E-On unfair default - How to overturn?

SamBE

Hi all,

First time poster - I thought I might be able to get some worthwhile advice from here, as you all seem to know your stuff.

I recently found out (via a check on Equifax) that I have a default on my account. This came as a bit of a surprise as I've never received any correspondence to that effect. I moved out of a property at the end of October 2012, which E-On supplied energy to. Upon leaving I called them to explain I was leaving and to see about transferring the account to my house mate (who was staying in the property for the foreseeable..). They informed me that this was not possible, so as a quick fix i changed all contact details (name, email..), in addition to the billing into to my housemate. Clearly he never paid, otherwise I wouldn't be in this situation.

I'm not entirely certain if this is even possible, though after a meeting with my bank today they advised that based on the circumstance, I should look at writing a letter to E-On (and the collection agency) as soon as possible to push on having this overturned - apparently the account is still not settled.

Any thoughts would be appreciated?

thanks in advance
Sam

footyguy

SamBE wrote: »

Hi all,

First time poster - I thought I might be able to get some worthwhile advice from here, as you all seem to know your stuff.

I recently found out (via a check on Equifax) that I have a default on my account. This came as a bit of a surprise as I've never received any correspondence to that effect. I moved out of a property at the end of October 2012, which E-On supplied energy to. Upon leaving I called them to explain I was leaving and to see about transferring the account to my house mate (who was staying in the property for the foreseeable..). They informed me that this was not possible, so as a quick fix i changed all contact details (name, email..), in addition to the billing into to my housemate. Clearly he never paid, otherwise I wouldn't be in this situation.

I'm not entirely certain if this is even possible, though after a meeting with my bank today they advised that based on the circumstance, I should look at writing a letter to E-On (and the collection agency) as soon as possible to push on having this overturned - apparently the account is still not settled.

Any thoughts would be appreciated?

thanks in advance
Sam

No, I don't think this is possible.

According to you, you contacted the supplier to ask to change the name on the account

You were told no (you give no explanation as to why not, buy hey ho)

So you changed the name on the account ... ??? :huh:


If you are still the account holder, your are liable for the charges. If you are not the account holder, you will be liable for any charges until you were no longer the account holder. Any charges incurred after a change of account holder, then that would not have caused any default against you, as you are no more liable for such charges as I or the bank manger would be.

I'm surprised the bank manager didn't explain that to you rather than fob you off with that other nonsense you allege he said. (Maybe you misunderstood)

I suggest you contact the supplier and see what debt you owe them and ask for details of it's makeup if you don't know it to be correct

SamBE

Hi Footyguy, thanks for the reply.

I think you misunderstand - i never changed the name on the account. I called them to explain i would no longer be living at the address and i needed to move payment responsibility to somebody else, as why would i be paying for energy and somebody else's property?

To this they told me that the name on the account could not be changed, but they could note that i don't live there any more and change billing info and contact information on the account to the person that does.

The bank manager was very clear, we went through it in detail.

I will certainly get in touch with them though, that's next on my list.

thanks again.

Andy_WSM

The problem here is that you never closed the account, so Eon couldn't give you a final bill using up to date readings - ie the account is still in your name. I don't think Eon have done wrong here, they told you that the account couldn't be transferred.

JJ_Egan

Yep reading also as an account that you never closed and are responsible for payments until you closed the account .That required you to give final meter readings .

SamBE

Sure, i understand that. Though surely if i explain that i'm moving out and am asking these questions anyway, i should be prompted to close the account and pay a final bill? In Hindsight, i would imagine it is not a normal thing for somebody to move out and continue with their name on the energy account. I'm certain E-On know this, and really no matter how ignorant on my part, is it not rather negligent on their part for not advising me correctly?

matelodave

Plenty of people move out and will still remain responsible for the bill.
It was up to you to make it clear that you were moving out and would no longer be responsible for the bill and that you wished to close the account and give them a final reading. If you did not do that then they aren't clairvoyant and couldn't guess what you were trying to do.
A long involved conversation about changing names and contact details isn't quite the same, they probably thought you were trying to avoid paying your bill by dumping it onto someone else.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

As previously, if your name is still on the energy account, you remain liable.

Not sure why they wouldn't let you close your account and re-open in your housemates name - at a guess I would imagine they would want to speak to him directly to confirm identity and maybe he wasn't there.

I know hindsight is a wonderful thing, but most people wouldn't have let it go until they'd got absolute assurance that their account was closed.

I'm sure the e.on rep will be along before too long to clarify.

GingerBob_3

E.On are one of three utility suppliers who currently report you to the CRAs. Avoid them in the future. Mistakes and misunderstandings happen; with E.on, NPower and BG this can have unwanted effects.

SamBE

Sure, but i'm not sure how much more clear i can be than explaining i'm moving out and no longer wish to be responsible for paying the bill. This was understood as i was told it was 'noted down'.

I might have asked if there was a way to transfer the account to my then house mate instead of asking to close it (to somebody who doesn't understand the mechanic, this does not seem like an unreasonable assumption/question), which probably sparked the conversation. Though i don't see why that should prevent them from advising me that in order to no longer be responsible (as i'd explained - and they had noted), i should be closing the account, and not just changing billing details. It's easy to say 'well, you should know that' - and perhaps i should - but if i don't, does the company in question not hold some kind of obligation to not give me incorrect advice, ultimately resulting in a default, which i find out about 2 years later?

SamBE

GingerBob wrote: »

E.On are one of three utility suppliers who currently report you to the CRAs. Avoid them in the future. Mistakes and misunderstandings happen; with E.on, NPower and BG this can have unwanted effects.

Helpful to know, thank you.


And thank you to everybody who's given feedback so far