More ex-Simplicity nonsense - incorrect demand for payment

ratechaser

So I've just had a demand for payment by a DCA called Credit Style - the amount does match that of my final Simplicity invoice at the end of January, but ignores the amount that was taken as a DD at the start of Feb, which means that I am actually in credit.

I'm intending to dispute this (in writing) but am wondering if anyone else is in the same boat, and also if it might just be easier to claim the final payment back under the DD guarantee and pay these cowboys what they are asking for?

Thoughts and suggestions welcomed. 

Ectophile

I'm intending to dispute this (in writing) but am wondering if anyone else is in the same boat, and also if it might just be easier to claim the final payment back under the DD guarantee and pay these cowboys what they are asking for?

That would only complicate things even more.  Stick to your guns.  Tell the debt collection agency that the bill is disputed.  Dispute the bill with Simplicity.

Oneye12

Credit Style are not a DCA even though they act like one .. they also go out of their way to prevent you from communicating with them.

As above - go back and dispute with Simplicity

ratechaser

Thanks both - wasn't aware that Simplicity were still directly contactable but have shot them an email at their old customer service address, not bounced back yet so let's see if that sorts it out.

Interesting that there was over a week between them ceasing trading and the administrator being appointed - and during that period was when my payment was taken. At least Ofgem assert that all money is protected as I don't want this to have disappeared into the black hole of an insolvent company...

julia817

I’ve just had a demand come from these people - I never stopped my dd - I’ve also never had a final bill
(I’ve tried logging on but just directs me to British Gas) I have had a British Gas bill which I would have through transferred everything to them? 

brewerdave

julia817 said:

I’ve just had a demand come from these people - I never stopped my dd - I’ve also never had a final bill
(I’ve tried logging on but just directs me to British Gas) I have had a British Gas bill which I would have through transferred everything to them? 

If you were in credit with Simplicity then that would have transferred to BG BUT if in debt then the administrators of Simplicity would be expecting settlement . Make sure that they supply you with a final bill, and check that the dates and meter readings are correct , before paying anything.

keithfm

We had a Final Bill from Simplicity which we paid. After 6 weeks we received a demand for a further payment from Credit Style. Well firstly this is wrong, and would be thrown out at the Small Claims court. To receive a credit agency demand without an initial bill or request from the original company and giving time to pay isn’t correct. Secondly we were told the Administrator FRP don’t have access to Simplicity’s records so don’t actually know if additional demands are correct and shouldn’t be just blindingly instructing the credit agency. Also for the first time we were able to access our readings online. They were spectacularly bizarre! we are on a Smart Meter yet there was a range of entries labelled Actual, Estimated & Customer. There was four final Bills! One had all the data reversed. You need to get all your data off the website and filter through it. They withdrew the demand. We found we’ve been overcharged because we went from BGE back to Octopus and they had comparative data from previous years proving the readings were bogus.