British Gas are sorry they didn't take my last DD in April 13, but want paying now!

Chunckles

Hi everyone - Hoping for a bit of advice. I left British Gas in April 13 after discovering Npower could provide my Gas and Electricity for more than half the price!

I have just received a letter from the very lovely British Gas saying that after they sent my final bill on 22/4/13 they should have taken one more Direct Debit to clear the balance. But unfortunately a glitch in their system, means that I have not been sent any reminders to pay!

So now they want me to pay £199.79 to clear the balance!

Any top tips on whether I can tell them that due to a glitch in my system, this will not be happening? :eek:

Thank you....

Angie

keith1950

Hi, assuming that the amount is correct from the closing readings that were taken then your only hope is that as it is over 12 months you have a get out under the " back billing " clause.

Also nobody can provide you with gas and electricity 50% cheaper.......they may have quoted you a direct debit of 50% less but this is not the same thing.....your account will no doubt run seriously into the red . From my past experience with Npower I would definitely not trust anything they say !!

calleyw

might like to read this you are not the only one.

Yours

Calley

Armorica

Glitch or otherwise - you used the service. If you don't pay, you're simply increasing the prices of the customers that haven't left them.

As it was their fault, you should ensure that they are only suggesting the price as of April last year and that they've not added interest or administration fees.

molerat

keith1950 wrote: »

Hi, assuming that the amount is correct from the closing readings that were taken then your only hope is that as it is over 12 months you have a get out under the " back billing " clause.

The back billing rule will not apply here, OP was billed correctly but payment was not taken so they can chase the bill for up to 6 years.

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.


There are two threads on this subject and 3 other people with the same experience. See:


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5065471


As stated, do something about the letter and don't ignore it, or it will simply be passed to a Debt Collection Agency(DCA)

canary2211

Ok so I called BG (usual phone delays, disconnections etc). Requested copy of final bill so I can check and agree it. Was told this takes 2 to 3 weeks and in the meantime my account might be passed to a debt agency. I went up the wall. Operative suggested a payment plan: to which I replied- but I cannot be sure the bill is correct. I uttered the magic words "I contest this debt" and said I would write to BG. I made it clear i would not be happy if my 40 year blemish free credit history was damaged by this and as it is clearly BG's error they should be allowing adequate time to check and contest the debt before referring to debt collection.

The operative said there were lots of customers invovled. This stinks.

It is more than likley that I owe the amount - blowed if I am going to pay on the basis on a single letter of demand with no supprting detail.

Cardew

canary2211 wrote: »

Ok so I called BG (usual phone delays, disconnections etc). Requested copy of final bill so I can check and agree it. Was told this takes 2 to 3 weeks and in the meantime my account might be passed to a debt agency. I went up the wall. Operative suggested a payment plan: to which I replied- but I cannot be sure the bill is correct. I uttered the magic words "I contest this debt" and said I would write to BG. I made it clear i would not be happy if my 40 year blemish free credit history was damaged by this and as it is clearly BG's error they should be allowing adequate time to check and contest the debt before referring to debt collection.

The operative said there were lots of customers invovled. This stinks.

It is more than likley that I owe the amount - blowed if I am going to pay on the basis on a single letter of demand with no supprting detail.

Agree with your stance, except I would put it in writing(an email will suffice) as it is possible/probable that the call centre operator will have not logged everything you discussed.

StuC75

Did you not ever question why you never received a closing statement which then confirmed the balance as being zero? As that's something Ive always looked for in these matters..

canary2211

I wrote and complained - nice letter back from BG(standard letter I suspect) . 15% credit applied. I will double check the meter readings and pay.