People’s energy

emmamm14

Help, having a nightmare! I’m getting hassled by credit style saying I owe money to peoples energy. I was paying by direct debit until October when they went bust and were taken over by British Gas. I’m now supposedly in debt to Peoples Energy even though I’m being billed for the same period my British Gas. I can barely afford to pay once never mind twice. What on earth do I do?

QrizB

Welcome to the forum.

When People's Energy went bust, were you in credit or debit?

nagi

Hello there,

I apologise if this is not the right place to put it, but I am also attempting to deal with CREDIT STYLE over an alleged debt with peoples energy.

I had hopped twice from PEOPLES ENERGY before they went under and was never contacted over arrears, nor was I contacted by the previous or next supplier when I left them. I think I can therefore rule out 'faulty equipment'.

Furthermore, and I saved the best until last, I apparently owe five hundred and one pounds plus change and most importantly;

I am a PRE-PAYMENT customer.

I have attempted to reach out to them (after all the error may have come via liquidators) but they do not publish an email address.

I managed to find one on their advertised services page tho

This has resulted in an email today with a gagging order of sorts;

This communication, and the information it contains, is (a) intended for the person(s) and/or organisation(s) to whom it is addressed and is for no other person(s) or organisation(s) and (b) may be confidential, legally privileged and protected by law, including law of copyright. Unauthorised use, copying, forwarding or disclosure of any of it may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please contact us immediately by telephone on our main office number. Calls may be recorded. Credit Style Limited is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for accounts formed under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (amended 2006) Registered Office: 5 Rutland Court, 161 Rutland Road, Sheffield, S3 9PP Registered number: 6133356 Registered in England and Wales

Needless to say, I have no desire to continue the dialogue. I too am a Son of Eve and they do not command me -

"Dieu et mon droit"

Any advice?

QrizB

nagi said:

Any advice?

That isn't a gagging order, it's a piece of boilerplate that you'll fond at the bottom of most corporate emails.

I think you need to send a "prove it" letter. See this link, read carefully and follow the instructions:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter

nagi

Thanks for the speedy reply,

I'm going to have to go through that link carefully. At a quick glance, it seems more for mistaken identity.

I did have an account with Peoples Energy. That much is correct.

Looking at the initial demand, it shows usage from 08/09/20 to 18/07/21.

However it only credits payments from 18/04/21 to 15/07/21

Maybe the problem is here.

Thanks

EssexHebridean

nagi said:

Thanks for the speedy reply,

I'm going to have to go through that link carefully. At a quick glance, it seems more for mistaken identity.

I did have an account with Peoples Energy. That much is correct.

Looking at the initial demand, it shows usage from 08/09/20 to 18/07/21.

However it only credits payments from 18/04/21 to 15/07/21

Maybe the problem is here.

Thanks

I wouldn't waste too much time in "going through it carefully" - it's the standard response to be sent when you think there is a decent chance that a DCA is "fishing" for an easy way of getting a debt repaid, whether the person they are chasing owes it or not.  And, most importantly, DON'T be tempted to alter it, or add personal information to it either! 

Ultimately, you KNOW you don't owe PE money because you were on prepayment, so you KNOW the debt is not yours. You could in fact simply ignore the fishing trip, but allowing that there is some connection between the dates they are looking for, and the dates you were PE's customer, it's probably most sensible to send the ProveIt. If they respond (they may not - and if they don't you do not need to chase them for a response) then post over on the Debt Free Wannabe  board where someone will be able to help.