Gas Bill Wrong - How to Stop Debt Collection Until Resolved

VickyN

I have been receiving and paying my gas bill every three months and giving meter readings each time so it has been paid up to date. It was up to date in April (with my meter reading).

Scottish Power sent me a bill for £880 which had been backdated from February 2019 to July 2020 but didn't include £650 worth of payments I had made during that period, as far as I'm concerned I owe them £230.

I should only owe for gas used since April. I queried this and gave them a new meter reading. Since then I have spoken to customer services 5 times, each time saying they would produce a new bill or get in touch and they haven't.

In the meantime their debt collection department has been phoning, texting, emailing me every day.  I have spoken to them several times, each time they note down the situation but carry on calling, texting etc.  They have now escalated the debt and have written to say they will send someone round (at my expense) and if I don't pay they will put in a prepayment meter against my will.

Is there any way I can force them to stop the debt collection process while the bill is in dispute? A part payment won't get them off my back, they want it al. If I pay them to get them off my backs I'll never get the £650 and I know I will end up having to take them to court to get it back.

I just need to get the debt collection side off my back so that they can sort out the mistake.

bradders1983

Pay them the £230 in the meantime, and if they take you to court produce evidence for the £650 of payments and you will win, job done.

MWT

Send in a written complaint.

welshmoneylover

Are the bills based on actual reads? Can you scan a copy of your latest bill so we can take a look at it for you as something isn’t right somewhere 

dogshome

FORGET THE PHONE - Write a letter headed Complaint and post it by Royal mail and get a FREE certificate of postage.

Set out the history and remind them that 'Harassment' is actionable in law

stewie_griffin

Are you sure the balance doesn't include your payments. It's uncommon for payments to appear again on an amended bill, but that doesn't mean they've not been taken in to consideration. What where the meter readings at the start and end of the period in dispute and what was the unit price you were paying.

m-holland

Also lets not forget that Scottish Power are generally incompetent

PixelPound

MWT said:

Send in a written complaint.

This. You need to get a complaint raised and they have to acknowledge that they are dealing with it.