Co op energy chasing debt

squirehorse

My father recently went into residential Care so had his attendance allowance stopped etc. I was named on the energy account so I could discuss it (he has dementia). I am unable to clear the final bill of nearly £300 as his money has been stopped and the local authority are still assessing how much of his pension he needs to contribute. The energy company are saying it was My name on the account and I am Now liable for the bill (I paid the direct debit out of my bank account as dad didn’t have one suitable to use). They have been very rude and unhelpful and basically say if I don’t pay they will send debt collectors to my address (differently to my fathers but stupidly I have given it to them!) and use a TRACE if necessary. Can get they do this ? Also I made a call to them where they said they would take my name off the account and all correspondence will go to my dads former address. I’ve asked for a copy of this call numerous times and I haven’t had it (although they keep saying they will provide it!)

Gerry1

Did you put your father on the Priority Services Register?

If not, it's hardly surprising that the Co-Op expects you to settle the bill that's in your name, although they need to be polite and to maintain professional standards.

If they just waived the bills of everyone who said they're paying for a friend or relative they'd be losing squillions and their prices would have to rise, to the detriment of everyone else including the vulnerable.

twhitehousescat

I read it that the OP as been "named" in order to act for father due to health problems

NOT that the OP is the account holder

D_M_E

The above poster is most likely correct - I read it the same way, the OP had been added to the account with his father's permission simply in order to discuss the account on his dad's behalf and is therefore not liable for the debt (if any) as a result.

squirehorse should write to Co-Op and raise a complaint and tell them this and the reason why there is not yet anything to clear the debt and reiterate that the debt, if any, is not his/hers.

Cardew

D_M_E wrote: »

The above poster is most likely correct - I read it the same way, the OP had been added to the account with his father's permission simply in order to discuss the account on his dad's behalf and is therefore not liable for the debt (if any) as a result.

squirehorse should write to Co-Op and raise a complaint and tell them this and the reason why there is not yet anything to clear the debt and reiterate that the debt, if any, is not his/hers.

I hope you are correct in your interpretation, but I fear that post#2 is more likely to be correct.

I have written to energy companies on behalf of relatives. Also in a couple of different cases to inform them that the account holder had died.

However I have never been named on the account in those cases and to allow(unchallenged) that to happen is surely to accept responsibility for that account.

Streaky_Bacon

squirehorse wrote: »

Also I made a call to them where they said they would take my name off the account and all correspondence will go to my dads former address. I’ve asked for a copy of this call numerous times and I haven’t had it (although they keep saying they will provide it!)

Of at least equal importance would be the communication where you or your Dad requested to have you name listed against the account as somebody who could discuss with the supplier.

The details of that communication could show that the intent was for you to only be able to discuss, rather than taking liability for the account, regardless of the capacity in which the supplier actually added you.

Was that done over the phone also?

Jakubk

squirehorse wrote: »

My father recently went into residential Care so had his attendance allowance stopped etc. I was named on the energy account so I could discuss it (he has dementia). I am unable to clear the final bill of nearly £300 as his money has been stopped and the local authority are still assessing how much of his pension he needs to contribute. The energy company are saying it was My name on the account and I am Now liable for the bill (I paid the direct debit out of my bank account as dad didn’t have one suitable to use). They have been very rude and unhelpful and basically say if I don’t pay they will send debt collectors to my address (differently to my fathers but stupidly I have given it to them!) and use a TRACE if necessary. Can get they do this ? Also I made a call to them where they said they would take my name off the account and all correspondence will go to my dads former address. I’ve asked for a copy of this call numerous times and I haven’t had it (although they keep saying they will provide it!)

You need to take control of this situation, first call the ICO and put in a complaint for failure to promptly comply with a subject access request for the phone call.

Then once you have that you write to them disputing that fact that they have put the account in your name, you were acting in a support role for a man with dementia, NOT agreeing to take on his debt.

You do not have a contract with them, for it to be a contract the parties have to all agree to contract.

Debt collectors are nothing, do not let them in your house EVER, take the matter to the Ombudsman and then they have to go to Court at which point you dispute the debt.

Do not ignore anything, always reply and dispute, send your response to the Chief Exec of Co-Op, tell them to stop harassing you. They can seek a CCJ against your father, it will be worthless.