water bill in wrong name

inacrisis

I hope I have put this in the right place.

I was wondering if someone could help me. I haven't lived at parents for about 8 years and only of home every couple of months, I went home last weekend and had a bill from united utilities for £1007 I asked my parents who said they have never paid a water bill There was also a letter from the courts in my name about this bill. It was sent about 3 weeks ago and said I must reply within 14 days. There is no number on there to ring about the matter.

Anyway yesterday I rang UT to find out what was going on, They said the name on the bill only had a first initial, middle initial and surname. these match mine but the DOB matches my dads. I don't understand how a company can hold an account for someone with only initials. Anyway on the phone they said they can't discuss the account because when asked for my DOB it obviously doesn't match the one on the account. SO they said I need to write to them explaining the situation and get my dad to sign the letter as well acknowledging that the bill should be in his name. So today I'm off work and going to have to drive to my parents to do this. I am just about getting a CCJ from the court as to them it appears I have ignored their letter. But UT wouldn't even contact the court to explain the situation until they receive this letter from me.

Could anyone offer any advice?

Many thanks

Cardew

How long have your parents lived at their present house? and has the property a water meter? probably not??


Surely the first thing to do is establish if the bill is correct and get it paid. That will stop the court action.

inacrisis

They have lived there since before I was born. I don't think they are in a position to pay it all off. So they are going to sort out a payment schedule, but United utilities won't talk with anyone until they receive this letter. Hopefully should receive it today or tomorrow

macman

So your parents have lived there for decades and never registered for a water account with UU?

GingerBob_3

My water company only know me as Mr. Surname and they certainly don't have my DoB, nor any other information about me.

How did UU obtain your Dad's DoB if he's apparently never had any dealings with them?

DO NOT SUPPLY WATER COMPANIES WITH PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION.

Really all they need is your surname, but they'll ask for lots more, "for security" - the liars! It's so they can report you to the CRAs, as UU have recently started doing for all their customers.

I know this might be a hassle, but I'd let them take you to court, then roll up with the evidence that you don't live there and point out they wouldn't deal with you when you tried to put it right.

I guess the bill will ultimately have to be paid, but don't make it easy for them.

Cardew

GingerBob wrote: »

My water company only know me as Mr. Surname and they certainly don't have my DoB, nor any other information about me.

How did UU obtain your Dad's DoB if he's apparently never had any dealings with them?

DO NOT SUPPLY WATER COMPANIES WITH PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION.

Really all they need is your surname, but they'll ask for lots more, "for security" - the liars! It's so they can report you to the CRAs, as UU have recently started doing for all their customers.

I know this might be a hassle, but I'd let them take you to court, then roll up with the evidence that you don't live there and point out they wouldn't deal with you when you tried to put it right.

I guess the bill will ultimately have to be paid, but don't make it easy for them.

Agree with your point about DOB.


However I suspect most of us would be very happy to only have a water bill of £1007 for a period of several decades.


To pursue a point of principle might just cost the parents a lot more.

inacrisis

Thanks for the replys, my parents obviously registered with UU when they moved in, what is really strange is that this was before I was even born, so how my initials are on the account I don't know.

I have now received a letter from court saying I have to pay 156 per month, is this classed as a ccj? Will it go on my record with them only having initials and the dob being different?

Tried UU. Yesterday and they said they haven't received the letter yet!!

Thanks

Norman_Castle

Find a number for the court and call them. Explain the reason for not attending the hearing and that the bill is addressed to the wrong person as accepted by their refusal to discus it with you. The court should be able to advise about the misdirected ccj.

https://www.gov.uk/county-court-judgments-ccj-for-debt/if-you-dont-owe-the-money

amersall

When the father received the bill he should have acted on that, surely he knew it was not his childs bill and so should the op, I don't understand this, the Father could have sorted this when he received the letter.

There was also a letter from the courts in my name about this bill

But it was not a full name just Fathers initials and address.

the name on the bill only had a first initial, middle initial and surname. these match mine but the DOB matches my dads.

so how my initials are on the account I don't know.

Because it is your Dads initials and not yours and it is his bill.

It is your Dads fault re the CCJ he should have sorted this, it has nothing to do with you, hope you get this sorted and the CCJ gets taken off for you.

inacrisis

HI thanks for the replies. my dads initials are D A and mine are D J

I spoke to UU who have now received my letter and they are now saying I need to send copies of both our birth certificates.....does that seem normal?

I also rang the court who said the CCJ won't be in my name as they have my dads DOB but I have just checked on noodle and the CCJ is registered against me!! So i rang the courts back and thy say that I need to email them requesting to be disassociated from the account. Will this then remove the CCJ from my credit report??

Regards