Past Due Credit Solutions - I don't owe anything?

keishachu

Hi there! This is my first post so please go easy on me

Basically, I have recently received three letters in the post from Past Due Credit Solutions informing me that I have an outstanding debt with SSE. I have no idea how they got my address, however, I do know that I have had an account with SSE and paid the bill in it's entirety. I am surprised because this 'debt' is from at least two years ago, when I was living in student accommodation/flats. I was made aware on moving out that everything had been settled so I am unsure as to why they are sending me letters now. My question is 'what do I do?'. I feel that if I call them then I will acknowledge the bill and they will expect me to pay it, which I absolutely cannot afford to do right now, not even if I paid £5 a week (not at least until pay day).

Does anybody have any advice, or history with this company?

Thanks in advance!

spiro

Hopefully you kept copies of the final bill that was paid. Have they told you exactly what the bill is for? It is possible someone moved in after you left and then disputed the opening meter reading and as a result you have received a revised final bill.

footyguy

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vuvuzela

footyguy wrote: »

Post removed ...

Last edited by footyguy; Today at 1:43 PM.. Reason: Brand new user post & ran. If they still need help, perhaps they will come back when they have more time.

That's a bit insensitive and a way OTT attitude. Why not leave up the post you made ? The OP may well be back, some people post things then check for replies the following day, they could have had many many other things to do.
Even if the OP doesn't come back (and I'm not sure why you'd post something then remove it anyway), what you posted could possibly have helped others, were it of any value.

naedanger

keishachu wrote: »

Hi there! This is my first post so please go easy on me

Basically, I have recently received three letters in the post from Past Due Credit Solutions informing me that I have an outstanding debt with SSE. I have no idea how they got my address, however, I do know that I have had an account with SSE and paid the bill in it's entirety. I am surprised because this 'debt' is from at least two years ago, when I was living in student accommodation/flats. I was made aware on moving out that everything had been settled so I am unsure as to why they are sending me letters now. My question is 'what do I do?'. I feel that if I call them then I will acknowledge the bill and they will expect me to pay it, which I absolutely cannot afford to do right now, not even if I paid £5 a week (not at least until pay day).

Does anybody have any advice, or history with this company?

Thanks in advance!

I would not call them or speak to them on the phone.

I would write to them stating that you dispute that you owe SSE any money, and demand that they either supply documentary evidence of the supposed debt or stop all correspondence on this matter.

Then wait to see what evidence they provide.

In the meantime if you think you may have any information that will help you refute the supposed debt you should try to find it.

keishachu

Sorry I didn't reply earlier everybody. I don't know where I would find a copy of the final bill as this was student accomodation. Perhaps it might be on a bank statement but even then I don't know how I can prove that I paid the amount from the bill. Would it be wise to just ignore them?

modsandmockers

As somebody else has already said, it's not for you to prove that you don't owe the money - it's for them to prove that you do. Write and say that you have no knowledge of the debt, and ask for a full explanation. Don't even acknowledge that you were ever an SSE customer, and give no information about your previous addresses - let them work for their money!

Richie-from-the-Boro

Jointly and severally. You and 3 others may for example have paid the 4th one your share of the final bill. That 4th one may have told you s/he had paid the bill but did not. Now 2 years later you are jointly and severally responsible equally for the liability if you alone were the one that was found you are liable. Sorry my friend, that's just the way the law works, but its up to them to prove you owe it.

Cardew

We get loads of similar posts, particularly from people occupying student accommodation.

As said above, they have to prove you owe the money by producing a bill for the alleged debt. Also be aware that they can hold you solely responsible.

What often happens is that such a debt is for energy consumed after you left the property. Unless you wrote and told them you were leaving on a certain date, it is possible that the account stayed in your name.


Sight of a bill with the dates will clear up the above scenario.

Would it be wise to just ignore them?

No. Otherwise there will be a adverse entry on your credit record; in fact there might already be one!

keishachu

I will send them a letter and see what they say. As for sharing the costs and whatnot, I was living on my own in a studio flat so any bills would be for myself and not shared, unless of course there are any that have been from other tennants from before or after I lived there. I know that whilst I was living there I got a phonecall from SSE asking to speak to someone who wasn't myself, and asked if I had a forward address for them as they owed money, so perhaps this could be it?

BunnyBabe

If these people continue to harass you for payment, contact the CSA, 2 Esh Plaza,Sir Bobby Robson Way, Great Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE13 9BA. Had dealings with Past Due, they ignore anything you tell them, can't even sign their own letters. CSA have investigated on a number of issues in which Past Due have broken the Code of Conduct and they are now being monitored for their practices. Do everything in writing then you have it word for word and Past Due cannot change their mind on what has been said. NO NOT PHONE THEM
Good Luck.