Historic billing when no longer a customer

lisamc66

Hi Folks, Really hope someone here can help. My mother was a Scottish Power customer for years, had lots of issues with them. Notably them saying she was in credit by hundreds of pounds and then changing their mind and saying it was a faulty meter and replacing the meter. They did this at least twice. Due to this we switched her to a different supplier in October 2017 and she cleared her SP account. Now today, after 2 years not being a customer they emailed to say she has an outstanding balance and to contact them to settle. She doesn't even own the house anymore. Is this legal? Are they allowed to do this? As far as we knew the account was finalised and her supply transferred to another company. Thanks for reading.

onlyfoolsandparking

I don't know whether my answer is any help or not but IMO and if it were me I would just wait it out and see where they go with it. Anyone can demand anything from anybody, doesn't mean they have any legal right to anything.

I would want to see proof of any alleged outstanding debt before I made any decision on what my plan of action might be and I wouldn't be in any rush to contact them but that's just me, I don't scare or panic easily over alleged civil debt/s

Whether they are allowed to pursue you legally or not, well yes they can, as I said anyone can allege a debt, only a Court can make you legally pay it if its proved you owe it.

clochi

lisamc66 wrote: »

Hi Folks, Really hope someone here can help. My mother was a Scottish Power customer for years, had lots of issues with them. Notably them saying she was in credit by hundreds of pounds and then changing their mind and saying it was a faulty meter and replacing the meter. They did this at least twice. Due to this we switched her to a different supplier in October 2017 and she cleared her SP account. Now today, after 2 years not being a customer they emailed to say she has an outstanding balance and to contact them to settle. She doesn't even own the house anymore. Is this legal? Are they allowed to do this? As far as we knew the account was finalised and her supply transferred to another company. Thanks for reading.

What's the demand for if you believe the account was already settled in full?

gt94sss2

lisamc66 wrote: »

Hi Folks, Really hope someone here can help. My mother was a Scottish Power customer for years, had lots of issues with them. Notably them saying she was in credit by hundreds of pounds and then changing their mind and saying it was a faulty meter and replacing the meter. They did this at least twice. Due to this we switched her to a different supplier in October 2017 and she cleared her SP account. Now today, after 2 years not being a customer they emailed to say she has an outstanding balance and to contact them to settle. She doesn't even own the house anymore. Is this legal? Are they allowed to do this? As far as we knew the account was finalised and her supply transferred to another company. Thanks for reading.

As the period in question was more than 12 months ago, the energy company can’t chase your mother for any balance that may be due under the back billing rules set by the regulator.

See https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-backbilling-guide-your-rights

Cardew

gt94sss2 wrote: »

As the period in question was more than 12 months ago, the energy company can’t chase your mother for any balance that may be due under the back billing rules set by the regulator.

See https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-backbilling-guide-your-rights

That is on the assumption that the OP's mother has not already been billed for the amount claimed by Scottish Power and it has not been paid. Obviously SP will need to produce the bill/account as proof of debt. In that case the debt is valid for 6 years.


Some people(not gt94sss2) seem to think if you avoid paying a valid bill for 12 months, it is written off under the 12 month back-billing rule.




Incidentally under the Gas and Electricity Acts the company only have to prove a bill was sent i.e. not prove it was delivered to the correct person. AS the OP has moved, could it have been delivered to the old address and not forwarded?