Harrassment Advise

p111dom

Hi I'm new to the forum so please forgive me if these things already exist but I guess I'm looking for a template letter. The problem is that I have a friend who has moved from her own home into rented accommodation about 2 years ago. Now she's getting phone calls from a debt collection agency regarding an unpaid bill with the utility company when she left her old house. When she moved out she took a final reading and paid the final bills. She has rung the power company and they have apologised saying it was a mistake and that no money is outstanding but she's still getting calls. Now the collection company are threatening to send in the bailiffs. She keeps telling them that the power company says she doesn't owe anything but they obviously don't believe her. I had this problem 3 years ago but I moved out of rented accommodation into my own home. The letting agent could prove that I didn't live at the address when I was accused of an unpaid bill. Fortunately they were also solicitors and sorted it all out for me with legal letters free of charge. She however has no such back up. What should she do? I've told her that if the bailiffs turn up don't open the door and to call me but how does she get this to stop. It's impossible to prove a negative.

dmg24

She needs to get a letter from the utility company, and pass on a copy of this letter to the debt collection company.

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

There are lots of cases like this on the forum.

What often happens is there was no change of name on the account and bills piled up in her name. I appreciate the Utility company should have done so, but these are Utility companies who are not renowned for efficiency!!

I would simply write(not ring) to energywatch and explain the situation, copy the letter to the Utility company by recorded delivery.

Terrylw1

Hi,

The utility company needs to recall the debt from the Agency as they have amended their own records but not recalled the debt from them. So, the agency is unaware.

Calling the debt collection agency will also do this.

This should be very quick to resolve. She is in the sam situation as many others. When utility companies mess up bills they very quickly pass debts on. When you query the issue, they than ahve to amend their systems and recall the debt. The debt collector will very happy do this on their advice as they then know it's been an error.

Good luck, if that doesn't work, go Energywatch but all the supplier will do when they contact them is the same as the above. (This is presuming that they were correct in telling her that she owes nothing)