Water bill in my name?

Calam21

My partner deals with paying all the house bills...I moved into my current property over 1 year ago from a previous property I was renting. But I recently received a themes water bill in my name (the address was written strangely) it had my previous address on letter and letter said that I owe themes water money even tho I have never had a themes water account in my name. I searched the number on letter on Google and it not TW official number and another site flagged it as a scam..and the Lett said if I don't pay it will affect my credit score.
 What should I do?

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

Firstly check with Thames Water by phoning them on 0800 316 9800 (it is a freephone number) and ask them about the letter.

It is possible that there is an outstanding bill on your previous property, and the owner/tenant/letting agent has given Thames Water your new address.

After a year Thames might have passed the case to a Debt Collection Agency(DCA). Do not deal with the DCA they are not interested in the merits of the case they just want money.

Calam21

No water bill was fully paid before leaving also the account number is different to one registered to my partner

Calam21

I got my partner to check and it was paid in full then account was transferred to new address.. could someone be do fraud in my name?

JJ_Egan

(themes water bill in my name (the address was written strangely)

Yes could be fraud   .

Is it Themes water  = fraud or Thames Water .

Calam21

JJ_Egan said:

(themes water bill in my name (the address was written strangely)

Yes could be fraud   .

Is it Themes water  = fraud or Thames Water .

Thames Water

Cardew

Calam21 said:

I got my partner to check and it was paid in full then account was transferred to new address.. could someone be do fraud in my name?

You cannot transfer a water account to your new address. The account is closed at your old address and a new account opened at your new address.

There are several possibilities other than fraud; I am assuming it was a metered bill.

Although your partner paid the bill in full, it is possible that even your 'final bill' might be based on an estimated meter reading. The new tenant/owner/letting agent might have disputed that meter reading and Thames water raised another bill for your partner.

You say you got a new bill but was it a proper Thames water bill with meter number and meter readings? or a letter? As it has taken a year for you, to get this letter, and it threatens that your credit score will be affected, it seems highly likely that it is a Debt Collection Agency(DCA) getting involved. As I said in my first post do not deal with the DCA phone Thames Water on 0800 316 9800 (it is a freephone number)

freesha

Cardew said:

Calam21 said:

I got my partner to check and it was paid in full then account was transferred to new address.. could someone be do fraud in my name?

You cannot transfer a water account to your new address. The account is closed at your old address and a new account opened at your new address.

Actually, this is wrong. Severn Trent will, where possible, move your old account with you to your new address.

So it's more than possible that TW do this too

Calam21

Cardew said:

Calam21 said:

I got my partner to check and it was paid in full then account was transferred to new address.. could someone be do fraud in my name?

You cannot transfer a water account to your new address. The account is closed at your old address and a new account opened at your new address.

There are several possibilities other than fraud; I am assuming it was a metered bill.

Although your partner paid the bill in full, it is possible that even your 'final bill' might be based on an estimated meter reading. The new tenant/owner/letting agent might have disputed that meter reading and Thames water raised another bill for your partner.

You say you got a new bill but was it a proper Thames water bill with meter number and meter readings? or a letter? As it has taken a year for you, to get this letter, and it threatens that your credit score will be affected, it seems highly likely that it is a Debt Collection Agency(DCA) getting involved. As I said in my first post do not deal with the DCA phone Thames Water on 0800 316 9800 (it is a freephone number)

The letter just says notice of further action with previous address  and amount it say will go to debt agency if not paid... there a account number but no meter number or meter reading. It the second letter I have received..
I checked my credit score (using clear score) and it on there and it looks to show that 6 payments where made in 2020 (not by me)
I partner check here water account and everything shows up to date. She looked back all the way up to 2019. Also Thames water letters usually comes address to my partner. So this bit confusing

What should I do.

Cardew

Calam21 said:

The letter just says notice of further action with previous address  and amount it say will go to debt agency if not paid... there a account number but no meter number or meter reading. It the second letter I have received..
I checked my credit score (using clear score) and it on there and it looks to show that 6 payments where made in 2020 (not by me)
I partner check here water account and everything shows up to date. She looked back all the way up to 2019. Also Thames water letters usually comes address to my partner. So this bit confusing

What should I do.

You have to contact Thames Water and explain the situation from your perspective.

If someone has paid 6 months of payments in 2020. It could be that an outstanding bill was left by tenant/owner and somehow your name has been given to Thames Water as responsible.

Cardew

freesha said:

Cardew said:

Calam21 said:

I got my partner to check and it was paid in full then account was transferred to new address.. could someone be do fraud in my name?

You cannot transfer a water account to your new address. The account is closed at your old address and a new account opened at your new address.

Actually, this is wrong. Severn Trent will, where possible, move your old account with you to your new address.

So it's more than possible that TW do this to

You appear to be saying an account number is allocated to the individual and not the property? and that account number moves with you from property to property? I have occupied three properties in the Severn Trent area and each time I I had a new account?

I have just checked with my son who moved houses(both as an owner) within the Severn Trent area last year. He updated his details on the Severn Trent website when moving, however he had a final bill for his old house(sent to his new address) which he settled, and got a different account number for his new house with dates, and meter number. Severn Trent used his bank details he used for his old house.

So are you stating that an account holder moving within Severn Trent area retains the same account number for the new house?

This is an extract from Severn Trent's Website on 'moving home'

Already a customer?

If you're already one of our customers and you're moving, you can let us know by completing our online form:

• When letting us know about your move, you will need to provide:
• Your account number (printed at the top of your bill)
• Your new address
• The date you're moving out
• The meter reading of your property (if the property is metered)
• Your contact details

Before you move out

If your property is metered, please provide a water meter reading on the day you move out. Once we have all the details of your move, we'll send you a closing bill statement within six working days.

You can give us your meter reading in our moving home form. You can let us know the forwarding address for your final bill at the same time.

My understanding, and I may well be wrong, is that you do not transfer an account when moving.