First Utility - billing problem

Twinsmummy73

Hi all, any advice on this would be much appreciated. I moved house in December 2015 and the previous owner had First Utility for both gas & electricity supply. I decided to switch to a different supplier straight away and gave meter readings to both First Utility and my new provider (which I've had no problems with). First Utility took forever to bill me from the date I moved in until the 'switch' which was the end of January. Since then I've received various bills addressed to the previous homeowner, or 'the occupier' for the period of 1 month that they supplied me leading up to the switch. I have phoned them several times to advise I am not happy to pay a bill that is not in my name. I've chased, gave them my full name several times, but to date I have still not received a bill in my name.
Last week totally out of the blue I received a letter from a debt collection agency, stating they are now chasing the unpaid amount on First Utilities behalf. I have called the debt collection agency and explained to them that I have never received a bill in my name. They have now put the account on hold and have gone back to First Utility to pass on my comments. Any thoughts on how I should now proceed? It just doesn't feel right paying a bill not in my name, how can I prove I've paid it in the future if it's not for me? Many thanks

footyguy

See this very recent thread
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5503674