Shell letters saying I owe money- never been with them or associated companies

3 Posts

in Energy
Hey,
I am in process of purchasing a property and I've been informed by the seller that for the last few months he has been receiving letters from Shell energy addressed "owner/occupier". They are saying over 400£ is owed however he has never been with Shell or their associated companies.
There is no name and they don't have the serial number for the meter. Furthermore the one meter is on pay as you go ( with swalec) so he can't be in debt anyway.
My concern is Shell is not being helpful when he has called them and apparently they won't confirm he doesn't have an account even though they cannot provide any basic information regarding it. Understandably my solicitor wants this bottomed out but it's been going on for a while and I'm eager to get into the property and at present were both stuck.
Any advice on what he and I can do.
Thanks
I am in process of purchasing a property and I've been informed by the seller that for the last few months he has been receiving letters from Shell energy addressed "owner/occupier". They are saying over 400£ is owed however he has never been with Shell or their associated companies.
There is no name and they don't have the serial number for the meter. Furthermore the one meter is on pay as you go ( with swalec) so he can't be in debt anyway.
My concern is Shell is not being helpful when he has called them and apparently they won't confirm he doesn't have an account even though they cannot provide any basic information regarding it. Understandably my solicitor wants this bottomed out but it's been going on for a while and I'm eager to get into the property and at present were both stuck.
Any advice on what he and I can do.
Thanks
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The letters don't say you owe money, they say that a former occupant allegedly owes money.
It is possible to have debt on a PPM, but every bill should carry the s/n of the meter.
Swalec ceased operating as a supplier many years ago, it was bought by SSE, so now under OVO.
Check who is the registered supplier:
https://www.energynetworks.org/customers/find-my-network-operator
Make sure you register and request a new key or card on day one, as there may be debt on the meter that you will otherwise be paying off.
If once you are there, the letters continue to arrive, pop them back in the post to Shell with a note on the outside saying "sent in error - I have never been a Shell customer" if you don't feel comfortable simply popping them into the bin.
I'm give my conveyancer an email tomorrow asking for progression.
Request a smart meter and then you can have it changed from PPM to credit mode remotely. Otherwise you'll be charged for the change.