Debt Collectors chasing a time-barred debt

M_Dawson

Dear Forum Users, I’ve already posted this on the consumer rights forum this morning but love have been advised to post it on the Water Bills Forum so my issue is more focused.

“I’m trying to reach out in the hope someone can help in what’s now become a very distressing situation.

Basically, I’m being intimidated, threatened and harassed by a firm of debt collectors who are trying to collect a debt from a water company for an address I have not lived at for more than a decade. The first letter appeared out of the blue and the debt date refers to a more recent period which looks very very suspicious indeed (dated 8 years since I left). I’ve politely responded in writing with evidence that I was not a resident at the old address and have mentioned the time-barred period which they are completely ignoring.

I’ve politely written back providing evidence of not living that at the old address at the time of debt but they’ve now come back stating a contract does exist and they want me to provide them with tenancy cessation agreements, council tax or mortgage detail, all of which I do not have.

They’ve given me 21 days to come up with the goods otherwise they will continue to instigate their threats.

Could someone please please point me in the right direction as I don’t know how to fend off these wolves who seem to think I’m still under contract to pay for quite clearly something that’s got absolutely nothing to do with me whatsoever. I know I’m in the right here, I just don’t know what to say or how to respond. Very distressing.

Maybe I should contact the water company, the Financial Conduct Authority or the energy ombudsman?”

In addition to this and in response to some very very kind replies thus far, I can confirm 100% that I do not admit liability whatsoever in respect of this matter and I have no idea whatsoever what the current status of the property is as everything was over 10 years ago. 

QrizB

M_Dawson said:

Dear Forum Users, I’ve already posted this on the consumer rights forum this morning but love have been advised to post it on the Water Bills Forum so my issue is more focused.

Sorry to hear of your problems.

Despite being pointed over here, the best place for this is probably "Debt-free wannabe" where you'll find useful template letters for "Statute barred debts" and "Prove it".

You probably want the first of those two; read the thread and then, if it's appropriate, send the letter.

And good luck!

Manxman_in_exile

@QrizB -  thanks.  It was me who directed the OP here!  Didn't think of Debt free wannabe.

Sorry @M_Dawson  

Manxman_in_exile

QrizB said:

M_Dawson said:

Dear Forum Users, I’ve already posted this on the consumer rights forum this morning but love have been advised to post it on the Water Bills Forum so my issue is more focused.

Sorry to hear of your problems.

Despite being pointed over here, the best place for this is probably "Debt-free wannabe" where you'll find useful template letters for "Statute barred debts" and "Prove it".

You probably want the first of those two; read the thread and then, if it's appropriate, send the letter.

And good luck!

Apologies again but I'm not sure the OP has given the full story here? 

Although the thread is headed "time-barred debt", he has said on the other thread that the debt collectors are actually claiming that the debt in question is less than three years old.  Not sure if that makes a difference to any advice here regarding challenging a statute barred debt and whether he just needs advice about challenging a water debt?

Brie

Manxman_in_exile said:

QrizB said:

M_Dawson said:

Dear Forum Users, I’ve already posted this on the consumer rights forum this morning but love have been advised to post it on the Water Bills Forum so my issue is more focused.

Sorry to hear of your problems.

Despite being pointed over here, the best place for this is probably "Debt-free wannabe" where you'll find useful template letters for "Statute barred debts" and "Prove it".

You probably want the first of those two; read the thread and then, if it's appropriate, send the letter.

And good luck!

Apologies again but I'm not sure the OP has given the full story here? 

Although the thread is headed "time-barred debt", he has said on the other thread that the debt collectors are actually claiming that the debt in question is less than three years old.  Not sure if that makes a difference to any advice here regarding challenging a statute barred debt and whether he just needs advice about challenging a water debt?

Agree it doesn't appear to be time barred.  But the OP states above that it was 8 years after they moved out which could be 3 years back possibly?  

And how does prove one doesn't owe a bill, didn't live somewhere??  Easy to prove you do than you don't.  So I guess it may end up being a case of providing a bill from their currrent (as in 3 years ago) water company?  Unless the advice is to simply say "prove it or get stuffed".

QrizB

Brie said:

... Unless the advice is to simply say "prove it or get stuffed".

That's what the "prove it" letter is for.

The people pursuing the debt need to prove that you owe it. You don't need to prove that you don't, other than to refute any evidence they might present.