Npower loses case over Debt Collector harassment and non-existent debt

fermi

http://www.credittoday.co.uk/news/news-item.cfm?news=1975#

Quote:

"Utility giant npower has lost a legal battle after a customer took it to court over alleged persistent harassment by debt collection agencies (DCAs).

Customer Christopher Poncelet had been battling the energy firm for three years after it sent a succession of incorrect energy bills which led to demands for money he did not owe, and a succession of debt collection firms demanding payment for a debt which did not exist.

Over a three-year period Poncelet, 63, received 15 inaccurate bills from npower, faced demands for money which was not owed on 11 occasions and 14 attempts by debt collectors to recover money.

When he tried to switch suppliers he was told he couldn’t because of the debts. After seeking help from Ofcom Poncelet took court action and was awarded £3,000 damages by Northampton County Court for persistent harassment.

Judge Bray described npower’s conduct as: "The oppressive and unacceptable conduct of a large company over a small individual.""

RAS

Wel done Christopher.

SafeDavid

I'm contemplating taking NPower to court - not for harassment (although they're doing it to me!) but for breach of contract.

This is basically about a doorstep salesman visit in June 2008 where I signed up to "Price Fix 2011" at rates offered which were very attractive. The salesman wrote down the rates which would apply (7.554p for elec, 2.12p for gas) and would be the same right through until Dec 2010.

Like an idiot I signed up and NP promptly put me on a much higher tariff. My claim is that the verbal contract entered into at doorstep is binding - I have paid at those rates, ignoring NPower's bills at standard rate.

Obviously a massive gap has opened up - I estimate it will be about £2,500 by the end of the contract in December this year

Two questions:
1) Is anyone else in the same boat?
2) It would help my case to know whether anyone out there signed up for this same "Price Fix 2011" package AFTER 1st July 2008. NP claimed to me that this "product" had been withdrawn on 1st July 2008 and I'm not sure I believe them. If I could find someone who signed up to it after that date it would help my case in that I could prove they lied to me.

fermi

Bump for link......