Water Company Default

[Deleted User]

RainMaker wrote: »

But what if your name was JOHN SMITH and the bills were addressed to JONNY SMYTHE ?

I'd open it, as I'd assume it was clearly meant for me, given it was sent to my address.

lewisa

I have had a recent similar experience, bills were going to a different but similar address. The dispute went on for about 6 months, long story short -

They started a small claim against me, I filed defence, they backed out of court at 11th hour but left spurious fees on my water account, I refused to pay them, they argued in a manner of 'shut up little powerless consumer pay or else' and threatened another court case, I threatened them with a court case. We argued, it was great fun and games.

They eventually removed the excess fees but refused to remove the credit file missed payment. I threatened court and ICO, they again said roughly 'legal waffle, haha you're now confused you little consumer, legal waffle, scary legal waffle, you know nothing, do as we say you have no other choice'

At that point I sent an email to the Guardian Consumer Champions, and 3 days later the water company phoned me with a grovelling apology, compensation and they expedited the removal of incorrect info on credit file.


I shoud add - Im in a position to have paid any CCJ within 28 days and were happy to waste a good few hundred quid on my own court fees threatening them and wasting as much of their dumb schmuck time as possible, if you are less financially comfortable you may want to think differently.

fermi

lewisa wrote: »

I have had a recent similar experience, bills were going to a different but similar address. The dispute went on for about 6 months, long story short -

They started a small claim against me, I filed defence, they backed out of court at 11th hour but left spurious fees on my water account, I refused to pay them, they argued in a manner of 'shut up little powerless consumer pay or else' and threatened another court case, I threatened them with a court case. We argued, it was great fun and games.

They eventually removed the excess fees but refused to remove the credit file missed payment. I threatened court and ICO, they again said roughly 'legal waffle, haha you're now confused you little consumer, legal waffle, scary legal waffle, you know nothing, do as we say you have no other choice'

At that point I sent an email to the Guardian Consumer Champions, and 3 days later the water company phoned me with a grovelling apology, compensation and they expedited the removal of incorrect info on credit file.


I shoud add - Im in a position to have paid any CCJ within 28 days and were happy to waste a good few hundred quid on my own court fees threatening them and wasting as much of their dumb schmuck time as possible, if you are less financially comfortable you may want to think differently.

If you can stand the hassle, that is the way to do it.

Scandalous that people have to though...

fusionx212

lewisa wrote: »

I have had a recent similar experience, bills were going to a different but similar address. The dispute went on for about 6 months, long story short -

They started a small claim against me, I filed defence, they backed out of court at 11th hour but left spurious fees on my water account, I refused to pay them, they argued in a manner of 'shut up little powerless consumer pay or else' and threatened another court case, I threatened them with a court case. We argued, it was great fun and games.

They eventually removed the excess fees but refused to remove the credit file missed payment. I threatened court and ICO, they again said roughly 'legal waffle, haha you're now confused you little consumer, legal waffle, scary legal waffle, you know nothing, do as we say you have no other choice'

At that point I sent an email to the Guardian Consumer Champions, and 3 days later the water company phoned me with a grovelling apology, compensation and they expedited the removal of incorrect info on credit file.


I shoud add - Im in a position to have paid any CCJ within 28 days and were happy to waste a good few hundred quid on my own court fees threatening them and wasting as much of their dumb schmuck time as possible, if you are less financially comfortable you may want to think differently.

I am in dispute with them regarding incorrect credit file reporting.

account in wifes name not mine, wife asked me to deal with them as auth contact. (no agreement or contract signed by me)

I don't have an account with them and never have but they have decided I should be due to data protection which is baloney.

fusionx212

lewisa wrote: »

I have had a recent similar experience, bills were going to a different but similar address. The dispute went on for about 6 months, long story short -

They started a small claim against me, I filed defence, they backed out of court at 11th hour but left spurious fees on my water account, I refused to pay them, they argued in a manner of 'shut up little powerless consumer pay or else' and threatened another court case, I threatened them with a court case. We argued, it was great fun and games.

They eventually removed the excess fees but refused to remove the credit file missed payment. I threatened court and ICO, they again said roughly 'legal waffle, haha you're now confused you little consumer, legal waffle, scary legal waffle, you know nothing, do as we say you have no other choice'

At that point I sent an email to the Guardian Consumer Champions, and 3 days later the water company phoned me with a grovelling apology, compensation and they expedited the removal of incorrect info on credit file.


I shoud add - Im in a position to have paid any CCJ within 28 days and were happy to waste a good few hundred quid on my own court fees threatening them and wasting as much of their dumb schmuck time as possible, if you are less financially comfortable you may want to think differently.

great idea about consumer champions I have raised this with them as well.
as I am genuinly annoyed with their disregard for my complaint.

Complained to the ICO FOS OFWAT All in progress.
am gonna moan at them via the social media channels

lewisa

In all the communication I had with them, I think my favourite was when they said that it was my fault there was a similar address, and I should contact my local council in order to get the address made more different :rotfl:

fusionx212

lewisa wrote: »

In all the communication I had with them, I think my favourite was when they said that it was my fault there was a similar address, and I should contact my local council in order to get the address made more different :rotfl:

it's just a joke, they think on the basis of data protection thats authorisation to add me to the account which was in arrears that affected only my wife to now saying I had an account from 2006, I did even know her then...

it's beyond a joke, I've complained to everyone and the complaint process from ofwat was useless

GingerBob_3

fusionx212 wrote: »

it's just a joke, they think on the basis of data protection thats authorisation to add me to the account which was in arrears that affected only my wife to now saying I had an account from 2006, I did even know her then...

it's beyond a joke, I've complained to everyone and the complaint process from ofwat was useless

Much as I disrespect them, your best bet is probably with the ICO. It's a simple issue - based on their definition of "reasonable cause" how do they justify allowing water companies to report customer accounts to the CRAs without consent?

fusionx212

GingerBob wrote: »

Much as I disrespect them, your best bet is probably with the ICO. It's a simple issue - based on their definition of "reasonable cause" how do they justify allowing water companies to report customer accounts to the CRAs without consent?

yep i agree just banging my head against a wall stating the obvious to these guys. time spent just making casefiles is a waste of time.