Elec bill from First:Utility I never used??

longwalks1

I went to my parents and had 2 letters there from First:Utility for overdue £114.60 for electricity. I've never used them, or ever had post go to my parents as I moved out 10 years ago. It was actually addressed to number 5, not number 1 in my parents street (Parents live at number 1).

I tried their contact number this morning at 6am from work (was worried its a spoof company with a premium rate number), has anyone else had this?

I'm certainly not going to pay it, but concerned someone may be using my details, or is First:Utility trying their luck?

any help or advice greatly appreciated, before I call them and give them what for

lvf

Did you move into a property and set up with a new supplier? Remember, when changing supplier, the transfer process takes 4-6 weeks and you will continue to be supplied by the original company who had the property until the transfer is complete.

On your bill, does it note the dates when the bill was for? Does it state which property it was for? (which may be different from the correspondence address, which you have already stated was incorrect). Does the dates link to when you moved into a property? A bit more insight would be needed, but we can get to the bottom of it

longwalks1

Hi Ivf

It says very little, no dates for when the bill covers, no info for the property it is for either. Doesnt make sense, I've live in my present home for 10 years and had the same supplier since day 1, and never used my parents address (or the one 3 doors up) for any correspondance, nothing ties up at all. I've emailed them via their 'contact us' form on their website, asking why, when and how did i use the electricity, and am still waiting a response

longwalks1

Quick update everyone, still no reply to my email, but have received a threatening letter saying to pay within 7 days or they'll send the bailiffs and have broken down the charges I will face! I've emailed them last week and no reply, anyone got any advice please? Am starting to panic a bit, even though I know for a FACT I've never used them???

maas

Have you called them for an explanation?

longwalks1

maas wrote: »

Have you called them for an explanation?

In the last week I've made 7 phone calls, and each time waited to get through for between 10-20 minutes before giving up, my time is precious to me, especially when its being wasted by someone elses mistake


Can they really send out bailiffs, to an address Ive never lived at, or used for mail, for power Ive never used from them??

notisis

Trying complaining here - ring them first for advice:
Ombudsman Services: Energy

PO Box 966
Warrington
WA4 9DF
Tel: 0330 440 1624
Textphone: 0330 440 1600
Fax: 0330 440 1625
Email: [EMAIL="enquiries@os-energy.org"]enquiries@os-energy.org[/EMAIL]
Website: www.ombudsman-services.org/energy

longwalks1

Thanks notisis, will give them a call in the morning. I forgot to say, the girl yesterday said it was to do with a price comparison website application on 3rd July this year, which after I'd finished the call, I remembered I was in Greece from 27th June to 10th July!

Better_Days

I wonder if someone in the area used the price comparison website to get a quote, but didn't want to commit so didn't use their own details.

Who lives at number 5 and why wasn't the letter delivered there? Just to clarify the letter you have had has your name and the address of number 5?

Surely the baliffs will go to number 5 - have the occupants been warned about the problem?

What a muddle

longwalks1

Better_Days wrote: »

I wonder if someone in the area used the price comparison website to get a quote, but didn't want to commit so didn't use their own details.

Who lives at number 5 and why wasn't the letter delivered there? Just to clarify the letter you have had has your name and the address of number 5?

Surely the baliffs will go to number 5 - have the occupants been warned about the problem?

What a muddle

I was thinking the same, the 3 letters I've now had were to my name (unusual spelling of first and last names, so its definately me), and to the old street i lived on as a child, to door number 5. I lived at and grw up at number 1. Never lived at No. 5. Those at number 5 know my parents, so they popped it through my parents door. I spoke to the ombudsman and they basicalyl said dont worry about it, and if anymore is posted through my parents door, return it to First:Utility unopened saying 'not at this address' The lady said its a fault their end, but I'm still not at ease for obvious reasons. Last thing I want is bailiffs being directed from number 5 down to my elderly parents place