British Gas Debt - Disputed

sharp82

Hi all,

A little advice if you may.

My wife today has received a letter from Past Due Credit Solutions for a £522.96 debt from a property she lived in 4 years ago.

From memory, she was with British Gas for approximately 4 months, before switching to Scottish Power - who said they would contact British gas to terminate the account.

Our thoughts are that the above didn't happen, although she didn't ever receive a bill or reminder from British Gas the remaining 18 months or so she was there.

My thoughts for a plan of action are -

1. Write to Past Due Credit Solutions asking them to confirm what the outstanding amount is made up of. Bill dates etc

2. Write to Scottish Power asking them to confirm when she became a customer of theirs, and that all payments were made and the account was closed satisfactorily (she received a refund when closing the account due to an overpayment)

If the billing period is after she moved out, we can get proof from the landlord that she had moved out, or from the council.

Does the above sound workable? Is there anything else we need to do?

Thanks in advance

(if it does transpire that shes owes the amount claimed, we are happy to pay. Would rather not pay for a debt that isn't ours though!)

happy_bunny_2

I would send the prove it letter and see what they come back with:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247

Is there anything on your wife's credit report for this? British Gas report accounts to CRAs, so they might have defaulted it. Worth checking.

sharp82

Many thanks

I'll get that sent off recorded today

poppasmurf_bewdley

I think there is something in the rules and regs of Ofgem or whoever that if a bill isn't submitted within 12/24 months, then it cannot be enforced. You need to check the Ofgem website to see if this is still the case. It certainly was around 2007.

Edit: Just found this:

As of July 2006, the main domestic suppliers (those who belong to theEnergy Retail Association) agreed a new Code of Practice which stipulated that, where suppliers were at fault for not billing a consumer, they will not backdate (or back bill) more than two years. This dropped to a one year timeframe with effect from July 2007.

sharp82

Thats interesting to know. I'll bear that in mind depending on the result from the prove it letter

sharp82

Hi all,

Sent the prove it letter, and they closed the case and send back to British gas.

British Gas have now assigned a different debt collector. Going to send the prove it letter tonight. They have also been calling my wifes work and leaving messages will colleagues - which I understand is a big no no. I'm sure I have seen a letter template regarding communication, but cant seem to find it now. Would someone be kind enough to direct me?

Many thanks

dancingfairy

It's to do with the OFT guidelines for debt collection. A quick thread search should pull something up you can quote.
df
EdIt: there's a useful thread here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3558031