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Pursuance of Disputed Bills

I'm pretty sure I read once that pursuing debts that are in dispute is illegal... Am I right?

Comments

  • chanz4
    chanz4 Posts: 11,057 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Xmas Saver!
    Whats the dispute?
    Don't put your trust into an Experian score - it is not a number any bank will ever use & it is generally a waste of money to purchase it. They are also selling you insurance you dont need.
  • jalexa
    jalexa Posts: 3,448 Forumite
    edited 20 April 2012 at 11:35AM
    I'm pretty sure I read once that pursuing debts that are in dispute is illegal... Am I right?

    Not sure. However you must pay the non-disputed element of the bill.
  • Terrylw1
    Terrylw1 Posts: 7,038 Forumite
    I wouldn't say illegal, just not best practice or compliant to a licence since its disputed debt. However if you are disputing with the debt company rather than the supplier, that's part of the debt chasing process and not a real dispute.

    Worth noting that suppliers forget to recall or suspend debt chasing activities causing customers to raise the issue again.

    What's the issue?
    :rotfl: It's better to live 1 year as a tiger than a lifetime as a worm...but then, whoever heard of a wormskin rug!!!:rotfl:
  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 20 April 2012 at 11:19AM
    I'm pretty sure I read once that pursuing debts that are in dispute is illegal... Am I right?

    I'm not a lawyer, so if you want legal advice I would suggest you seek independent legal advice.

    However, most, if not all, utility suppliers will agree to hold off pursuing debts if the amount in question is agreed by them as being in dispute.

    Which supplier is it and has the supplier agreed to put the amount involved into dispute? What is the nature of the dispute?

    Edit: Not related to this is it?
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3913727
    "Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 2010
  • undaunted
    undaunted Posts: 1,870 Forumite
    It is not illegal to pursue a debt - though if it is in dispute they will need to take it to court for a ruling as to whether you legitimately owe it.

    The electricity act states that an energy supplier may not disconnect your supply or fit a pre payment meter if the balance is in "genuine dispute". The definition of what constitues genuine dispute appears somewhat loose however.
  • It is related to the above link, yes. I'm planning on writing a 'proper' complaint this weekend, so just wanted to make sure I'm getting everything in there. They had sent me a pre-court letter, whilst a number of my emails were awaiting response. I'll just comment on their general bad attitude then.

    Thanks!
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 21 April 2012 at 3:41PM
    Are you up to date with payments apart from this disputed amount.

    Just out of curiosity, how much money is in dispute.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
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