South East Water - Beware of this company!!

esmecullen

Just thought I would let you know how this water company are using "thugs" to collect alleged debts.

They are using 2 companies - Credit Solutions and Power 2 Connect. Both of these companies use threats and intimidation to South East Water customers.

How do I know this? Let me tell you

I moved into a property in November 2007 and informed the relevant untility companies shortly before I moved in. Everything seemed to be going smoothly. I started getting bills from South East Water addressed to a previous occupier, so I returned them stating "not known at this address" I then called South East Water and informed them that I was still getting bills/reminders for a previous occupier and that I had not received my bill. I finally received a correct bill from South East Water 3 months after I had first informed them that I was now the occupier of this proeprty!

I then started getting calling cards through the door from a company called Credit Solutions asking the previous occupier to contact them regarding a debt to South East Water. I telephoned them and informed them that the people they wanted to speak to were not living at this address.

A month or so later I had another card from a company called Power 2 Connect saying that I had to contact "Steve" immediately and it had his mobile number on it. Stupidly when I called to inform him that I was not these people, I left my caller ID showing. From then on I received calls on my mobile from this "Steve" 24/7 (or so it seemed) stating that I was responsible for all debts incurred on this property and that I had to pay up or else! I informed South East Water of this as I could never get through to the company. They assured me that this woudl not happen again. I also changed my mobile number.

All has been well up to now. I received my bill for 2009 last Wednesday. On it, it stated that I had £8 owing from the previous bill and to pay this immediately.

On Friday 6th March, 2 days later I was returning home after work. I stopped to speak with a neighbour when this man came out from the porch and shouted at me was I ............. using my surname, no title, just my surname. I said I was and enquired who he was, he said "I'm from Credit Solutions and I'm here for payment of your substantial debt to South East Water". I informed him I was sorry but I did not owe a substantial debt and therefore I would not deal with him. Next thing I know is that he has grabbed my arm and trying to shove a piece of paper up my coat. I screamed to my neighbour to call the Police, he then showved me so ahrd I fell to the ground and he took off. I was so shaken at this.

My neighbour helped me indoors and tried to calm me down I then called south East Water and after a very long wait got through to someone and informed him what had happened. I was put through to a supervisor who eas extremely rude and insisted that I deserved the attack as I owed £290!! I kept trying to get a word in as this male was shouting at me and he informed me "Shut up when I am talking to you"!! I then lost it and told him to shut up and listen to me. He put the phone down on me. As it was then after 7p.m it was no use calling back.

After an agonising night I called South East Water again Saturday morning and made an official complain to someone a bit more reasonable in their manner but he would not assure me that this company would leave me alone. he then confirmed that I did not owe £290, only £8 relating to the bill for 2008

Does anyone thinkI have an offical complaint here for harassment and assault? Who is the best people to make this complaint relating to South East Water's handling of this situation to, obviously South East Water will sweep this under the carpet!! BTW I always pay my bills on time through my bank account

So be warned it looks like South East Water have been taking tips from the Tarrentino films.............. anyone else had such an experience??

dogshome

Hi esmecullen. Wow ! If what you write is correct there are several things you can do.
From what you say, the assualt on you by a Credit Solutions rep. was witnesssed by a neighbor - REPORT THIS TO THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY
Don't contact any one other than by letter. Write to South Essex Water, heading the letter 'Complaint' setting out the history you have given above - if you can include the police crime report number, so much the better. Also point out that these debt collectors are acting on their behalf and that you are incurring costs and and suffering stress in dealing with their error, and that for any further letters, phone calls or visits that you have to deal with on this phantom debt, you will charging them at the rate of £15 per incoming phone call, £20 per incoming letter and £100 per Debt Collectors visit. Just to ram the point home, at the bottom of the letter point out to Southern Water that you are charging £25 for this communication, and that you are prepared to go to the Small Claims Court to recover it.
It does work - I dealt with a similar problem on my son's car insurance when the old insurer, despite being told he was insuring elsewhere, tried to take a Direct Debit to renew his cover from a card that fortunately had been cancelled, and then when they could not get the money - set the Debt Collecting dogs on him. This battle was concluded with them sending him a cheque for £55

esmecullen

Many thanks dogshome............ yeah I've already reported it to the Police and me and my neighbour have made statements. got a crime number as well.

We must be on the same wavelength as I've done most of what you have said in your advice. I've informed South East Water that I will only deal with them and by letter only and if any further communication comes from Credit Solutions or Power 2 Connect I will view this as harassment and take legal action.

I've infromed them that I will be charging for any communications and set out my "fees". doubt if they will give me the money but it may make then think twice about taking the same action again.

I shudder to think if it had been an older person at the receiving end!

Thanks again

esmecullen

Just a short update on this.................

I got a letter from the "head of collections department"

The tone and contents of her letter was totally unacceptable in fact my jaw dropped at her remarks in it. My view from reading it is that she actually condones their agents using threatening & harassing behaviour:eek: .

A strongly worded letter to the managing director is now in order I think.

I just wish I could just tell them where to go and take my business elsewhere, but unfortuantely you cant just chop and change water companies.................... or can you??

ventriloquist

esmecullen wrote: »

Just a short update on this.................

I got a letter from the "head of collections department"

The tone and contents of her letter was totally unacceptable in fact my jaw dropped at her remarks in it. My view from reading it is that she actually condones their agents using threatening & harassing behaviour:eek: .

A strongly worded letter to the managing director is now in order I think.

I just wish I could just tell them where to go and take my business elsewhere, but unfortuantely you cant just chop and change water companies.................... or can you??

Esmecullen, I'm sympathise with you. I would suggest you to write to the Consumer Council for Water, Ofwat, Office of Fair Trading and Credit Services Association. These bodies are extremely powerful in deterring such bullying attitude of the debt collection agencies. They might even fine the water company for employing such agency.

You dont have to write a four separate letter. One letter to CCW is fine, then copy in the rest. There is NO POINT of contacting the company. From my personal experience, they tend to ignore customers' letters. However, please mark your letter as 'Complaint' not 'Enquiry'. Trust me they will treat it differently if you put it as an Enquiry.

Once you have drafted your letter/email, if you need my help, let me know. I'm more than happy to help you. As someone who had been in your situation before, I really know and can appreciate how disturbing the situation is.:money:

esmecullen

Many thanks for that ventriloquist, shall draft a letter over the weekend and send it as you suggested

ventriloquist

esmecullen wrote: »

Many thanks for that ventriloquist, shall draft a letter over the weekend and send it as you suggested

That's great - if you would like me to have a look at your letter just PM me.

Otherwise I really wish you good luck & keep us posted on the progress :money: