British Gas - wrong billing address

Guys_Dad

Just wondered if anyone else has had this problem.

I am with EDF Energy for both my Gas and Electricity. A couple of months ago, I received 2 letters from British Gas on the same day - both addressed to the same person - whose name was of foreign origin as opposed to my common British name - ( I mention this only to avoid any MSE member suggesting that it was a name confusion) with Gas and Electricity bills attached.

I rang BG to inform them they had the wrong address and from the account information, they confirmed the bills related to another house down the same street. I queried how their system could record the supply being at one address, yet the supply being at another. They supposedly updated their records during my call.

Two or three weeks later, another two letters arrived, and I posted them through the correct letterbox.

Today, I opened my mail and, in error, opened yet another letter to the same people, this time from BR collections, advising that they were in arrears and promising dire consequences. There was a 2nd one as well that I didn't open, but I assume was for the Electricity supply

Rang BG and yet again an unconvincing BG rep said that they were updating the records and not to worry.

I have 2 concerns. The first is any possible connection between debtors who have nothing to do with me, my address and my credit record.

The second is, if they continue to refuse to pay their bills and BG's systems still record them at my address, then I will find my gas & electric supply cut off and not theirs.

The houses concerned are bot detached and some distance apart.

Anyone had any similar problem or advice?

jalexa

Guys_Dad wrote: »

Rang BG and yet again an unconvincing BG rep said that they were updating the records and not to worry.

I have 2 concerns. The first is any possible connection between debtors who have nothing to do with me, my address and my credit record.

Well FWIW, here is my advice. Don't take resposibility for doing BG's job.

There has been a recent thread or two about the "legalities" of opening mail addressed to others. (I think the opinion is uncertain but you can make up your own mind).

Assuming you don't "accidently" open them I would suggest returning them "unknown at address" to the return address. If you do "accidently";)open the letter *I* would photocopy or scan the contents.:D Probably send back the opened letter.

Regarding your credit record concern, you don't "own" an address, even a property you "own"! You only own your "identity" (full name and DOB).

However it is prudent to obtain your Equifax and/or Experian credit report from time to time to check that all is in order. A statutory report costs £2. This would be a good time if you have a concern

Guys_Dad

Thanks for that.

The problem with returning "Not known at this address" is that, in the end, if my gas were to be cut off, then, yes, it would get sorted out and probably BG would have to put their hands in their pockets to compensate.

Now I am not really onto "'uman rights" and "compensashun", but don't fancy the palaver involved in sorting things out after the event, rather take steps to avoid it.

Might go for a credit expert report in due course - either the £2 basic or free trial.

As for accidentally opening mail without checking addressee - not usually a problem if you live alone, so easily done.

BenNevis

jalexa wrote: »

Well FWIW, here is my advice. Don't take responsibility for doing BG's job.

This is poor advice IMO.

Guy’s Dad, BG’s records obviously show a debtor living at your address and this could affect your credit rating. Surely your best bet is to email (not phone) BG and make a formal complaint setting out the facts as you have in your post. Ask for a complaint reference number. I believe they should sort this out within 28 days.

jalexa

BenNevis wrote: »

BG’s records obviously show a debtor living at your address and this could affect your credit rating

But that is not true. An occupier's "credit rating" is not affected in the way you suggest. Always assuming the credit record has been correctly compiled, hence the advice to obtain a credit report.

Regarding your advice "to complain", there I agree with you, though the OP seems relucant. BG have been given one chance to resolve the issue, they failed, so they deserve a complaint. Good advice.

Later Edit. Cooperate with the BR collections people. *They* have a vested interest in tracking down the debtor. No success no fee.

BenNevis

jalexa wrote: »

But that is not true. An occupier's "credit rating" is not affected in the way you suggest.

I wouldn’t bank on that.

Your advice was basically for the OP to bury his head in the sand even though he feared possible problems including disconnection.

Your advice was in effect to ignore BG. Mine was to get it sorted. Yours was poor advice IMO.

Also the accidental opening of a letter with the OP’s address on it is most certainly not a criminal offence. However I suspect that scanning the contents would be, and your post appears to be an incitement to others to do the same is also a criminal offence.

jalexa

BenNevis wrote: »

I wouldn’t bank on that.

What I actually said was -

jalexa wrote:

"But that is not true. An occupier's "credit rating" is not affected in the way you suggest. Always assuming the credit record has been correctly compiled, hence the advice to obtain a credit report"

Sometimes it is necessary to restate matters of fact. And anyway there was just a hint of "irony" in my comments.

Go read up on Smilies.

BenNevis

I don’t know why you think I am a troll. Please explain.

Your use of over large text shows you have lost it. Just accept it matey, you gave poor advice.

jalexa

BenNevis wrote: »

Just accept it matey...

Oh dear. I was right.

dogshome

Hi Guys Dad - Forget the semantics of opening mail not addressed to you, and get proactive with BG as your are the one who has his innocent coat tails enmeshed in their computer driven accounting machine

If you think contacting the Customer Desk by phone is a certain way to deal with the problem and just let it run, it's likely that you will come home and find entry has been forced to dis-connect the Utilities

List the history of this saga in a letter to BG headed "COMPLAINT"

Guys_Dad

Thanks for the advice guys.

I have returned both letters to British Gas in their envelopes (sorry about the lack of stamps BG ) writing on the letter that they have the wrong address and giving them the correct one.

I have also gone on BG's web site and filled in a complaint form that they have. Good thing about that is that you get an email by return containing a copy of what you typed on their form, so they can't deny receipt.

Now to await their promised reply.

Also done a free trial of Equifax (and diaried cancelling it after a week) and no problems on my record - so far!