British gas chasing me for non-existent debt

caxia

Hi MSEs

Wonder if anyone could give me their thoughts on this:

In march 2008 we shut a shop. On the last day we read all the meters and contacted all utility suppliers with readings and a forwarding address for bills. Then handed the keys back to the landlord. We did the right thing and closed a business without owing anyone a penny.

Since then British Gas (supplied us with gas and electricity) have on 4 occasions tried to bill us for energy we didnt use. I wont bore you with the details of why they did this but every time I ring up to complain they agree that the debt is not mine.

Last weekend I received a bill for £252. On Monday the complaints department agreed I didnt owe this in fact they owe me 82p.

On tuesday I got a letter from a debt collection agency saying I owed British Gas £67 and they had been appointed to retrieve it.

I rang British Gas straight away who said they had told the agency I didnt owe anything.

This morning a pleasant man from the debt collection agency rang to ask me to cough up. He said British Gas hadnt spoken to them and the debt was still outstanding. I told him he had to speak to them again but I just know this isnt the end of it.

Sorry about the ramble but apart from the hassle my real concern is:

Will I now have a poor credit rating? I have always paid all debts and bills on time. I have not had a loan in years and never missed mortgage payment.

What shall I do?

Thanks for reading my rant by the way!

vax2002

Tell the debt company the debt is denied and if they refuse to deny it you request they proceed to county court at the earliest opportunity.
That you will hold them liable for monetary compensation should ANY adverse credit marker be entered in absence of judgement.

fluffnutter

Have you written to BG?

If debt collectors contact you again, advise the debt is denied and that they must cease harassing you. If they continue, report it to the police.

Write to BG (recorded delivery) stating the facts as you see them and requesting written confirmation that they have properly closed your account and agree no charges are outstanding. Get a copy of your credit file to check whether they've added any default notices. If they have, write again and ask that these are removed. If they don't, send the letter from BG confirming you have no debt to the credit reference agencies and ask them to correct your file.

This all might take time and patience.

caxia

Thanks vax2002 and fluffnutter. I appreciate your comments and will do as you suggest. British gas customer care really is awful.