Spark Energy - help needed

Grumbleweed

Hi all,
I've got an issue with Spark Energy.

My wife and I moved out of our old property back in 07/14. recently, I;ve been getting chased by Spark (and their collection guys at Churchill solutions) regarding an account that they say I owe them.

I've never had an account with spark as the domestics were in my wifes name (and we transferred the account to our new address).

It seems that the tenant after us gave Spark my name so she wouldn't have to pay her debt.

I've now logged a formal complaint with OFGEM etc and have gone round the houses trying to clear this off my name.

Does this constitute identity theft? I cant see how an energy company can legally go after someone who never held an account with them?

Any advice I would be very grateful!!

footyguy

Grumbleweed wrote: »

Hi all,
I've got an issue with Spark Energy.

My wife and I moved out of our old property back in 07/14. recently, I;ve been getting chased by Spark (and their collection guys at Churchill solutions) regarding an account that they say I owe them.

I've never had an account with spark as the domestics were in my wifes name (and we transferred the account to our new address).

It seems that the tenant after us gave Spark my name so she wouldn't have to pay her debt.

I've now logged a formal complaint with OFGEM etc and have gone round the houses trying to clear this off my name.

Does this constitute identity theft? I cant see how an energy company can legally go after someone who never held an account with them?

Any advice I would be very grateful!!

Ofgem will not assist you with your complaint.

I don't think this is a case of identity theft.

Have you spoken to the supplier?

First thing you need (if you have not yet got it) is the bill.
Then you need to decide whether or not it does relate to your usage.

System

Before you go down the route of identity theft, you need to ask for a copy of any bill/s from Spark Energy. It is possible that this is an amended bill based on agreed readings with the new owner/tenant. I assume that you gave Spark actual meter readings when you moved out of the property last year?

As pointed out above, Ofgem do not deal with complaints. You need to follow Spark's Complaints process and escalate it to The Energy Ombudsman if necessary.

macman

You can't 'transfer' an account to a new address as you describe. The old account is closed and a final bill sent. If the new property is already with Spark, you can transfer over direct. If not, then you are in a deemed account with the existing supplier, and you'd have to register with them before you can commence a switch to Spark You do not say if your wife still owes money from the old account-did she receive a final bill?

Former Spark Representative

Hi Grumbleweed


I'm sorry to hear about this.


We don't take tenancy details for old tenants from new ones, normally we'll get our information from the letting agent, so I'd like to see what happened here.


If you can email me using the details on my profile I can raise a CEO level complaint and make sure we get this sorted out for you.


Hope to hear from you soon.


Jenny
Customer Relations Manager