Energy supplier sent incorrect final bill £500 too high - and then went bust!

FreeBear

JohnTravoltage said: To avoid debt collection hassles, if I were to pay up the full amount that they've computed while I pursue my complaint, will the excess amount be refunded (as it would be with a credit balance) or would this go into the black hole where unsecured creditors debts go to die when companies go into administration?

I was with Toto the clowns, and managed to switch supplier the day they went bust. The final bill was a joke (as to be expected), and full of errors. EDF took over responsibility for collecting, but still haven't managed to provide an accurate final bill. They don't even respond to complaints/queries... No sign of debt collectors, so I figure EDF are not too bothered.

JohnTravoltage

@FreeBear in my case, I had left TE many months ago, and switched to another supplier and then left them, too, and have even moved out of the property in question. 

So it wasn't an active supply contract and SOLR (British Gas) will not be in the picture in my case (I think). I think it would just be the administrators dealing with historical mess like this. 

EssexHebridean

JohnTravoltage said:

@EssexHebridean I do owe them some money, but much much lower than what they say I owe. Their bill is hundreds of £ higher.

So basically send a cheque for what I think I owe with the letter explaining my computation?

I'd be inclined to do so - as long as you are reasonably confident that your sums are going to be within a +/-5% tolerance on what is actually owed. (It may be that if in doubt posting details in this thread would enable others to double check for you, too). Don't forget that "further to the above, cheque enclosed in the sum of £xx.xx in full and final settlement of the above account" either - that might be important down the line. Keep a copy of your letter, and get a (free) certificate of posting from the PO when you send it, too. 

MWT

EssexHebridean said:

Don't forget that "further to the above, cheque enclosed in the sum of £xx.xx in full and final settlement of the above account" either - that might be important down the line. Keep a copy of your letter, and get a (free) certificate of posting from the PO when you send it, too. 

That doesn't really work unless they are careless, and of course they may be careless...

EssexHebridean

MWT said:

EssexHebridean said:

Don't forget that "further to the above, cheque enclosed in the sum of £xx.xx in full and final settlement of the above account" either - that might be important down the line. Keep a copy of your letter, and get a (free) certificate of posting from the PO when you send it, too. 

That doesn't really work unless they are careless, and of course they may be careless...

Yes, that was my thought process, too!

JohnTravoltage

EssexHebridean said:

JohnTravoltage said:

@EssexHebridean I do owe them some money, but much much lower than what they say I owe. Their bill is hundreds of £ higher.

So basically send a cheque for what I think I owe with the letter explaining my computation?

I'd be inclined to do so - as long as you are reasonably confident that your sums are going to be within a +/-5% tolerance on what is actually owed. (It may be that if in doubt posting details in this thread would enable others to double check for you, too). Don't forget that "further to the above, cheque enclosed in the sum of £xx.xx in full and final settlement of the above account" either - that might be important down the line. Keep a copy of your letter, and get a (free) certificate of posting from the PO when you send it, too. 

Pretty sure it's accurate to within pennies . I've spent hours trawling through my meter readings, their tariffs and computing my bill. 

Have asked TE for their complaints procedure but yet to hear back from them. If all else fails perhaps a cheque in the post or failing that, small claims I guess. What a bother. 

MWT

JohnTravoltage said:

Have asked TE for their complaints procedure but yet to hear back from them. If all else fails perhaps a cheque in the post or failing that, small claims I guess. What a bother. 

The 'small claims' process isn't a route for you unless you pay what they are asking, but I would seriously not recommend that as any award you get is just going to be placed at the end of a very long queue for very little money as an unsecured creditor of a company in administration...

MWT

JohnTravoltage said:

There doesn't seem to be any public info on the administrators for Together Energy, but would really appreciate any information

Here you go...

https://www.creditstrategy.co.uk/news/news-top-stories/together-energy-appoints-administrators-20873

JohnTravoltage

MWT said:

JohnTravoltage said:

Have asked TE for their complaints procedure but yet to hear back from them. If all else fails perhaps a cheque in the post or failing that, small claims I guess. What a bother. 

The 'small claims' process isn't a route for you unless you pay what they are asking, but I would seriously not recommend that as any award you get is just going to be placed at the end of a very long queue for very little money as an unsecured creditor of a company in administration...

Crumbs. So it looks like they can mess up my credit score pursuing me with an incorrect bill, but I don't have any recourse against them. 

I hope they still have a complaints process worth the name and can rectify this

MWT

JohnTravoltage said:

MWT said:

JohnTravoltage said:

Have asked TE for their complaints procedure but yet to hear back from them. If all else fails perhaps a cheque in the post or failing that, small claims I guess. What a bother. 

The 'small claims' process isn't a route for you unless you pay what they are asking, but I would seriously not recommend that as any award you get is just going to be placed at the end of a very long queue for very little money as an unsecured creditor of a company in administration...

Crumbs. So it looks like they can mess up my credit score pursuing me with an incorrect bill, but I don't have any recourse against them. 

I hope they still have a complaints process worth the name and can rectify this

Check on the 'debt-free' forum for advice on the 'prove it' letter if it gets to the point where they are making threatening noises or get debt collectors involved.