to a care home) will make up for it. It bothers me that they could be doing this to an elderly person who doesn't understand that a bill doesn't relate to them. They don't seem to care who they chase for payment of a bill as long as someone does.

Grrr!

Sponge

That's absolutely horrific! How can it be legal for them to break into your property like that? I hope you chase them down and throw the book at them.

AndyInYorks

You should report them to the police, and take civil action for trespass.

You may also wish to ask British Gas to replace your diamond ear rings which went missing on the same day they broke into your house.

As far as I know they can only do this if they have a warrant from the court.

Dumbledore55

I moved house on 24th April. I rang British Gas, gave them my new address but didn't move their service to the new house. I told them to send me a bill for what I owed. No bill arrived and I mentioned this to my partner last night saying it was odd because they are usually quick off the mark.

7pm last night I get a call from them saying that as I haven't paid my bill and the Direct Debit is not working, they are sending my details to a Central Collection Agency and that unless I pay immediately it will affect my credit rating. He wouldn't listen when I said I hadn't had a bill and told me I'd had my chance and it was pay now over the phone or they'd send it.

I explained that I hadn't had one request for payment so how could they do that without ensuring I had received a bill? Again he wouldn't listen and blamed it on a postal error. I asked about the electric bill and lo and behold, that was a postal error too!!

I have paid but I'm absolutely furious about being treated in this way and am definitely going to complain.

I'm sure they have to send more than one request for payment (which amazingly got lost) before they can take such drastic action.

G_GREEK_G

I have had similar issues with NPower...After leaving my flat they sent me a final bill for £800 for gas and electricity and expected me to pay it within 7 days. Before I was with NPower i was paying £40 a month for both and that was it, no final bill, nothing. I joined NPower on the basis that this would be the same, £40 a month, no extra charges. Imaging my shock when I opened the final bill!! It then took 3 months for them to set me up onto a payment plan, during this time they sent me approx 15 letters either chasing payment or giving me different payment dates and different amounts. I have since been sent 6(!) different payment cards! They really need to make their minds up

cdd

Tne BBC program Watchdog said that BG was the biritish company with the highest history of complains over a 30 year period. BG has never been able to give a good customer service, they are only interested in people's money like vampires for blood ! :mad:
Take care and make them at least apologize to you in writing. cdd

Dumbledore55 wrote: »

I moved house on 24th April. I rang British Gas, gave them my new address but didn't move their service to the new house. I told them to send me a bill for what I owed. No bill arrived and I mentioned this to my partner last night saying it was odd because they are usually quick off the mark.

7pm last night I get a call from them saying that as I haven't paid my bill and the Direct Debit is not working, they are sending my details to a Central Collection Agency and that unless I pay immediately it will affect my credit rating. He wouldn't listen when I said I hadn't had a bill and told me I'd had my chance and it was pay now over the phone or they'd send it.

I explained that I hadn't had one request for payment so how could they do that without ensuring I had received a bill? Again he wouldn't listen and blamed it on a postal error. I asked about the electric bill and low and behold, that was a postal error too!!

I have paid but I'm absolutely furious about being treated in this way and am definitely going to complain.

I'm sure they have to send more than one request for payment (which amazingly got lost) before they can take such drastic action.

jiali

Hi everyone

I got the same problem. I received the first letter from BG debt collection company 6 months ago. 2 years ago I had lived in a property for one year (share with others). I found out the person who was living with me at the time changed account to my name just before we moved out of the property.
I had called BG many times to explain them that I was not aware about it and never called them to set up an account. The debt collection company kept on sending me letter. I am calling them just because I don't want to spoil my credit history.
It's been 6 months and nothing has changed. I want to take them to the court for harassment. Does anyone know any good lawyer or solicitor company for such case?

Many Thanks
Jia

gotgamegurl

Cardew wrote: »

I have no time for DCAs, but if a company gives them an invoice or bill and states that it has not been paid, what more can the DCAs demand?

Are you sure this is a valid unpaid bill- Yes!, Are you really really sure? -Yes.

They should demand the written / signed agreement from you that the company should have if you really owe them the money. If they have given you something which you didn't have to pay for straight away, then you would have had to of entered into a credit agreement or contract.

In my case they should have demanded to see the enrollment form which includes a credit agreement. Which I couldn't have even done at the time as I was 17.

Also in my case a deposit was required on enrollment to cover the costs of postage - yet ICS were demanding the full cost of the course including this deposit amount.

gotgamegurl

donglefan wrote: »

gotgamegurl, is it possible you could apply for legal aid to sue ICS, or as the judge implied in this case involving BG, ask the local authority for help?
It seems that the only way to stop these tenacious debtcollectors is to take the initiatave and sue them, and since you mention financial hardship yourself, I wondered if you might be able to get help doing that.

I have already asked my solicitor about this & apparently I cannot get legal aid to sue anybody _pale_

smittenkitten666

deleted...