Contacted by Moorcroft RE a fictitious debt with SSE

_Coast_

I'm posting for some advice after browsing around the boards for information.

The summary of my scenario is that I have been contacted (x3 letters & several telephone calls) by Moorcroft regarding a debit they believe I have with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE). I don't have any current dealings with SSE and don't owe them anything. Approx. 18 months ago I moved out of a rented flat where SSE had supplied my Gas and Electricity. I gave a forwarding address for the final bills which arrived and I promptly paid for by cheques (which cleared my bank account) as I had with all my bills at that address. I heard nothing more from SSE and as far as I am concerned the accounts were paid and closed.

I'm wondering if it is a subsequent tenant who has run up the bills, then left and not paid? Seems, from reading the information on Moorcroft on the forum, that it wouldn't be entirely out of character for them to try and get me to pay someone else's bill.

Anyway, I've sent a complaint e-mail to SSE today (their customer relation e-mail address) with details of when I moved out of my flat, the final bill amounts and when the cheques cleared my account. I have asked that they contact Moorcroft and tell them that I don't owe SSE anything and that they must stop contacting me. (They couldn't take my call when I telephoned, hope they get back to my e-mail.)

However, it seems from the forum that there is a chance that SSE won't do anything/Moorcroft will keep harassing me. If this is the case I plan to send Moorcroft the template letter at the top of this post: (sorry, can't put the link as I'm a newbie - but the 'prove it letter' from another post) by signed for delivery so I know they have got it.

I don't want to give Moorcroft any more information than they have on me so won't give details of my tenancy to them, but I'm not sure whether or not I should sign the letter? I have sen people say not to sign it on some posts as the DCA could then use your signature for fraud, but I'm just wondering if you don't sign it the letter isn't valid?

Advice on this scenario welcome!

fermi

Not signing is a precaution when they are collecting some sorts of credit agreements where in the past some DCAs are 'alleged' to have lifted signatures.

(very little evidence this really happened in any numbers, or even perhaps at all)

Even for those honestly it is probably not necessary, and certainly not for something such as this sort of bill.

Up to you though....

_Coast_

Thanks fermi, will probably sign the letter then. Though still hoping that SSE will say they'll sort out!

Marktheshark

Start the complaints procedure with SSE in WRITING with certified post so you have the timer ticking for the ombudsman.

sourcrates

Its best to dispute it with Moorcroft as well, it will save further contact as they will "put your account on hold", whilst they "consult with there client".


These type of debts pop up regularly on here, usually because of the scenario you describe above.

trencherpilot

I had a similar problem with British Gas, I rent a house and somehow, between the letting agency and the tenant, the Gas bill was put in my name and the tenant didn't pay it for 3 years. First I knew about it, was when a debt collector sent me a letter at my home address, I contacted Brit Gas and they asked me to prove I hadn't been living there, which with the help of the 2 councils (Rental house and current address) providing the names of council tax bill payers, I could. The debt was then removed from both my ac!!!! and off my credit rating. I suggest that if you can prove you were living elsewhere by using the council tax bill at your current address and get SSE to contact your old addresses council, they'll be able to trace the person responsible. Hope that made sense.

Tjh1412

Re Moorcroft as a facility, as far as I am aware they no longer exist. My uncle was paying them back on a defaulted loan from Lloyds tsb and he received a letter from bank approx. 6 weeks ago to inform him he hadn't been paying as Moorcroft was no longer trading, luckily all sorted now but worth knowing