Co-operative Energy sending debt collector for debt I didn't know about.

Lady_of_the_Frames

About 17 months ago, I switched from Co-operative energy to E-On. I was paying by direct debit and as far as I knew all was finalised. Co-op stopped billing and E-On started. I moved house a few months later. A couple of weeks ago, I received a phone call at work from a debt collector who said they were calling on behalf of Co-operative Energy and that I owed £187 from when I switched. I thought it was a scam. I told them that I don't owe anyone any money. They said that if they send me a bill with my name on it I was legally bound to pay it, which made it sound even more like a scam. The account was on Direct Debit and I never cancel them until I have had confirmation that all transactions are finished and the account is at zero. I don't still have the paperwork. I destroyed it a few months ago because I assumed that it was all done with, I was at a new address, etc. I will not pay this money because I have no proof and have had no contact with Co-operative energy. I don't know what to do. The debt collectors have called me at work again this week. Can an energy company send someone after you well over a year later, when they haven't contacted you themselves? I knew nothing about this and I was still at the address for about 3 months after the switch. Help/advice needed please.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Yes they can chase you if the debt is owed.

You need to speak to Co-op.

GingerBob_3

Out of interest, how did the parasites get hold of your works phone number?

If you are not at fault (and probably even if you are) you need to check information held against you by the CRAs. The Co-op may have posted default/late payment notices against you, thereby scuppering your chances of credit for a few years.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

GingerBob wrote: »

Out of interest, how did the parasites get hold of your works phone number?

If you are not at fault (and probably even if you are) you need to check information held against you by the CRAs. The Co-op may have posted default/late payment notices against you, thereby scuppering your chances of credit for a few years.

Parasites? If you ran a business and had debtors, would you not chase them?

GingerBob_3

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

Parasites? If you ran a business and had debtors, would you not chase them?

Yes, but not by employing parasites.

[Deleted User]

Lady_of_the_Frames wrote: »

About 17 months ago, I switched from Co-operative energy to E-On. I was paying by direct debit and as far as I knew all was finalised. Co-op stopped billing and E-On started. I moved house a few months later. A couple of weeks ago, I received a phone call at work from a debt collector who said they were calling on behalf of Co-operative Energy and that I owed £187 from when I switched. I thought it was a scam. I told them that I don't owe anyone any money. They said that if they send me a bill with my name on it I was legally bound to pay it, which made it sound even more like a scam. The account was on Direct Debit and I never cancel them until I have had confirmation that all transactions are finished and the account is at zero. I don't still have the paperwork. I destroyed it a few months ago because I assumed that it was all done with, I was at a new address, etc. I will not pay this money because I have no proof and have had no contact with Co-operative energy. I don't know what to do. The debt collectors have called me at work again this week. Can an energy company send someone after you well over a year later, when they haven't contacted you themselves? I knew nothing about this and I was still at the address for about 3 months after the switch. Help/advice needed please.

I hope when you are with EON you don t trust a direct debit as being full payment of your energy bill. Its just an educated guess, no more. The meters say what you owe , not a direct debit. anyone can start a new supplier and submit some sort of guess themselves as to their yearly consumption. A years energy can vary greatly. We ve just had the mildest winter on record whilst the previous, in my area , was the coldest .

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

GingerBob wrote: »

Yes, but not by employing parasites.

Debt collectors are parasites? Or Co-op employees?

If the information was in the public domain, why not use it?

And, (not that any of this related to the OP as you brought it up from nowhere) why not report to CRA's? If people have credit, and a debt is unpaid, what do you think should happen? Just write it off and move on? Why should I be penalised for having a little fiscal responsibility?

Lady_of_the_Frames

I decided to take this up with Co-Op directly. I called their customer complaints number. They tried to put me through to Credit Control and even went over there to get someone to talk to me. No one was available. I will try again. What really upsets me is, I have NO DEBTS. I hate debt. I pay by direct debit or in advance for everything. The FIRST I heard of this was a call from a debt collector. If this has effected my credit rating, what do I do? If they can prove to me that I owe the money, I will pay it!

Lady_of_the_Frames

sacsquacco wrote: »

I hope when you are with EON you don t trust a direct debit as being full payment of your energy bill. Its just an educated guess, no more. The meters say what you owe , not a direct debit. anyone can start a new supplier and submit some sort of guess themselves as to their yearly consumption. A years energy can vary greatly. We ve just had the mildest winter on record whilst the previous, in my area , was the coldest .

Like I said. I don't cancel the direct debit until the account is zero. So, I can't understand where this amount has come from. It is not just a few quid!

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Lady_of_the_Frames wrote: »

I decided to take this up with Co-Op directly. I called their customer complaints number. They tried to put me through to Credit Control and even went over there to get someone to talk to me. No one was available. I will try again. What really upsets me is, I have NO DEBTS. I hate debt. I pay by direct debit or in advance for everything. The FIRST I heard of this was a call from a debt collector. If this has effected my credit rating, what do I do? If they can prove to me that I owe the money, I will pay it!

It's extremely unlikely your credit rating has been hampered. If it has, it's straighforward enough to get it adjusted.

It is, however, important to ascertain how this balance has arisen. Write a letter to co-op headed complaint, and outline that you won't pay the debt until they can verify how it is they think you owe it.

Lady_of_the_Frames

Thank you all for your input. I will plough on and get it sorted, but aren't we all too busy for this kind of hassle?:(