Advice on dealing with Scottish Power & debt collection agency

CursedChicken

Hi all, I'm after some advice on the best course of action for this;

I moved into my property around 18 months ago and signed up with Octopus Energy for my gas and elec.

About 4 months ago I received a bill (just addressed to occupier/owner) from Scottish Power. I ignored the first one but received subsequent bills demanding money with the threat of debt collection.

I contacted them through their online chat (I have the transcript saved) where I explained that I am not a customer of theirs, I have never been a customer of theirs, that I am with another energy supplier and I am up to date with all my bills.

I also told them that I am aware that I am not liable for outstanding monies owed prior to me owning the property (information obtained through Citizens Advice).

They ended the chat with the promise that the matter is sorted and I would receive no further communication from them. However, today I received a letter from a debt collection agency (again just addressed to the owner/occupier) demanding payment.

What's my next step?

EssexHebridean

Did you initially register with Scottish Power before registering with Octopus, assuming that SP were the supplier at the property when you moved in?

If not, then I'd guess that SP are chasing money due to them in the period between when you moved in and when Octopus took the supply, but it would be worth checking that is the case before engaging, as it could equally just be a fishing trip. 

Gerry1

Welcome to the forum.

Who was the existing supplier when you took control of the property?  Did you register with them and provide opening meter readings?

If not, then you are liable for usage and standing charges until Octopus took over.

If debt collection action is taken against you it may damage your credit rating.

CursedChicken

I never registered with Scottish Power or provided them any info, I registered with Octopus Energy as soon as the sale completed and I got the keys.

jlfrs01

CursedChicken said:

I never registered with Scottish Power or provided them any info, I registered with Octopus Energy as soon as the sale completed and I got the keys.

It's a common mistake - switches aren't instantaneous from the date of instruction, you still need to pay the incumbent supplier (in this case Scottish Power) for the energy consumed up to the date Octopus took over the supply which can be several weeks or in my own case - nearly 5 months. This would be the same case if you moved from Octopus to another provider.

CursedChicken

I will contact Octopus to find out when they actually took over ( I have been paying them from the date I got the keys, so I may need to chase them if I've double paid).

The billing date on the bill from Scottish Power begins long before the sale was completed (the bill is over £300) so, according to Citizens Advice I shouldn't pay any monies outstanding prior to the sale completing.

Brie

So they are billing you for use (by you or someone else) that occurred more than 12 months back??  I thought that was against the back billing rules.  Obviously you shouldn't need to pay for anything prior to you taking ownership but you'd need to prove what your opening reading was so that that bit can be passed to the right person.  

Scot_39

Suggest you need to actually establish exactly what the original bill SP have now released to the debt agents was for - amounts and exact dates etc.

Their may be double billing going on - money you have already paid Octopus - or at least think you have.

You need to establish whether the initial debt they are pursuing is in any way - actually yours - or for that actual meter - including say usage for days after previous occupiers closed their account.

(Some landlords have fallen foul of poor lease contract wording and a similar failure to provide day 1 readings - leaving them on hook to suppliers - and having to pursue tennants at own cost (or more likely write off debt))

I suspect your failure to register with SP as the deemed supplier - and also provide SP with day 1 readings - could well have led to issues over the transfer.

Your belief it shouldn't be is just that - it's not the debt collection agencies - and a standard customer service rep chat - is unlikely I fear to resolve that mismatch.

You could for instance ask SP to release that info - if you havent got copies of the bill.

Worst case - you may well have to challange the debt agency - to prove the debt is yours.  Some are not all they claim - and so need to be verey careful about disclosing any info - but IIRC they cannot pursue a debt action through e.g. courts - with the ability to prove liability.

There are template letters elsewhere in the forum - to approach that if needed - I have never had to.

CursedChicken

After some initial checking, I completed the purchase on 30/05/22, my welcome letter from Octopus Energy states they will supply from 17/06/22 (I will speak to them to confirm).

I didn't occupy the property until around 22/06/22 but understand I am liable for the standing charges (and maybe nominal usage) between 30/05 and 17/06. 

Gerry1

Yes, you're liable for all usage and standing charges from the date of completion.

You may also be responsible for debt collection agency charges.

CursedChicken

I have spoken to Octopus Energy and they have confirmed that they were already the supplier to the property when I moved in.

I have had no dealings with SP at all until I received the bill nearly 18 months after moving in.

I have contacted SP via email detailing everything, provided exact dates and listed the evidence I have (completion letter for the sale of the property, correspondence with Octopus Energy, the transcript of my initial contact with SP to resolve the matter).

I have also sent a copy of the email to Citizens Advice and am aware I can contact the Energy Ombudsman after 56 days.