LCS debt collectors for final Scottish Power prepayment meter bill

eternal109

Hi I am hoping someone can shed some light on this situation.

9 months ago I left my flat where I paid for my electricty via a prepayment meter with Scottish Power. I was there for two years and had no problems at all. Scottish Power still sent me bills but when I called them it was explained that this is nothign to worry about and as I was on a prepayment meter I just had to continue to top up my key and pay as normal. So I did.

When I moved out we called Scottish Power to tell them and everything seemed OK.

Then recently I recoeved a letter from LCS debt collectors claiming that I owed Scottish Power £341.24 (inclduing a £95.74 admin fee) for my outstanding balance. Along with this letter was a list of possible reasons I owe them despite a prepayment meter.

I am very confused. How could I owe any money when I was on a prepayment meter in the first place? Why did Scottish Power not inform me of an outstanding balance when I left the flat? Why has this been passed to a debt collector without Scottish Power contacting me first? Why have I generic list of 'it could be one of these reasons that you owe money' and not been given a bill for exactly how and why I owe money?

I am planning to call Scottish Power on Monday to find out what is going on but if someone could shed some light on this and what I should do about it I would appreciate it. I have been advised not to talk to LCS but to talk to Scottish Power, is this correct?

olly300

When you took over the flat was the key and meter put in your name only?

I've lived in rental accommodation where all the customer service rep did was add one of the occupants names on to the account rather than start a new prepaid meter account up.

In regards to owing them money - some prepaid customers are put on the meters as they have outstanding debt and this is a way for the utility company to force them to pay the debt off.

Also now you have debt collectors chasing you make sure you make a formal complaint in writing after you come of the phone so take notes of everything said.

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

Did you 'inherit' the pre-pay meter? or was it put in after you occupied the flat?

Scottish Power still sent me bills but when I called them it was explained that this is nothign to worry about and as I was on a prepayment meter I just had to continue to top up my key and pay as normal.

That sounds like there was a debt on the account which was being 'clawed back'. A common situation with Pre Pay Accounts; as they are often installed because there was a large debt on the account with a normal(credit) meter fitted.

dogshome

Suppliers can get confused as to what type of meter the customer has.

Normally a Pre-pay meter customer will get just one piece of paper a year, which is an annual statement - The fact that you were getting actual bills shows some confusion, and a phone call(s) to the suppliers Customer Service Desk cannot be relied on to fix the problem.

WRITE to Scot. Power heading the letter Complaint and send a copy to LCS -With this done all demands for payment should cease until the problem is resolved

eternal109

Thanks guys.

The prepayment meter was installed when we arrived and every flat in the building had one. The key and meter was put into my name when we moved in but I don't know if it was anew account or they just added me on - I just assumed it would be a new account.

We did not get a monthly bill or anything but we got a lot more than just one piece of paper work a year. Like I said they said it was fine and mentioned nothign when I moved out.

I shall send a letter to both parties later as clearly their customer service has no clue.