Is it a Scam? Strange arrears letter from SSE, help please

OuterNet

I've received a strange letter from my Gas company SSE (via Ebico on a pay as you go meter, have been with them for around 3 years and at this property for 9 years). There are a few things that are making me suspect it could be a scam, and I wonder if anyone else has experienced this or if I am being too cautious?

They say:

"we've tried to contact you because our records show you have not purchased any Gas on your Pay As You Go meter. We haven't heard from you and the arrears you owe are due for payment. Please remember that Standing Charges are building up each day."

Then goes on to say that I need to pay and they can arrange for a debt collector to visit my home without notice, and charge me £49.87.

My confusion is:
They haven't tried to contact me prior to this letter.
They haven't informed me of any arrears.
I did purchase gas around 14 days ago, and am in credit on the meter.
I shouldn't be charged standing charges because I am with Ebico and they don't charge standing charges - they wrote to me last month and confirmed this.

This has come out of the blue. The letter doesn't mention the amount that I owe and they haven't sent me a bill.

The phone number is also different from that on the last correspondence I received. It is addressed to me and has my account number on it, but my name and address are styled differently (title, initial, surname on the old letters and title, full first name and surname on the new one), account number with a gap between the two halves on all the old correspondence, and without a gap on the new one.

Is it genuine or could be a scam? Has anyone else experienced this?

naedanger

OuterNet wrote: »

I've received a strange letter from my Gas company SSE (via Ebico on a pay as you go meter, have been with them for around 3 years and at this property for 9 years). There are a few things that are making me suspect it could be a scam, and I wonder if anyone else has experienced this or if I am being too cautious?

They say:

"we've tried to contact you because our records show you have not purchased any Gas on your Pay As You Go meter. We haven't heard from you and the arrears you owe are due for payment. Please remember that Standing Charges are building up each day."

Then goes on to say that I need to pay and they can arrange for a debt collector to visit my home without notice, and charge me £49.87.

My confusion is:
They haven't tried to contact me prior to this letter.
They haven't informed me of any arrears.
I did purchase gas around 14 days ago, and am in credit on the meter.
I shouldn't be charged standing charges because I am with Ebico and they don't charge standing charges - they wrote to me last month and confirmed this.

This has come out of the blue. The letter doesn't mention the amount that I owe and they haven't sent me a bill.

The phone number is also different from that on the last correspondence I received. It is addressed to me and has my account number on it, but my name and address are styled differently (title, initial, surname on the old letters and title, full first name and surname on the new one), account number with a gap between the two halves on all the old correspondence, and without a gap on the new one.

Is it genuine or could be a scam? Has anyone else experienced this?

It sounds more likely to be a genuine letter than a scam. However to avoid any risk contact SEE/Ebico via a telephone number you know is theirs (in other words not the number on the suspect letter) and ask them about the letter.

Nada666

In one sense this is good news - many customers (of SSE not Ebico) on prepayment meters will be accumulating daily standing charge arrears on their gas meters over summer. 180 days at 26p per day is £46. It is good they are reminding those customers. Of course it does not apply to you.

OuterNet

Thanks Nada66. I agree that this should not apply to me, but the letter is addressed to me and says that I am in arrears. Thanks naedanger. I've now had a twenty minute phone call with SSE, they weren't able to resolve it and are supposed to be phoning me back.

OuterNet

No call back from SSE, so I guess I don't owe them any money? What a mystery.

Consumerist

OuterNet wrote: »

No call back from SSE, so I guess I don't owe them any money? What a mystery.

I wouldn't rely on a telephone conversation alone to resolve this matter.

You could still end up with debt collectors at your door so put your response in writing (preferably a letter by Recorded Delivery) and refer to the telephone conversation you have had - give the name of the person to whom you spoke, if you have it.

OuterNet

Thanks Consumerist. I agree, still heard nothing back so am sending a letter off to SSE to ask for written confirmation that nothing is owed and there will be no further action.