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Spark Energy, DCA and Daughter!
tiggerbodhi
Posts: 415 Forumite
in Energy
Hi,
Daughter rented a flat from July 11 to July 12, when she moved in signed up with Spark energy and paying £50 a month by direct debit (since moved banks so "can't remember" if they were taking the money!! DD has gone to bank to get copy statements)
During the years tenancy Spark energy did not read the meter and no meter readings were given to them.
DD says she called them when she moved out to say close the account, and she wrote down a meter reading (not able to find this now)
Roll forward to now, a DCA on behalf Spark energy contact her, not at her new address but via her mothers address (guess they were tracing her) saying she owes £892, made up of a years supply of electricty and other charges, :eek:
DD called the DCA who explained how it was made up, she then called Spark who admitted the account was closed on the 5th July 2012 and would issue final bill, when this arrived it showed estimated supply fro two 6 month periods and no payments to account.
Questions:
1. assuming DD has cocked up and no payments were made to spark for a whole year wouldn't they have tried to contact her in the meantime, or cut her off?
2. considering she has moved out now and may or may not owe them anything can she challenge the estimated bills? (she has had the suitable "dad" lecture on what to do in future) because if she had paid the £50 a month there would still be a balance owing after the £600 is taken off.
3. Who should she deal with? the DCA say she should deal with them but Spark are trying to sort it as well, me being an old cynic know trying to deal with both is a recipe for disaster.
4. I assume her credit file will be affected by this, if it proves to be a Spark energy issue, how does she fix this?
5. If ( and I suspect it is!) that she didn't check the direct debit was going out and Spark have had no payments, what are chances of them "negotiating" on the bill being estimated or installments.
Thanks!!
Daughter rented a flat from July 11 to July 12, when she moved in signed up with Spark energy and paying £50 a month by direct debit (since moved banks so "can't remember" if they were taking the money!! DD has gone to bank to get copy statements)
During the years tenancy Spark energy did not read the meter and no meter readings were given to them.
DD says she called them when she moved out to say close the account, and she wrote down a meter reading (not able to find this now)
Roll forward to now, a DCA on behalf Spark energy contact her, not at her new address but via her mothers address (guess they were tracing her) saying she owes £892, made up of a years supply of electricty and other charges, :eek:
DD called the DCA who explained how it was made up, she then called Spark who admitted the account was closed on the 5th July 2012 and would issue final bill, when this arrived it showed estimated supply fro two 6 month periods and no payments to account.
Questions:
1. assuming DD has cocked up and no payments were made to spark for a whole year wouldn't they have tried to contact her in the meantime, or cut her off?
2. considering she has moved out now and may or may not owe them anything can she challenge the estimated bills? (she has had the suitable "dad" lecture on what to do in future) because if she had paid the £50 a month there would still be a balance owing after the £600 is taken off.
3. Who should she deal with? the DCA say she should deal with them but Spark are trying to sort it as well, me being an old cynic know trying to deal with both is a recipe for disaster.
4. I assume her credit file will be affected by this, if it proves to be a Spark energy issue, how does she fix this?
5. If ( and I suspect it is!) that she didn't check the direct debit was going out and Spark have had no payments, what are chances of them "negotiating" on the bill being estimated or installments.
Thanks!!
every time I manage to get one more breath into this body, I will sing a song of thanks to you my brothers, my sisters, my friends, may your sleep be peaceful, and angels sing sweetly in your ears.
0
Comments
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1. If billed 6 monthly, legal action would take min 3 months after the 28 days following the bill.
2. Cant really challenge unless can obtain reads from the letting agents.
3. You could deal with spark, be quick as they may sell on.
4. If a bill was issued and remained unpaid they are allowed to report.
5. Installments yes by all meansDon'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.0
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