British Gas "late payments" - bills never received by me

[Deleted User]

I have a couple of old accounts with British Gas from previous properties that are now "closed" but apparently still owe money on them.

I contacted British Gas and they provided the details for me (confirmed the addresses, confirmed the bill amount and for what (gas/electric)).

The problem is, I never received any Final Bill emails or letters in the post, that were apparently sent to my new addresses after moving.
Now because of this, British Gas have reported this back to the CRA's and they show as Defaults/Late Payments on my credit files.

I have raised email complaints with them and spoken to them on the phone but they are refusing to remove the late payment/default markers and remove any late payment charges, despite me not receiving the bills - they also themselves cannot provide proof of postage for the letters they apparently sent, nor any track and trace details for the emails they apparently sent as well.

Any advise what to do here and where I stand on this?

Gary

National_Debtline

Hi Gary


Unfortunately with bills sent in the post they won't be sent recorded delivery, so there is no way to prove whether they were received or not. Have British Gas told you the final bills were sent by email as well? If they were, and it was within the last 6 years, you would expect them to still have a record of this. You could make a subject access request to find out exactly what information they do hold on your record, but be aware they can charge you a £10 fee for doing this.


If you can't resolve your complaint with British Gas you can escalate it to the Energy Ombudsman. They will investigate and make an impartial decision.


Are you in a position to now pay off the debts? If you can, your credit file will be updated to show the debt has been satisfied. That will be more favourable than a debt with an outstanding balance. Good luck with it all.


Susie
@natdebtline

[Deleted User]

Hi,

Yes apparently sent by email and post, but I received neither.

I've already explained to them that I am happy to pay off the amounts owed, however I'm not willing to pay the late payment fees and I requested the markings on my credit file be removed

Carrot007

!!! wrote: »

Hi,

Yes apparently sent by email and post, but I received neither.

I've already explained to them that I am happy to pay off the amounts owed, however I'm not willing to pay the late payment fees and I requested the markings on my credit file be removed

I would think you have no chance.

Surely you expedced a Final Bill and therefore chased it up when you got none? Demonstrate that to them and they will probably remove them.

bengal-stripe

!!! wrote: »

I have a couple of old accounts with British Gas from previous properties that are now "closed" but apparently still owe money on them.

The problem is, I never received any Final Bill emails or letters in the post, that were apparently sent to my new addresses after moving.

How many accounts were that, over how many years and how many different addresses were those final bills to be sent? Of course it happens occasionally that a letter gets lost in the mail. But you claim that of various bills, their e-mail versions, numerous reminders and threats of legal action, going to a variety of addresses, none of that lot did ever reach you. What about phone calls? If there are outstanding monies, they will start calling you numerous times of the day.

I find that hard to believe. Did you leave a forwarding address with BG?

[Deleted User]

bengal-stripe wrote: »

How many accounts were that, over how many years and how many different addresses were those final bills to be sent? Of course it happens occasionally that a letter gets lost in the mail. But you claim that of various bills, their e-mail versions, numerous reminders and threats of legal action, going to a variety of addresses, none of that lot did ever reach you. What about phone calls? If there are outstanding monies, they will start calling you numerous times of the day.

I find that hard to believe. Did you leave a forwarding address with BG?

One account at one address, moved house using their "Move Home" option through my account, then the same again from that address to the current address - still with BG.

All the other accounts from previous addresses were closed off and removed from my online account so there's not even any visibility of them anymore.

And this is the thing - there's been no phone calls, no letters, no final bill reminders, no late payment advisories, no demands for payment.