British gas, unknown debt and harassment

mymoney1980

Hi

I came to uk on 27th of December , 2009 and started living at a place, 27 grittleton avenue, ha9 6nx on sharing basis. I shared my room with another two guys. The guy who rented that place was subletting to us on sharing basis and this is his whole sole source of income.
I moved out of that place around 10th of Feb., 2010. The guy said he might put the gas bill on my name as it might help me for opening up bank accounts etc and since it was a prepaid bill, it was of no use to bank. I opened up my bank account using my provisional driving licence.
I received a letter from wescot debt collection service on 13th of august, 2010 asking me to pay a bill of £583 and said that I had electricity bill pending to BG at the above said address for the period of Jan to April, 2010. I immediately contacted the debt collection guys explaining that I had no knowledge of the bill and I never opted for the service mentioned above. I was there on sharing basis which includes every bill. I also never called up BG to change electricity bill onto my name.

I also called up the guy who does subletting. When asked, he said, he did change the bill on my behalf earlier (without asking me ) along with the prepaid gas bill and also he said, he would contact the debt guys as well as BG and would pay the bills now.

After that, I heard nothing from him and got a letter from wescot service that based on my explanation, they did an internal investigation and decided to close my case and also returned my account to the BG guys.

When I called up BG complaints department and explained them that I was there for just 1 and half month and also, I had no tenancy agreement with the landlord as the actual tenant sublet the place on temporary basis. They said, I have to pay the amount £163 which they have amended based on the explanation. I told them that I never opted for their service or called up to make electricity bill on my name. BG explained, then someone must have done that who's got my details (the guy who sublet that place took a copy of my passport since that was my only identity by then and he said, it’s for security) and since BG cant chase everyone, either I have to contact the landlord and arrange the payment or just have to pay the bill on my own. They also said that my account has been passed on to some other debt collection agency that would be in touch soon.

I tried to contact the guy who sub lets the place, he stopped taking my calls or returning it.

Anybody has any suggestion for me, what should I do? I also fear that this thing might happen again in future as the guy has my passport details.

mr.ton

Personally i wouldnt bother ringing these idiots anymore - you'd get more sense from an infant playground than what you would from these clowns...
Simply report BG to the relevant authorities and any DCA that starts harassing you to the OFT & trading standards.
You might also want to report the landlord to the authorities as well.

NorthernLas

OP: The person you rented from, has used your details without your authority (they have committed fraud). But, it could be difficult for you to prove since you lived there. I would phone British Gas again and tell them of the fraud. You may find that paying the £163 would be the simplest way to resolve things.

If you think this person may use your details again, you can register with CIFAS. What this means is that anytime someone applies for accounts, they will have to go through extra checks. It costs £14.10 for a year. http://www.cifas.org.uk/default.asp?edit_id=874-85