Warning and advice about LCS Utility Investigation Civil Enforcement Debt Recoveries

greensalad

So I have been being harassed by this lot since earlier this year.

They say I have an outstanding debt with EDF. I have called EDF and they say I have no such debt. I *did* have some debt (£80) with EDF from an old property which I paid direct to them and they were happy with that agreement. I've asked them to call off LCS as this was obviously a mistake and they claim they have, but I still get calls 2-3 times a week. I don't get letters anymore... or maybe I do... since I've moved property and LCS aren't aware of my new address.

I guess my question is... has anyone ever actually been to court for this? The charge in question doesn't show up on my credit report so I don't think it's affecting anything... I just wish they would stop ringing! I never answer but get regular voicemails.

If no one has ever gone to court then I feel like I should just leave it and live with the calls/get a new number (contract is coming to an end soon and I do get sales calls from other stuff so maybe it's a good idea to switch after 6 years). But if someone has gone to court, then that's got me worried. I know I'd never have any problems as I'm in the right but I still don't like the idea of it!

SerialRenter

I had a similar issue Greensalad,

It was a debt for a rental i used to live in, listed as "the occupier", but for a period i didn't live there, and for a supplier i was never with.

British gas were pretty incompetent, when i first phoned to complain about the harassment i was receiving, they agreed the debt was nothing to do with me, yet refused to call off LCS as "the debt is valid, just its not for you" *facepalm*.

At that point i'd only been receiving letters but after i'd rung BG from my work phone and had the conversation above, LCS started phoning me at work :eek: BG has clearly passed along my number!

Took another three phone calls to BG and an official complaint before i managed to get BG to get them off my back.

redundant1999

My first dealings with LCS began this morning with a letter address to my partner claiming outstanding debt on EDF Energy bills ranging from 2009 till 2011 to the sum of £1100.

I need some advice, because it looks like there has been quite a bit of confusion.

1. My partner took out the supply but immediately transferred it to her housemate who continued to pay the DD. I have the name, time, date of the person she spoke with, but when I called EDF they claim to have changed systems so have no record of this phone conversation.

2. No direct debits were ever taken from my partner's account. The bills were paid up until her leaving the shared house. However, the according to EDF, the account was no closed till a full year later.

3. From 2010 till now, my partner bought her own home and lived there, assuming that the account had been closed by the other tenant. This obviously didn't happen, and somehow the account is still in my partner's name although the direct debit was in her housemate's name.

How the heck do we prove that she moved from the said property in 2010? There is no sign of a tenancy agreement. I have Council tax documents where she starts paying for a different property etc., but EDF are demanding a tenancy agreement.

Where do we stand with the confusion? She didn't close the account because she no longer thought it was in her name. Why are we only hearing about this now, some 4 years later? How did they find her details and what the heck can we do about this?

sujx

Hi, I've just received my second letter having had an argument with Southern Electric concerning my previous address electricity bill.
Apparently when I phoned to register at my new address they informed me that my key hadn't registered any payments in over 10 years,.. therefore I owed over £2000. Obviously I've been topping up my key each week but because I had no receipts I could not prove that I had topped up my key. I telephoned pay point and they said it was ridiculous do not pay. Anyway I've written to them and refuse to pay as as far as I am concerned I've topped up each week used said electric topped up again etc etc. Any ideas what else I can do especially as now they've referred it to this company Thanks
Su

Stickers

Hi


I have read through the responses and I have a question if any one can help as my situation doesn't quite fit any of the replies.


I moved into my new house and completed on a said date bear in mind that I "exchanged contacts" one week earlier. I waited for the new occupier utility bill to arrive (EON) which was one week after completion date. I gave the meter readings and set up an account all good.


However a bill from Eon arrives with the outstanding bill from the last tenants meter reading to the ones I submitted. I purchased a house that was once rented. It was only £20 or so but I hate energy companies and called Eon. They said don't worry not your bill (should of asked for proof).


Now I have a letter from LCS wanting leading information about move in dates etc but addressed to the occupier/Landlord.


When you exchange contracts would that technically make me liable for the bill even though I didn't have the keys to the house as the previous owner who was the land lord had them.


Not sure if I should just pay it to stop them trying to ruin credit rating etc.


Thanks

buglawton

LCS won't know who you are unless you tell them. Don't. It looks like the previous occupier did not give a final reading or there's a gap. LCS is the industry's clumsy and unpopular way of trying to account for any gaps.

retepetsir

As above. We were badgered by them after completing on our house last year. I ended up getting sick of it so I have them the details of the vendors and have not heard from them since. That was after setting up a new account with British Gas who then chased us!!!

buglawton

Would it not in any case be a breach of the Data Protection Act if you informed LCS of any details about the previous occupant?

Stickers

I will follow Buglawtons view on this and see if I get another letter with my name on it.


Thanks

retepetsir

buglawton wrote: »

Would it not in any case be a breach of the Data Protection Act if you informed LCS of any details about the previous occupant?

The letter and form itself asked for the details and we were sick of people knocking on our door, it was getting ridiculous. That was after only a few months of having moved in.

Stickers - good luck, it got very annoying for us.