Ex-partner didn't pay bills

taconite2

Just had a letter today from a debt recovery agency claiming I owe them £770 for an unpaid electric bill from August 2013 - May 2014.

I never "lived" at this property - I might have stayed over the occasional evening. My ex-partner did from August 2013 to April 2014. Long story short we had a financial dispute which was settled in court and she moved to Australia before I got any of my money back. Why I'm getting this letter I don't know. They claim "after investigations" whatever that means.

Rang them up and they are asking for proof I never lived there saying I need to contact the council where I live now. Which is fine I can do this....but...

Problem is I live with my parents who pay the council tax, however I am registered on electoral roll there. Is this enough?

Any ideas how I can prove this wasn't me?

HappyMJ

taconite2 wrote: »

Just had a letter today from a debt recovery agency claiming I owe them £770 for an unpaid electric bill from August 2013 - May 2014.

I never "lived" at this property - I might have stayed over the occasional evening. My ex-partner did from August 2013 to April 2014. Long story short we had a financial dispute which was settled in court and she moved to Australia before I got any of my money back. Why I'm getting this letter I don't know. They claim "after investigations" whatever that means.

Rang them up and they are asking for proof I never lived there saying I need to contact the council where I live now. Which is fine I can do this....but...

Problem is I live with my parents who pay the council tax, however I am registered on electoral roll there. Is this enough?

Any ideas how I can prove this wasn't me?

On the electoral roll where?

I'd just ignore them. If your ex put your name on the bill and you weren't responsible for it then it's fraud but the police won't do a thing about it if your ex is no longer in the country. You can though get a crime reference number to pass on to the debt collector.

modsandmockers

taconite2 wrote: »

I never "lived" at this property - I might have stayed over the occasional evening......however I am registered on electoral roll there

How does that work?

If the bill has your name on it, then you will have to pay. If it doesn't have your name on it, then you will not have to pay.

Ask to see the bill.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

modsandmockers wrote: »

How does that work?

If the bill has your name on it, then you will have to pay. If it doesn't have your name on it, then you will not have to pay.

Ask to see the bill.

Whilst true in 98ish% of cases, it sounds like the OP here is the victim of fraud, under which circumstances of course they wouldn't have to pay.

taconite2

HappyMJ wrote: »

On the electoral roll where?

I'd just ignore them. If your ex put your name on the bill and you weren't responsible for it then it's fraud but the police won't do a thing about it if your ex is no longer in the country. You can though get a crime reference number to pass on to the debt collector.

I'm registered at my parents house, not the one the bill is saying.

taconite2

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

Whilst true in 98ish% of cases, it sounds like the OP here is the victim of fraud, under which circumstances of course they wouldn't have to pay.

Correct.

Problem is my name is on this letter.....

I've not seen any bills ever.

HappyMJ

taconite2 wrote: »

I'm registered at my parents house, not the one the bill is saying.

Phew...thought when you said however and there you meant at the ex's house. That'll all be on your credit report. I'd get a copy of that and send that to the debt collector along with the crime reference number from the police. Your ex doesn't want to come back to the UK do they?...ah who cares. Just report them.

naedanger

taconite2 wrote: »

Problem is I live with my parents who pay the council tax, however I am registered on electoral roll there. Is this enough?

Any ideas how I can prove this wasn't me?

Strictly speaking you don't need to prove you aren't responsible, it is for them to prove you are. To be responsible you would need to have agreed to be on the account, or have had some financial responsibility for the property e.g. have had a tenancy agreement.

That said you will have a quieter life if you can convince them you didn't live there. I suggest you tell them what the position was (e.g. that you lived with your parents, were never on the property's tenancy agreement, were never on the voters roll at that address etc). Explain that you cannot give them what they want (since you lived with your parents) and ask what else might help. Generally try to be helpful but explain the position. If you can think of any reasonably independent witnesses (i.e. not family or friends but maybe an employer) then ask whether a statement from them would help.

However if you cannot satisfy them explain you dispute that you have any responsibility for the bill, state that you never agreed to be on the account, and ask them either to take you to court or stop their debt recovery actions.

modsandmockers

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

Whilst true in 98ish% of cases, it sounds like the OP here is the victim of fraud, under which circumstances of course they wouldn't have to pay.

Mmmm - I don't think that the evidence so far suggests anything of the sort! Debt collectors will write to any name which they can link with the debt or the address. Until they can show that the OP's name appears on the bill, then there is nothing for the OP to do.

[Deleted User]

taconite2 wrote: »

I'm registered at my parents house, not the one the bill is saying.

If your name is on the account then it will be your word against your ex..and she s in Australia, it does nt matter who s name is on the letter, its the account which matters. Spiro or is it Macman always come up with this sentence with the common dispute like this.."jointly and severally liable " and you will be chased for the bill and face claiming back the amount from your ex in the small claims court if your name is on the account.

footyguy

taconite2 wrote: »

Just had a letter today from a debt recovery agency claiming I owe them £770 for an unpaid electric bill from August 2013 - May 2014.

I never "lived" at this property - I might have stayed over the occasional evening. My ex-partner did from August 2013 to April 2014. Long story short we had a financial dispute which was settled in court and she moved to Australia before I got any of my money back. Why I'm getting this letter I don't know. They claim "after investigations" whatever that means.

Rang them up and they are asking for proof I never lived there saying I need to contact the council where I live now. Which is fine I can do this....but...

Problem is I live with my parents who pay the council tax, however I am registered on electoral roll there. Is this enough?

Any ideas how I can prove this wasn't me?

Its not for you to prove you don't owe the money - that would be attempting to prove a negative.

It's for the creditor to prove you do owe the money!

Pop over to the debt free wannabe board and there's a sticky there, I think the one created by fermi, that links to a 'prove it' letter