Southern Electric want money from 2008

[Deleted User]

Just had an email from Southern Electric saying that I owe them some money from 2008 due to an error in their accounting department.

Is there some sort of time limit where they can ask for this?

[Deleted User]

Just a bit more info.

I actually left SE at the end of 2008 and they sent me a final bill which showed a credit, this they refunded me.

They are now saying they refunded me too much and want the difference back....

So they wait for over 3 years and then give me 10 days to pay!

dogshome

SE can adjust thier accounting at any time up to 6 years, but that said, them just asking for money by Email isn't on

You are entitled to detailed billing with a late demand and/or a written explanation of what error occured.
Whilst they can bill, there is the question of why it's so late and in some circumstances the debt could be barred by the "No late Billing beyond 12 months " agreement.

I suggest that when you get the full details of this 'Debt' you post them here

Just seen your Post 2 - As above you need written evidence as to how the error occured. You can demand copies of all the bills they issued to you, and they have to supply them,

jalexa

[quote=[Deleted User];50342501]
They are now saying they refunded me too much and want the difference back....
[/QUOTE]

A few points to consider. Are you satisfied the email is genuine? How much money is being demanded? Struggling to see an "email" is a valid VAT invoice subject to 10 days payment terms (unless it is a bone fide invoice as an attachment).

I suggest to you adopt a different position than the hint of "won't pay". Call the organisation and speak to them nicely. As the last poster advised ask for a detailed breakdown. Ask for the date the provision of the detailed invoice/explanation will be provided by. For the telephone record check back with the adviser the date agreed. Then wait. Either accept or post for further advice.

However if the invoice/explanation is not provided by the promised date move immediately to a formal complaint in writing or by email. Do not engage in telephone discussion. At that stage the issue should be stayed until resolution or deadlock.

That's it for now.

meggsy

You left them 3 years ago, make sure as Jalexa says that the email is genuine, have you phoned to check ?

macman

I can't believe they would make this request by email. It has 'scam' written all over it!

[Deleted User]

Sorry for the confusion, my fault. The email said to log into my account at their website.

So I searched for SE and logged in and downloaded the pdf file that just shows "This is your final gas bill for January 2012." (I left them in September 2008!)

I have rung them and it's to do with the interaction of the gas and electricity account so they are asking for some of the money at the final statement that they paid me back.

Anyway, it's now in their investigations department as it's been over three years and it's not my fault, not like I haven't paid a bill or anything.

jalexa

[quote=[Deleted User];50350643]Sorry for the confusion, my fault. The email said to log into my account at their website.

So I searched for SE and logged in and downloaded the pdf file that just shows "This is your final gas bill for January 2012." (I left them in September 2008!)
[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the update.

If there is any "new consumption" (units not ££s!!!) on the January 2012 gas bill which did not appear on your leaving bill then IMO "back-billing provisions" should apply (and you could have nothing to pay:)). Southern Electric are not signatories to the Billing Code but the Billing Code is only a convenient "packaging" of what the regulations require (also of Southern Electric who have their own code of practice to implement the requirement of the regulations).

If the units were accurately billed when you left I am not 100% certain:(. Negotiate hard. As you say you have done nothing wrong.

[Deleted User]

The January "bill" contains no real information about units or anything, just states that I owe them money, not how it happened.

After speaking to them I do now know how it happened, but it's their accounts department that screwed up.

I have asked for all the figures as I no longer have the final bills so do not know if what they are saying happened actually happened.

The statements are no longer on-line either.

[Deleted User]

Latest now is that after looking into it they are writing the full amount off as it was their accounting error and it was over a year ago.

As far as I am concerned this was the correct result, shouldn't have got the demand in the first place, but all's well that ends well.

DVardysShadow

[quote=[Deleted User];50480091]Latest now is that after looking into it they are writing the full amount off as it was their accounting error and it was over a year ago.

As far as I am concerned this was the correct result, shouldn't have got the demand in the first place, but all's well that ends well.[/QUOTE]
Make sure you get it in writing that the charge is cancelled! Sometimes these things just don't go away.