Problems with British Gas

Jimmykitten

Hi, this is the first time I've posted on the forum but I've had really good advice reading posts in previous months and I was hoping some other members might be able to help me.

Basically 3 years ago I moved into a flat, British Gas were supplying the electricity and I decided to carry on using them, I gave the meter readings, paid my bills and when I left 15 months later I paid my final bill.

A few months later they even send me a cheque for 45 pounds as I'd been overcharged.

Sound great?

However 2 weeks ago I had a call from British Gas collections department on a mobile number I didn't have when I lived in the flat (its registered in my husbands name also, not mine) and asking for me by my married name (my account was in my maiden name) advising I owe £514 to them!

Imagine my shock!

I phoned the billing department as I had luckily kept my receipt for my final bill, only to be told that they weren't disputing the payments I'd made... they were saying I owed an EXTRA £512 on top of what I've already paid.

They advised they'd been 'given' new meter readings from the start of my tenancy 3 years ago but couldn't tell me when or by whom!

Also, conveinently for them all my old bills had been deleted now my account had been 'rebilled'

They advised they could send it for re-billing and would call me back on 18th to advise of the outcome but I would still have to pay....funnily enough no one has called me back.

I don't know what to do! They are saying I have to prove I gave the correct meter readings at the time but I don't see how I can prove anything when I dont even live there!

Any ideas?