Debt Collection 1 year after paying final bill

DMJ99

Hi

Last year (19th March) I moved out of my previous rented property. I phoned EDF and provided final gas and electicity readings. I gave them my new address to send the final bill to and when it arrived I paid the £9.97 electric and £193.95 gas bill on the 8th April 2011. I still have these bills and the note on them of the date they were paid.

Yesterday, a year later, I get 2 separate letters through from EOS debt collection saying they have ran a credit check with Experian to obtain my address and that I owe £24.69 Electric and £78.44 Gas from the old property.

I know the readings I gave were accurate at the time of moving out. I also know the landlord didn't re-let the property for a couple of months after we'd gone but I don't know whether to go diretly back to EDF or to EOS.

I am annoyed EDF didn't contact me as they had all of my new contact details and had used them to send the final bill to.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

jalexa

DMJ99 wrote: »

I am annoyed EDF didn't contact me as they had all of my new contact details and had used them to send the final bill to.

So you should be. Raise a complaint strictly in accordance with the Edf complaints procedure (in writing or by email) stating your concerns, in particular their failure to invoice you to a known address.

There are other arguments to keep in reserve but Edf should stay the debt collection process pending a final response.

Seperately I suggest "setting a trap" for EOS by requesting copies of the allegedly unpaid bills. Say nothing else to EOS.

Premier_2

DMJ99 wrote: »

Hi

Last year (19th March) I moved out of my previous rented property. I phoned EDF and provided final gas and electicity readings. I gave them my new address to send the final bill to and when it arrived I paid the £9.97 electric and £193.95 gas bill on the 8th April 2011. I still have these bills and the note on them of the date they were paid.

Yesterday, a year later, I get 2 separate letters through from EOS debt collection saying they have ran a credit check with Experian to obtain my address and that I owe £24.69 Electric and £78.44 Gas from the old property.

I know the readings I gave were accurate at the time of moving out. I also know the landlord didn't re-let the property for a couple of months after we'd gone but I don't know whether to go diretly back to EDF or to EOS.

I am annoyed EDF didn't contact me as they had all of my new contact details and had used them to send the final bill to.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Ask for full details of what debt allegedly exists and from whom.

Then, if you don't agree, tell the debt collection agency so, (back it up in writing to them). They will usually return the debt to the applicable company if you convince them an error may have occurred.

Also worth contacting the supplier directly if you once had an account with them to get to the bottom of the alleged debt. Follow the suppliers complaint procedure as suggested above.

DirectDebacle

Never ever contact a DCA by telephone always in writing.

As suggested write to the DCA (EOS) and request copies of bills/account statements. Once you receive them then you can decide whether or not the claim is correct. It is a claim not a debt.

State clearly in the letter that until such time as you receive the requested information you will not enter into any further communication with them.

I am guessing that EOS have block purchased outstanding accounts from EDF and your details were amongst them. If you had an outstanding account with EDF then they had your new address to send it to.

I doubt EOS will be able to provide you with any evidence of unpaid charges.

DMJ99

Thanks for all your replies.

I spoke with EDF and the man was actually helpful. He said the landlord phoned them in June last year to inform them a new tennant had moved in and so they charged us until that date.

He said it was done in error and he will get it cleared up. He is also going to send this to me in writing. He said that the credit search won't have had an impact on my file. Not sure if that's correct.

I also spoke with EOS ( sorry DirerctDebacle) I only just saw your advice. It was a pointless conversation - she said she couldn't give me any information as they had to wait for instruction from EDF but phone back in a week and they would be able to discuss it then.

Thanks again for the advice, hopefully it is all sorted now.