DCA Past Due Letters Help!

beckaboo

My husband is being chased by PastDue for a debt from British Gas from a house he lived in several years ago, for an outstanding electricity bill of £2594.74. After several letters he received an offer to pay £1297.37 'goodwill gesture'. He's sure that when he left the flat the bills were up to date and thinks the electricity may have even been on a key meter so its not his debt. The letter is addressed to him by name, and mentions a debt against the address but no dates.

He sent them a 'prove it' letter from the debt helpline website and they replied by asking him to confirm that a) he occupied the property and b) the dates he entered and vacated the property.

As they haven't confirmed the debt is his, or even confirmed the dates it covered I'm worried that they're trying to trip him up ie he'll say the tenancy dates and by coincidence they will have the same dates for the debt! Or if he gives them the info and confirms he rented the property that they will take this as admitting the debt. Or am I just being too suspicious.

Any ideas?

MusicalLawyer

I'm pretty sure that by sending a prove it letter, that the onus shifts on to the company to prove that the debts belongs to your husband, therefore I don't think your husband would need to provide information relating to the timeframe in which he lived there - especially as they have no dates.

Did your husband inform British Gas that he was moving?

Also, when you say 'several' years ago - exactly how long are we talking?
If it's 6+ it could be statute barred.

thechippy

It's still down to these idiots to prove he owes the money.

Just give them a simple reply..."Yes I was in the property, but the electricity was on a key meter at the time, so how can I owe any money?"

Ask them to forward you copies of any paperwork that suggests / proves the debt is actually owed...and remember that you are dealing with morons.....;)

beckaboo

He moved out of the property about 4 years ago. I'm think he informed British Gas he was leaving, but hasnt kept records of any phone calls or paperwork for this so he has no proof.

Thanks for the letter suggestion, I thought it was up to them to prove it but didnt want them complaining that he's not providing the info requested.

Will ask them to send copies of paperwork that proves the debt, which they wont have so hopefully problem solved.

Thanks for being so helpful, first forum post and wasnt sure id done it right!

WRINKLES

beckaboo wrote: »

He moved out of the property about 4 years ago. I'm think he informed British Gas he was leaving, but hasnt kept records of any phone calls or paperwork for this so he has no proof.

Thanks for the letter suggestion, I thought it was up to them to prove it but didnt want them complaining that he's not providing the info requested.

Will ask them to send copies of paperwork that proves the debt, which they wont have so hopefully problem solved.

Thanks for being so helpful, first forum post and wasnt sure id done it right!

Send a prove it letter/ They wont have proof / problem solved / any more letters from them file them under D for dustbin after shreding.:D

ArthurB

This company is a bunch of clowns. They sent a letter to my address that was intended for my son's ex wife, who does not reside with me, claiming she owes British Gas £26. She's always been on a prepayment meter and is not with British gas. Further she has never had any communication with British gas concerning the alleged debt
In addition they did not say what this alleged debt was in relation to.
To look at the blurb on their website you would believe they had a clue what they were doing.
As others have written, ask them to prove that this money is owed.
Do not pay them a penny!