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British Gas LCS

Hi All!

Looking for a little advice. We bought our first flat back in June, moved in at the start of July. When we moved in, I applied to switch our energy supplier to EDF.

I admit, with the move and a baby, I did not read all the information I probably should have done in this time.

Today I received a letter from LCS saying that a £69 balance had been referred to them - the letter head says "Utility Investigations Civil Enforcements Debt Recoveries". The period was from when we took ownership of the flat until obviously the day EDF took over as suppliers - 19th June until 7th August.

I was confused/shocked when I received this letter... I called them and paid - they even knocked £9 off for paying then and there?! but then was unsure of the legitimacy and called BG to confirm it all.

As I explained it to the BG operative and asked him if he could explain, he spoke extrememly carefully. It actually wasn't very reassuring that something strange wasn't going on! I guess the first question is, what is going on here - is it a bit mirky??

It turns out they have sent me 2 bills, one in July and then a closing statement on the 17th August. But because we never had an account with them, they were just supplying the house, these were sent to "The Occupant". Neither my wife nor I have registered receiving the letters.

It seems a little heavy handed to me to refer to a collection agency basically 1 month after sending a bill. I told the BG operative I wanted to complain and he tried quite hard to put me off. Our conversation went on and on and then he put me on hold for a while... then came back and said that a complaint woudln't get anywhere because they followed their procedures.

This went on and I continued that I understand the procedures were followed but I thought it was heavy handed so perhaps the procedures needed revising. He finally said someone would call me back, and asked me not to call OfGen (?!)


Can anyone shed any light on this? It all seems really weird, and I am worried about my credit rating, which is perfect (up until now...)

Comments

  • MK55
    MK55 Posts: 286 Forumite
    you would recieve 2 bills before a DCA< the standard 14 days, then a final demand explaining u have 7 days to pay or goes to DCA. You are in a deemed contract when you move in and need to inform the supplier.
  • Terrylw1
    Terrylw1 Posts: 7,038 Forumite
    Did you give a switch reading to your new supplier? If so, did Bgas bill you to this?

    Did you take a read when you moved in? Have Bgas used this as your account opening reading?

    Just a few extra points to consider as with not reviving any bills, you don't know if they have even billed you correctly.
    :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:
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