Selling debt within one year of dispute

clairefromwork

I just wondered if energy companies are able to sell arrears to a debt collecting agency even if you have advised you will be going to the ombudsman following the outcome of a complaint? 

They advised we have 1 year to go to the ombudsman but have passed the debt over (went to one collection agency and now onto another one)

I would have thought they should wait for the ombudsman’s outcome first so wait at least one year before passing debts on? 

Many thanks 

FreeBear

Have you actually gone to the ombudsman yet ?

If not, then they can pretty much do what they like with the debt.

clairefromwork

Not yet. 

Thank you, I thought the complaint went into a holding status if going to the ombudsman pending investigation. 

Just wanted to check they could sell it to another party. 

Thanks for confirming. 

Curiousgirl1

clairefromwork said:

Not yet. 

Thank you, I thought the complaint went into a holding status if going to the ombudsman pending investigation. 

Just wanted to check they could sell it to another party. 

Thanks for confirming. 

The complaint would be closed as a deadlock & nothing else done until the energy company heard from the ombudsman.