Debt Collector Letter on Foreign Debt

Maidenhead_Moneysaver

Hi all,

Looking for a little advice.

I lived in Sweden for two years between 2009 and 2011. When I left, I believed I settled all outstanding bills, etc.

In October 2013 I received a letter from a Swedish debt collection agency stating that I had an outstanding energy bill from 2011 and now owed several hundred pounds including debt recovery charges. I replied to the letter stating I never received the original invoices and nonetheless had settled all outstanding bills when I left.

Today, I have received a letter from a UK debt collection agency requesting the same money.

I have a couple of questions. Do they have any grounds to obtain these debts given they are 1. from Sweden and 2. I have never seen the original invoices?

Also, can this kind of situation affect my credit rating which I believe is absolutely fine at the moment?

Thanks in advance for your help.

DCFC79

Do you have any proof eg a letter stating the bill had been settled ?

PaulW922

The answer to your first question is 'yes'. A Swedish creditor can apply to have a debt collected here in the UK.

I'd suggest you seek the original bills and then, if you are satisfied that you do actually owe for the energy you used, offer to pay for that, but not the debt collection fees, on the basis that you were not at fault in the collection process.