First Utility correction of costs on closed account.

Donnyjue

FU have instructed a debt collector called CRS to collect an amount of £566 which is being discounted to £453 if paid by 31st October.
I closed my account with FU around 2 yrs ago and all outstanding bills were settled. When I contacted FU today they said they had corrected some estimated bills dating between July 2009 and January 2010 and wanted the difference from us.
I told them I wasn't happy with this at which point they offered to run another estimation based on the electric/gas we would use in one week now.
Can they really do this so far down the line and without any contact with me first?

D_M_E

January 2010 is over 6 years ago.

They say that they have made "corrections" to estimated bills and now want more money.

You should write - NOT PHONE - and demand written evidence of how they arrive at their figures, and also send copies to the debt collectors.

There is also I think the Limitations Act 1980 to consider which may help and which says that any debt over 6 years old which has had no payments made towards it within the 6 years is not enforceable, that is you don't have to pay it whatever the collectors or company says - I am not an expert on this, you need to check if it applies in your case.

Have a read of http://debtcamel.co.uk/statute-barred-debt/

The trouble is is that the account was closed and payment made only 2 years ago so FU could claim that the 6 years started from that point, BUT you made what you believed to be a full and final settlement at that time, so there are multiple arguments here.

Write and demand a breakdown of their calculations and what you paid and get them to call off the dogs while they investigate.

Far better if you kept any evidence yourself, such as amounts paid, any meter readings, details of tariffs, etc.

dogshome

The demand for payment on re-calculated Estimated bills doesn't add up

Plenty of bills are Estimated, (Guessed), and can be too high or low.
BUT
No matter how many Estimated bills there have been, the very next bill issued that is based on an actual reading, brings the entire account accurately into line with Energy used and payments made to date.

My personal view is that the 6 year Statute of Limitation will apply, so follow D_M_E's advice and bone up on it

Donnyjue

dogshome wrote: »

The demand for payment on re-calculated Estimated bills doesn't add up

Plenty of bills are Estimated, (Guessed), and can be too high or low.
BUT
No matter how many Estimated bills there have been, the very next bill issued that is based on an actual reading, brings the entire account accurately into line with Energy used and payments made to date.

My personal view is that the 6 year Statute of Limitation will apply, so follow D_M_E's advice and bone up on it

Thanks dogshome, you've just confirmed what I was thinking after phoning them. In addition, they said the costs were for both electric and gas but we had a smart meter for the electric fitted when we joined them, so the readings should have been accurate.
I was looking at the figures this morning and the period in question was 6 months. When breaking the £566 down, it would amount to £94 per month which is basically what our total bill was on average, so they are really claiming that nothing was paid for 6 months!! Think I will check my bank statements, if I still have them.