Alleged utility debt from 2011 being chased for, ignore?

Placitasgirl

My question was not asked with any negativity at all; it was simply a checking question to establish basic facts; in other words "so you did what utilities suppliers ask you to do when you're moving out of an address?"

It's only negative if you perceive it that way and I'm not going to justify your perception of a question I asked in an attempt to help, nor apologise for it.

[Deleted User]

dekaspace wrote: »

"so" at the start of a sentence given the context easily comes across as negative.


"did you" would not.

So, an interestung perspective.

Paul_DNAP

It might not be your debt.
In the flat above me the guy moved out and it was obvious he didn't tell anyone he'd done so given the number of demands and stuff he got in the months after, and we returned it all "not known at this address". In particular EoN energy were chasing him, so much so they'd got to the stage of hand delivering stuff (which I informed the landlords agent about.)


AND THEN a letter came to the upstairs flat (25B) but not with his name, or with "present occupiers" but WITH MY NAME on it.


Yep EoN debt collection team had been through the suppliers database and seen I was at 25A therefore my name is associated with the property, and therefore associated with the debt, and why not try and get me to pay it instead?


I phoned them up and gave the both barrels, including asking if they've written to the chip shop over the road about the bill, as they're just as much involved as I am. (Be fair to them, they never wrote to me again. They offered to contact me with an apology and I said that I want my name completely and utterly removed from every inch of their system, including that.)


Write back to them (or phone them) and tell them that you were never at that address, and that is not your name and you are not involved in this account in anyway whatsoever.

dekaspace

Deleted_User wrote: »

So, an interestung perspective.

so, a interesting response.

Paul_DNAP wrote: »

It might not be your debt.
In the flat above me the guy moved out and it was obvious he didn't tell anyone he'd done so given the number of demands and stuff he got in the months after, and we returned it all "not known at this address". In particular EoN energy were chasing him, so much so they'd got to the stage of hand delivering stuff (which I informed the landlords agent about.)


AND THEN a letter came to the upstairs flat (25B) but not with his name, or with "present occupiers" but WITH MY NAME on it.


Yep EoN debt collection team had been through the suppliers database and seen I was at 25A therefore my name is associated with the property, and therefore associated with the debt, and why not try and get me to pay it instead?


I phoned them up and gave the both barrels, including asking if they've written to the chip shop over the road about the bill, as they're just as much involved as I am. (Be fair to them, they never wrote to me again. They offered to contact me with an apology and I said that I want my name completely and utterly removed from every inch of their system, including that.)


Write back to them (or phone them) and tell them that you were never at that address, and that is not your name and you are not involved in this account in anyway whatsoever.

Yes its interesting how they have the correct number but missing a flat number, I phoned them and they said I need to prove I didn't live there at the time, send them tenancy agreements bank statements etc.


I just discussed but didn't agree nor disagree.

Placitasgirl wrote: »

My question was not asked with any negativity at all; it was simply a checking question to establish basic facts; in other words "so you did what utilities suppliers ask you to do when you're moving out of an address?"

It's only negative if you perceive it that way and I'm not going to justify your perception of a question I asked in an attempt to help, nor apologise for it.

You dont have to apologise, however that means you took my interpretation in a certain way.



Just look at various postings on this site and see the "so" intro to a answer often is laced with negativity.


Its another way to say "but" quite often.


Peace.

[Deleted User]

You see? It's everywhere!

jimbo26

Out of interest what security questions did they ask a man enquiring about an account held by a female?

dekaspace

An update, I spoke to them at the time and the woman was polite even said what was mentioned above.


Got a letter upon return to my property after being away for a few days with the now adjusted flat number and name saying "Scottish Power have informed us you were living in the property throughout the billing period and did not cancel the account.


I phoned again and got a snotty person, I asked for proof of this debt, when the alleged account was opened and he refused and told me I had to prove I didn't owe the debt, when I said by their own admission they had me down as living in a seperate property in that period, I said I don't admit the debt at all and why are they chasing me for a alleged debt from 7 years ago, they claim there is a default on my name in 2015 which I asked for proof for and they changed the subject, when I said why would I be at 2 properties in other ends of the UK in same time period, and 4 years after the last marker was on my file for the alleged property in question I got told "well how do you explain the usage in that period" I said thats not up to me, you have to prove it they just huffed and got even snottier with me so I told them I want proof of this alleged debt and not willing to speak to them further and hung up the phone.


I am aware I should of sent a template letter but wanted to see their process first, its shocking how they claim theres a default against me but refuse to give me details of this alleged default and I can't find it on MSE checker, clearscore etc (in fact they show closed accounts with zero balances from years ago)


Next steps? Write a letter? They want me to send them tenancy agreements and bank statements to prove I didn't live there.

D_M_E

Customer Service people are just working from a script and don't deviate far from the plot.

Stay off the phone - as you have found you don't get anywhere using that form of communication - and send them the proveit letter for the alleged debt available here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter

sourcrates

dekaspace wrote: »

I phoned again and got a snotty person, I asked for proof of this debt, when the alleged account was opened and he refused and told me I had to prove I didn't owe the debt,


Next steps? Write a letter? They want me to send them tenancy agreements and bank statements to prove I didn't live there.

If someone writes to you out of the blue asking for money, they MUST provide proof of your liability for the debt, when asked to do so.


You should always deal with these things in writing, as said above, the call center staff have little or no knowledge of debt collection rules or procedures.


Send the provit letter to them, available here :


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter


They must then comply with the instructions within that letter.