Suing Thames water for obtaining personal information via illegal means

dindin

Hello,
I am thinking of taking legal action against thames water for obtaining my personal information via illegal means. They say that I owe them for unpaid water usage. On the dates specified, there was someone living there and I have called them 3-4 times and told them but they do not want to know. I also told them I would be charging them for this calls and for my time but everytime I call them they have no record of the conversation, but thats their problem. They also owe me for overpayment from previous year, as they had charged me full rate when there was only 1 resident, so I called them and surprise surprise, they were not interested, so I said I would be deducting my future bills from that amount and adding interest at 8% or they can refund straight away. I had also told them to put a meter outside as I intend to pay for the water I use, not what they think I need to pay for, for not using. But they have no record of this conversation. I said a Meter outside as there was so many robberies relating to Thames water 'agents' entering and robbing the occupants.

They have got a debt collection agency to send letters of intent and obviously I have called them but they just do not have a record of the previous conversation, which I know they are very good at not inputting into the system but I am not bothered about that either. I have also told them if they think I owe them money can can gladly take me to court but it seems that the do not want to. I also mentioned that if they put adverse credit on me, then I would take them to court.
I moved recently and I have not updated my electoral register and have not given my forwarding address to any utilities companies either. Just the bank details were updated. Last week I got a letter from the same debt collection agency and I was surprised how they got hold of the details. Then I remembered watching BBC Panorama or Dispatches Program, were its possible to get hold of anyone's information via illegal means, these private investigators tactics of getting hold of ones information.
Thames water have a habit of harassing people, as I have had the privilege before, as well, hence I never give my phone number to them, as they or their agents keep on calling even at odd times.

I am also thinking of informing the Information Commissioners Office, as well.
Briefly looking at the Data Protection Act, I have 2 options - magistrates court max fine of £5000 or High Court of Unlimited. I am not looking to benefit by being greedy but so many would agree that Thames water, takes liberties. So do anyone know of Data Protection or Personal Information Solicitor. Any solicitor would quickly say yes but that is not what I am looking for.
Thank you and look forward to your suggestions
Din

Lovelyjoolz

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

dt3887

if you have updated with the bank then there is your answer. it will have gone straight onto your credit file. so no illegal actions there. sounds to me like your saying do what i etll you or i will take you to court without having any evidence.
have you thought about recording the calls you have made, or even better, PUT IT IN WRITING TO THEM.?

going by how you have came across with this thread, with the attitude, i wouldnt be interested in listening if i was them

Faith177

agree with dt3887 don't think they have done anything underhand here it's just a case of you updated the bank so they got it that way.

Do you have any evidence of when you moved into the property such as a council tax bill or a tenancy agreement. Prehaps send them a copy of that with a calm letter detailing the dates you moved in ect and ask them to look at your account again

Gothicfairy

There is just so much wrong with the OP, please go ahead and sue them, make sure you update the thread as I would love to hear what a judge has to say about your views.

peachyprice

They have got a debt collection agency to send letters of intent .............. I moved recently and I have not updated my electoral register and have not given my forwarding address to any utilities companies either. Just the bank details were updated. Last week I got a letter from the same debt collection agency and I was surprised how they got hold of the details.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Twonk, the debt collectors got your address from your credit file, which your bank updated with your new address, duh.

McKneff

What makes you think you get a discount if there is only one of you in the house.

That happens with Council Tax ie 25% discount, but not with water companies.

Cardew

McKneff wrote: »

What makes you think you get a discount if there is only one of you in the house.

That happens with Council Tax ie 25% discount, but not with water companies.

I suspect the OP is confused(amongst many other points) about a single person 'assessed charge' not realising it doesn't apply when you have a meter

deano4930

My god... This is brilliant..

PLEASE let me know how you get on in court..

Take_it_like_a_man,_sonny

dindin wrote: »

Hello,
I am thinking of taking legal action against thames water for obtaining my personal information via illegal means. They say that I owe them for unpaid water usage. On the dates specified, there was someone living there and I have called them 3-4 times and told them but they do not want to know. I also told them I would be charging them for this calls and for my time but everytime I call them they have no record of the conversation, but thats their problem. They also owe me for overpayment from previous year, as they had charged me full rate when there was only 1 resident, so I called them and surprise surprise, they were not interested, so I said I would be deducting my future bills from that amount and adding interest at 8% or they can refund straight away. I had also told them to put a meter outside as I intend to pay for the water I use, not what they think I need to pay for, for not using. But they have no record of this conversation. I said a Meter outside as there was so many robberies relating to Thames water 'agents' entering and robbing the occupants.

They have got a debt collection agency to send letters of intent and obviously I have called them but they just do not have a record of the previous conversation, which I know they are very good at not inputting into the system but I am not bothered about that either. I have also told them if they think I owe them money can can gladly take me to court but it seems that the do not want to. I also mentioned that if they put adverse credit on me, then I would take them to court.
I moved recently and I have not updated my electoral register and have not given my forwarding address to any utilities companies either. Just the bank details were updated. Last week I got a letter from the same debt collection agency and I was surprised how they got hold of the details. Then I remembered watching BBC Panorama or Dispatches Program, were its possible to get hold of anyone's information via illegal means, these private investigators tactics of getting hold of ones information.
Thames water have a habit of harassing people, as I have had the privilege before, as well, hence I never give my phone number to them, as they or their agents keep on calling even at odd times.

I am also thinking of informing the Information Commissioners Office, as well.
Briefly looking at the Data Protection Act, I have 2 options - magistrates court max fine of £5000 or High Court of Unlimited. I am not looking to benefit by being greedy but so many would agree that Thames water, takes liberties. So do anyone know of Data Protection or Personal Information Solicitor. Any solicitor would quickly say yes but that is not what I am looking for.
Thank you and look forward to your suggestions
Din

Just too good to miss

dindin

McKneff wrote: »

What makes you think you get a discount if there is only one of you in the house.

That happens with Council Tax ie 25% discount, but not with water companies.

There is something called single person rates. search the web and you will find. Please do research before entering. That was also the reason I asked for a water meter but they do not want to know.