Question about backbilling?

Streaky_Bacon

There is never any guarantee that debt collectors will stop collection activity. They, like everybody else, will do whatever they think they can get away with.

However, if you have denied a debt, and they continue collection without properly investigating, then you may be able to complain to the financial ombudsman.

They key issue is denying that the debt is owed, because, quite simply the bills are for a meter that is not yours. The supplier has sent you a new bill with the correct meter, and you can show that the reading on that bill if for the incorrect meter.

The latter bit is important, because they might try to say that all the old readings are correct, bu they just put the wrong meter number on the bill. This is why you should get visual evidence that the latest bill reading is from the wrong meter.

If they continue trying to claim for a bill based on a meter that is clearly not yours, then they are eventually going to come unstuck.

So, lay that all out for them, tell them to properly review it and to leave you alone until they have a response. Tell them that if they wish to continue enforcement that they should send you all evidence that they intend to rely upon to prove the debt. Mention also that you will escalate to the energy and financial ombudsman if the matter is not dealt with.

Just send it off and try to forget about it until you have a response. These kinds of situations can be all consuming, but just try to see it as a process that has to be followed. Just remind yourself that they are trying to enforce a bill for a meter that you can show is not yours.

With regards to the original complaint, you should appeal, pointing out very clearly the mistake they have made. Even if they do still believe that he supplier is correct, that won't change the fact that you have been, and continue to be, billed for the wrong meter.

With regards to eventually trying to send you a bill and how they would calculate that, I would say it is too complicated right now to predict, so just await the outcome of your complaint.

In theory, the longer they take to sort this out the less energy they will be able to bill you for.

[Deleted User]

Original complaint now on appeal with Ombudsman and being looked into by Senior Officer.

Other complaint about using readings from the wrong meter not yet been responded to.

[Deleted User]

You know, it is so unfair that because two energy suppliers screw up ECOES that it's considered that your decision to switch from one to the other doesn't come into the equation.

It's what ECOES shows, even though it was corrupt at the time, pure and simple.

And this all happened in 2010 and has only come to light now.

Doesn't affect the back billing debacle though.

[Deleted User]

OK, another question based on all this.

If the alleged debt of over 28 days is using readings from another properties meter, (for 25 months).

Can I still switch supplier as the alleged debt is wrong?

[Deleted User]

Still ongoing...
If it does end up that the switch is declared null and void and I pay the original supplier for energy used from 2017, does that mean that because the second supplier has never been my supplier they have to refund all payments made to them from 2010?
I assume that the original supplier will then have to pay the actual distribution network operator from 2010, and the second supplier will be able to claim back money paid to the distribution network operator from 2010?