Buchanan Clarke and Wells

fifixx

I have been called by the above company today, threatening me with disconnection tomorrow if I didn't pay my outstanding bill.

I have changed banks and not had time to reinstate NPower's direct debit or pay the one and only bill I have ever had (I am usually in credit). I have called NPower to explain the situation twice over the last month and they were quite happy to wait for payment by the end of June, telling me to ignore any letters from collection agencies (one also came from Collections Direct based in Swindon).

The reason was that my mum was in hospital and has since passed away so I have been here and there and not getting on top of things until today. I told NPower this too.

The scottish girl who called had a thick Glasgow accent which was quite difficult to understand and was very specific that if I did not pay up by 9am tomorrow, the disconnection procedure would start and it could be tomorrow. She was fairly scary even to me - so if it had been a little old lady or someone who was not up to standing up to her, I cannot imagine how distressed they would have been - I was near to tears.

I have complained to NPower after calling them, paying just under a quarter of the bill (£75) and reinstating the direct debit. I also called Consumer Direct who have logged the complaint. It is not true they can come into your house to disconnect - they need a warrant, so she was lying which must me illegal. Consumer Direct also told me to write to NPower, Buchanan Clarke and Wells and also Watchdog.

If anyone has any experience of this, please complain - by letter if possible, so that we can stop this. Most people do want to pay their bills but find themselves in difficult times so I wish that NPower would use their own staff to chase payments.

ssc_dougal

i work as i welfare rights and debt solutions worker and this is very common among all debt collection agencies, they seem to prey on peoples fears of abilifs etc spread by poplular movies where they just barge their way into peoples homes.

the only way this will ever be stopped is if everyone fully understood their rights and the laws. unfortunately this is unlikely.

Plushchris

That is rubbish, there is no way a debt collection agency can tell you when or if you will be disconnected. It would have to come from the energy company.

Premier_2

fifixx wrote: »

...I have complained to NPower after calling them, paying just under a quarter of the bill (£75) and reinstating the direct debit. I also called Consumer Direct who have logged the complaint. It is not true they can come into your house to disconnect - they need a warrant, so she was lying which must me illegal. Consumer Direct also told me to write to NPower, Buchanan Clarke and Wells and also Watchdog....

Have you mutually agreed a repayment plan with nPower?
Or have you unilaterally decided just to pay a quarter of the amount you owe? If the latter, I suggest you start negotiating with nPower before wasting time writing anywhere else.

It might even be that nPower has sold the debt on, so it may be the debt collectors you need to be negotiating with.

fifixx

Npower have set up a direct debit and I will pay a bit more monthly than my usual one until the debt is cleared.

I think they just hand over late payments to these people as I was just one payment late - the first time ever!

fifixx

When I called NPower and explained I was having some difficulty paying, the person asked if I could pay £75 and then the rest would be put on extended payment by direct debit. As I could pay this sum, I didn't try for less - but also I was so relieved that I wasn't going to be cut off that I just agreed!

I will write a letter to them pointing out the problems - maybe if they get lots, they will do something...

fifixx

had a call from NPower to apologise to me when they received the letter - I pointed out that harassing people is not very nice....she said she would note my comments - so into the back of a filing cabinet I go!