Two debt collection agencies for dual fuel 'debt'

beardydrummer

Hi All,

I received a letter around two weeks ago from a company called Wescot regarding an overdue payment on an Npower electricity bill from 4 and a half years ago for the sum of £162.70.

I had moved out of the property 4 years ago and as far as I was concerned the account had been settled and the bill was now in another tenants name. I tried to contact the people I shared with but surprise surprise they're all ignoring me. So, I paid the debt and agency fee as I didn't want it harming my credit score.

Much to my anger, I have today received another letter from another company called PDCS who are chasing the gas portion of the bill. So, not only will I have to also pay this debt, but ANOTHER agency fee. I find this to be totally out of order on behalf of Npower. Not only have they left it 4 and a half years to chase these debts, but selling them to two different companies without notice is a bloody outrage. So on top of the 280 pounds that I thought was settled, if I pay this debt it will mean a total of 90 pounds in agency fees.

On another note, how the hell did they get my new address?

What, if anything, can I do about this?

Many thanks in advance.

sourcrates

Hi,

Well if it's not your debt, don't pay it.

Respond with the provit letter, they must prove you are liable for it:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247

Also what "fees" are you talking about ?

Unless your original agreement allows interest and charges to be added to any outstanding debt, then they can't add any fees, so why would you pay them ????

You should always ask for proof of a debt before you pay it, even if you recognise it.

beardydrummer

The agency add their own admin fee to the debt.

The only reason I paid the first one was I am about to apply for a mortgage and the last thing I needed was a stain on my credit record.

worried_jim

beardydrummer wrote: »

The agency add their own admin fee to the debt.

The only reason I paid the first one was I am about to apply for a mortgage and the last thing I needed was a stain on my credit record.

I'd have thought that a four year old unpaid bill would already be a stain on your credit record- have you checked?

sourcrates

beardydrummer wrote: »

The agency add their own admin fee to the debt.

The only reason I paid the first one was I am about to apply for a mortgage and the last thing I needed was a stain on my credit record.

They can only do this if your original electricity/gas contract allows it.

Send the provit letter, ask them where in the contract it says they can add any fees.
The other poster is right, some utility bills are recorded on your credit file, you should check and see.

beardydrummer

I've never been in debt before, and as far as I can see I don't have anything negative on my credit record.

I accept that I have been naive in dealing with the first bill, but I am going to challenge this new one with all my might!

poppasmurf_bewdley

Have you checked if these two debt collection agencies are connected in any way?

It's not unknown for connected agencies to see that one account has been settled in full and then send another account in the hope that will be paid as well.

Just seems funny that they both have 'fees' in addition to the original amount.

sourcrates

beardydrummer wrote: »

Much to my anger, I have today received another letter from another company called PDCS who are chasing the gas portion of the bill. So, not only will I have to also pay this debt, but ANOTHER agency fee.

Past Due Credit Solutions who are also known as PDCS, are a company that specialize in collecting payments of debts owed by individuals. They collect debts on behalf of HMRC and companies like BT, SKY, British Gas, First Utility, N-Power and the like.

So they do not own the debt, the account will still belong to N-power.

Which means they have no right to make any extra charges, and if thats what there claiming you have to pay, they are simply trying it on hoping you wont realize there fees are unenforceable.

nPower

beardydrummer wrote: »

Hi All,

I received a letter around two weeks ago from a company called Wescot regarding an overdue payment on an Npower electricity bill from 4 and a half years ago for the sum of £162.70.

I had moved out of the property 4 years ago and as far as I was concerned the account had been settled and the bill was now in another tenants name. I tried to contact the people I shared with but surprise surprise they're all ignoring me. So, I paid the debt and agency fee as I didn't want it harming my credit score.

Much to my anger, I have today received another letter from another company called PDCS who are chasing the gas portion of the bill. So, not only will I have to also pay this debt, but ANOTHER agency fee. I find this to be totally out of order on behalf of Npower. Not only have they left it 4 and a half years to chase these debts, but selling them to two different companies without notice is a bloody outrage. So on top of the 280 pounds that I thought was settled, if I pay this debt it will mean a total of 90 pounds in agency fees.

On another note, how the hell did they get my new address?

What, if anything, can I do about this?

Many thanks in advance.

Hi Beardydrummer

Thanks for your post.

We shouldn't be charging you any extra for energy used more than 12 months ago that we've not already charged you for, under the Energy UK Code of Practice for Accurate Billing, including any payments made onto the account. If we've amended your bills more than 12 months after you've left us, we would, therefore, write this off, unless you'd been made aware of the balance within that timescale.

I'd recommend getting in touch with us using the contact details on our profile page with your supply address/account details, so we can take a closer look and apply the policy if appropriate.

Kind regards

Jess

beardydrummer

nPower_company_representative wrote: »

Hi Beardydrummer

Thanks for your post.

We shouldn't be charging you any extra for energy used more than 12 months ago that we've not already charged you for, under the Energy UK Code of Practice for Accurate Billing, including any payments made onto the account. If we've amended your bills more than 12 months after you've left us, we would, therefore, write this off, unless you'd been made aware of the balance within that timescale.

I'd recommend getting in touch with us using the contact details on our profile page with your supply address/account details, so we can take a closer look and apply the policy if appropriate.

Kind regards

Jess

Thanks for the reply Jess. I have sent the email as suggested.

monacska

Hello.
I've got the same issue. Got letter from Moor croft first then Wescot about a debt with NPOWER for an address where I moved out 2 years ago and account been cancelled. Contacted both companies and sent them proof that the period they charge me wasn't living there. Now getting calls and automated messages from Wescot to call them back. Bit confused....