Wescot letter claiming I owe british gas

Daisybaby1

Hi all, longtime lurker here, first time poster just registered today so I could ask a question, there always seems to be good advice on here!

I've just received a letter from Wescot debt collectors. It claims I owe british gas £20 (yes it's only £20, but I don't think I do owe it!) from an address I moved out of 5 years ago.

I know that I was using british gas at that address to supply my gas and electricity, and when I moved from that address I still stayed with british gas, in fact it was only 2 months ago I switched supplier to get a better deal, and british gas sent me a cheque because my account was in credit! British gas have never contacted me themselves about this £20 from the old address.

Should I just pay it because it's only a small amount? What would you suggest? Thank you

EycplUK

If you do not owe it then do not pay it ! simples

Daisybaby1

Thanks for replying. Would you just ignore the letter?

ALIBOBSY

I wouldn't pay it and probably ignore at first, if you feel you have to respond don't phone as these people lie and cheat as standard on the phone.
Do it via email or letter and simply state you don't believ you owe anything and ask for them to send proof of the alledged debt and how it was calculated.

TBH if it's 5 years since you lived there it may be close to being statute barred even if something was left over from the old bill.

Ali x

tinkerbell28

No I wouldn't just ignore it at all.

Get it sorted properly, British Gas report to CRA's. So have you checked your files for defaults? CCJ?

If you don't owe it get it sorted properly, don't hope it will go away.

Daisybaby1

My husband got home from work and rang them. I did try to tell him it would be best to write but he rang them anyway! He basically said to them that until they provide us with proof, they aren't getting any money because we believe nothing is owed. They said that they would leave our "account" on hold until they can get the proof to us.

tinkerbell28

I would really get copies of your credit files tbh....if they've got a CCJ it's going to be trickier.

matttye

Daisybaby1 wrote: »

My husband got home from work and rang them. I did try to tell him it would be best to write but he rang them anyway! He basically said to them that until they provide us with proof, they aren't getting any money because we believe nothing is owed. They said that they would leave our "account" on hold until they can get the proof to us.

Make a note of the date and time of the call and, if possible, the name of who he spoke to.

Will make it easier to find later.

magpiecottage

I doubt they have a CCJ - if they did that alone would cost at least £25 and be added to the bill.

tinkerbell28

magpiecottage wrote: »

I doubt they have a CCJ - if they did that alone would cost at least £25 and be added to the bill.

Indeed but as BRG are one of the utilities who DO report to the credit files. Then a default is highly likely. Then as it's 5 years, the alleged debt is being chased before SB. This is the most likely time they'll whack on some costs and go for a CCJ, even for £20. As by the time they add fees on it will be a couple of hundred.

DEBTMONKEY1A

OP-get one of the free online credit trials. Or do a free trial with checkmyfile.com (does all 3 in one-equifax, experian, cal credit-although also take a separate experian trial as a/c info is not reported on checkmyfile-just public info like ccjs etc). I think even if at default in my years of experience of dealing with this type of situation it's HIGHLY unlikely they will go for a CCJ for this ammount (think man hours/time-not costs added). let us know how you get on.