Warning and advice about LCS Utility Investigation Civil Enforcement Debt Recoveries

SerialRenter

Glad to see the Moneybox team is on the case. They always do a good job of describing peoples experiences.

I've sent over my story and linked them to this thread to have a read (assuming they've not already).

buglawton

I know a case where LCS has been bombarding a council tenant with the usual letters to 'the occupier'. They are enquiring about a date prior to the current tenant moving in. I've advised never, ever reply to LCS.

Now, if LCS were to employ real people and that real person walked around the estate they'd instantly identify that it's sheltered council housing. They'd then instantly be able to call the council and instantly get the previous tenant's name.

It's because British Gas (or whoever) are so massively lazy to employ an even more massively lazy (but irritating) company like LCS, that it's just a monotonous zero results mailshot instead of a resolved case for them.

fermi

Presumably to be about LCS tomorrow.

Radio 4 Moneybox @ 12 midday

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05q4zmp

One listener was surprised when her 19 year son received a letter from a debt recovery company saying he owed British Gas money. Her son, a student, had never held an account and British Gas told her they hadn't instructed any debt company to recover money. Money Box investigates.

Tinkerbell001

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping you can reassure me! My boyfriend is being chased for an LCS debt on behalf of Eon for about £600. Hee does (partially) owe the debt - but it is a shared debt with previous housemates, and there are various reasons why he is not in a position to pay it at the moment so I am not seeking advice on whether he should pay it as I cannot control this.

My worry is, the letters have started coming to my address. My boyfriend has moved with me, however, he is not on my mortgage or any bills whatsoever associated with me or my house. The only link to my address he has is for correspondence for an old council tax bill he is paying off (again for a previous address) and his bank statements.

We are ignoring the letters, but if someone does pay a visit to my house, and I answert he door, what should I say? Should I deny knowing him at all, say he doesn't live here and the house and everything associated with it is mine, or ignore them completely?

I know they have no rights to enter my home and I know I am not liable for the debt, but I am worried about how far they will take this and for my boyfriend. We originally got a letter addressed to him asking if this was his address, which he ignored, and now have had the letter for the debt itself. They have had no contact from either of us so is ignoring them the best option?

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi Tinkerbell001 and welcome to the Forums. Thought I'd pop on with a bit of information that might help.

It sounds as though LCS have sent the letter to your address as part of a general search to find those responsible for unpaid energy. These searches often turn up a number of different addresses (including landlords/letting agents/previous and current occupiers etc) and they'll send letters to each one asking for information about the debt. As you're not on the bill and have no link to the debt, there'll be no claim against you.

Just a heads up for your boyfriend. If he's struggling with this, there's a number of payment arrangements we can look at to help spread the debt over a more manageable period. As it's now gone to LCS, he'll need to talk to our specialist Credit Operations guys. Our Call Centres won't be able to help but can pass him through to this team.

Hope this helps.

Malc

fatbelly

Tinkerbell001 wrote: »

The only link to my address he has is for correspondence for an old council tax bill he is paying off (again for a previous address) and his bank statements.

That would be what links him to your address.

Some info on liability here

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy-supply/energy-bills/understanding-your-energy-bill/who-is-responsible-for-paying-the-energy-bills/

You're not asking whether he should pay this as that is a matter for him. You are asking what should you do if a debt collector appears.

Firstly, that is most unlikely. A collector would have no rights and his visit would likely not be profitable. So these organisations prefer to harass by letter and phone (if they can).

If it did happen, I would advise not to get into a discussion with anyone one this on the doorstep. It's nothing to do with you and you shouldn't give any information.

kelador

Hi guys

Reading a lot of comments about not contacting these guys but unfortunately i did. I have had to sort out a lot of bills and stuff after separating with my partner so thought it was just another one to sort even though i had sorted one from another company (RICHBURNS SERVICES).

Upon ringing them i was put on to a chap that asked for a case number and my name, of which i gave him the case number and asked why he needed to know my name. His response was an extremely comical one of "its for data protection". I then proceeded to tell him that i have correspondence from you you don't need to know my name. To which he replied i cant talk to you unless you give me your name. This went on for a couple of minutes so and me getting irate i gave them a false name, then a false date of birth gave him no email and rang from a work number and gave no other. Now my worry is I told him I moved in partially through the bills date which was the only truth, I know I should have also lied but I got mad and now he says I'm partially liable.

Should i be worried about this now that I have contacted them, ie can it affect my credit or anything to do with my house, are they able to tie bills to a property instead of a customer, its only like £50 ish I believe with partial liability.

Any help appreciated

SensibleSally

Hi everyone.

My situation is that I DO owe some money to a utility company, however LCS are asking me to pay for a period that begins about a week before I moved in, and extends 6 weeks beyond when I moved out of the property. I've tried giving them evidence of the actual dates I was a tenant at this property but they keep ringing me to ask me to prove it again.

Am I in a position to just ignore them until they present me with an accurate bill that is for the dates that I actually owe the utility company for? I don't have the time to be contacting estate agents and landlords from some time ago to get evidence of dates I entered / vacated past premises.

buglawton

SensibleSally wrote: »

Hi everyone.

My situation is that I DO owe some money to a utility company, however LCS are asking me to pay for a period that begins about a week before I moved in, and extends 6 weeks beyond when I moved out of the property. I've tried giving them evidence of the actual dates I was a tenant at this property but they keep ringing me to ask me to prove it again.

Am I in a position to just ignore them until they present me with an accurate bill that is for the dates that I actually owe the utility company for? I don't have the time to be contacting estate agents and landlords from some time ago to get evidence of dates I entered / vacated past premises.

Get enough details from them so they can be prosecuted for phone harassment.

happy_bunny_2

Send them a written complaint, including the dates you were liable.

Complain about telling them and they keep asking.

Tell them once they produce an accurate bill, you will be happy to pay.