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Eon debt collection issues

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andyproc
andyproc Posts: 72 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
I have just received a letter from Eon saying I owed them £193.28 from an address I lived at 8 years ago. I have lived at 2 different addresses since then. They have also said they have sold this debt to an agency called Lowell Financial to recover.

I have never been contacted by Eon in this 8 years to say I owe them money and what its for, and have never moved house without informing my supplier and making sure all bills were up to date. I find this all very infuriating and strange, how do I proceed with this?

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 178,346 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Write back with the facts as well as pointing out that when they track down the person responsible, the debt is probably barred by Statute as it is more than 6 years old.
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • andyproc
    andyproc Posts: 72 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 25 October 2018 at 2:34PM
    They are saying its from March 2013 which could be correct and are saying they didn't have a forwarding address for me to send me the final bill when I lived there.


    Can they do this after so long when they have managed to find my address now and I have never tried to hide it?
  • Merlin139
    Merlin139 Posts: 7,250 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    andyproc wrote: »
    They are saying its from March 2013 which could be correct and are saying they didn't have a forwarding address for me to send me the final bill when I lived there.

    Can they do this after so long when they have managed to find my address now and I have never tried to hide it?

    When did you move from the address that they are saying the bill is from?
    3.795 kWp Solar PV System. Capital of the Wolds

  • D_M_E
    D_M_E Posts: 3,008 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    March 2013 is a lot less than 8 years ago.

    If you can prove that you left the address 8 years ago then you have a solid defence.

    However, as you say you left 8 years ago, and then say "it could be correct" in relation to March 2013, you need to decide what is actually correct and whether you do in fact owe anything.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,346 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    andyproc wrote: »
    They are saying its from March 2013 which could be correct and are saying they didn't have a forwarding address for me to send me the final bill when I lived there.


    Can they do this after so long when they have managed to find my address now and I have never tried to hide it?

    Have a read of this link:

    https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/time-limits-for-recovering-debts/statute-barred-debt.aspx

    As you are still within the 6 year period, then the supplier has the right to recover the amount owed. Only the supplier knows why it has taken so long to catch up with you. If you owe the supplier, my advice would be 'pay it' unless you can prove that the debt isn't yours. (Eg, it covers period after you moved out or the amount sought has already been billed).
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • matelodave
    matelodave Posts: 9,076 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Just ask them for a fully itemised bill and then check your bank accounts to ensure that you paid it at the time.

    I assume you did let them know that you were moving and asked them to send you a final bill and tried to chase it if you didn't receive one.

    As Hengus points out, you can be chased for six years so you should always make sure that you save records (bills, bank stsement etc) for six years to enable you to challenge a perceived debt.
    Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
  • Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc
    Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc Posts: 6,558 Organisation Representative
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    andyproc wrote: »
    I have just received a letter from Eon saying I owed them £193.28 from an address I lived at 8 years ago. I have lived at 2 different addresses since then. They have also said they have sold this debt to an agency called Lowell Financial to recover.

    I have never been contacted by Eon in this 8 years to say I owe them money and what its for, and have never moved house without informing my supplier and making sure all bills were up to date. I find this all very infuriating and strange, how do I proceed with this?
    andyproc wrote: »
    They are saying its from March 2013 which could be correct and are saying they didn't have a forwarding address for me to send me the final bill when I lived there.


    Can they do this after so long when they have managed to find my address now and I have never tried to hide it?


    Hello andyproc and totally understand we're talking about events a long time ago.

    It does sometimes happen that customers move on and we don't have a forwarding address to send the final bill. We try various means to try to locate them including using Debt Collection Agencies and this can take a long time although it's unusual it takes this long.

    The letter you've received from us is to let you know we've sent the account to Lowell and what to do next. Lowell will contact you independently by letter to let you know they're involved. If you believe the debt isn't right please talk to Lowell in the first instance providing as much supporting evidence as possible. Contact details are on both ours and Lowell's letters. If necessary, Lowell will talk to a specialist team here about any amendments.

    Our advisors will be happy to talk to you about the account and to give you as much information as possible including meter readings and supply dates. As above, you'll need to talk to Lowell about any amendments or queries. These can't be initiated by our general advisors at this stage.

    Should you agree the debt is correct you can either pay Lowell directly or talk to them about setting up a suitable payment arrangement.

    Hope this helps point you in the right direction.

    Malc
    Official Company Representative
    I am an official company representative of E.ON. MSE has given permission for me to post in response to queries about the company, so that I can help solve issues. You can see my name on the companies with permission to post list. I am not allowed to tout for business at all. If you believe I am please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com This does NOT imply any form of approval of my company or its products by MSE"
  • I dont think you do understand at all. This is £193 less I have now for xmas through no fault of my own and probably down to your incompetence. I have never moved without either moving my supplier as well or making sure my account was up to date.



    As I have moved twice since then I no longer have any documentation to fight this issue so I can't provide any evidence. Its funny how Lowell can find out where I live straight away yet you couldnt and they say you intitially passed it it to a dfferent agency as well. By dragging ths out it makes sure the customer has no defence.



    You only have to look at your Facebook page to see what your customers think of you.
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