Debt Collection Email

julesm1961

I’ve received an email out the blue from a debt collection agency called Barratt Smith & Brown, who are legit as I googled the company.
They are requesting money from an old Together Energy account. But I transferred to Shell in April 2021.
Have a feeling this may be a scam, as reviews of the company are bad.
I recall having an issue with Together Energy, but I’m certain it was settled, but it was that long ago I have no recall of figures, letters etc
Any help appreciated

MattMattMattUK

julesm1961 said:

I’ve received an email out the blue from a debt collection agency called Barratt Smith & Brown, who are legit as I googled the company.
They are requesting money from an old Together Energy account. But I transferred to Shell in April 2021.
Have a feeling this may be a scam, as reviews of the company are bad.
I recall having an issue with Together Energy, but I’m certain it was settled, but it was that long ago I have no recall of figures, letters etc
Any help appreciated

Send them a prove it letter. 

rich2ell

Hi I'm in the same boat.

I just got an email today too

I transferred to GoToEnergy in July 2021.

I paid by DD and never missed a payment then in Oct 2021 I had MYCRS collection text me about outstanding money.
I later settled this (I think together energy we not good with finances and billing)
Now BSAB are wanting to collect another full months energy payment.

Their phone lines are jammed, I'm emailing them (at: info@thebsbco.com) and requesting a full breakdown of my account that needs to include the previous payment to MYCRS.

brewerdave

Together Energy had probably the worst accounting system in the UK energy market (and that's saying something!).
They were very bad at recording payments made and actual meter reads, even before they tried to switch their system over to a new platform.
Ex customers have received refunds that weren't due ,whilst others (as per the last two posters) are being chased by BSB who were "appointed" by the administrators to chase up supposed debts. 

Swipe

Always keep your final bills, folks, just in case one of these lands on your door mat.

FreeBear

Do a search on this forum for "BSB Scam" - They had a data breach a while back, and a number of people have been getting bogus emails trying to elicit money from them.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6322778/solarplicity-debt-collection-scam (just one example)

Rtj123

MattMattMattUK said:

julesm1961 said:

I’ve received an email out the blue from a debt collection agency called Barratt Smith & Brown, who are legit as I googled the company.
They are requesting money from an old Together Energy account. But I transferred to Shell in April 2021.
Have a feeling this may be a scam, as reviews of the company are bad.
I recall having an issue with Together Energy, but I’m certain it was settled, but it was that long ago I have no recall of figures, letters etc
Any help appreciated

Send them a prove it letter. 

Can you explain this please? I’ve had the same email today saying I owe £1600…

Brie

@Rtj123 @rich2ell

A prove it letter is one where you write (snail mail, I believe, for preference having checked you have the correct address rather than reply on the email) and say "prove to me what I owe and why".  Keep it short and simple.  Don't get into a long thing about "I know I had an issue and I "think" I paid everything."  Just let them provide the information and that they have the right to collect anything that is actually owed.  If they respond you can take it from there.  I'd keep the "proof of posting" from the post office (not need for anything more, registered or whatever not required)

Don't ring them as you don't want them to have your phone number.  They've got an email address but until you know it's legit I wouldn't be using it to reply to them at all.  (maybe that's just me.)

helly202682

Hi,

I have also received an email yesterday informing me I owed £1700 to together energy. I do have an email from them together energy which states the close of the account was closed in credit. 

Thank you for the post and comments as it really eased the stress of getting this email. i have taken the advice not to call them but to send a 'prove it' letter.

Will keep you informed if it will help anyone else.

heggers0503

Another one who has been emailed by BSB. Spoke to Citizen's Advice Bureau this morning who advised the following:

1. Contact BSB and inform them of the issue and that they give you time to contact the administrator to find out where this amount has come from. 
2. Raise a complaint with the administrator (in the case of Together Energy its FRP Advisory and you want to contact the Newcastle office, phone number on their website under locations).
3. If the administrators reject the complaint and proceed with enforcement, escalate to the Insolvency Service.
4. If things escalate further to reach out to your local Citizen's Advice for debt and legal advice.

This is what they told me, they may or may not tell you the same. Yet to hear back or receive confirmation of the email from BSB but I advised them that the account was closed in credit back in 2021 with a refund provided. I advised this to FRP who said that should be enough information and BSB have been sending out a lot of these demands the last few days (made it very clear to the person I spoke to what I thought of BSB and the amount of stress it has caused me).

FRP did advise to contact BSB (hate typing that name now) stating the account closure which will require them to investigate further. Also suggested the reason for these charges is because Together Energy might not have closed the account correctly when I switched providers. However at this point its really on them to prove I owe anything and provide the receipts. Fingers crossed to everyone who is having to deal with these individuals that they're able to resolve it to their benefit! 

riversidewood

i too have had email from BSB; i replied to the given reply email address same day, not heard anything. Was going to call today but now won't after post above.
Can anyone supply a template letter for the "prove it letter" mentioned above??
Would make it really easy for us all to add in our own details and send it off? Thanks in advance