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Former Shell Energy Customer - Recently received Debt Collection letter despite being in credit

Hi all.

After nearly 2 years of multiple Shell Energy-related problems (Didn't keep Smart Meter appointment, messed up giving refund on credit balance, refused to update address on account, multiple attempts at putting Direct Debit amount up despite being in credit, all of these and more within just 2 years), I was happy that they were being bought out by Octopus and I would be moving to a supplier that seems to have good customer service ratings, along with a much better choice of rewards and alternative tariffs. However, Shell Energy decided they would mess with me one more time and I figured I'd post here to see if anyone else is having similar problems.

My account is now switched over to Octopus (With a credit balance at the time!) and I've recently moved to their Agile tariff as I'm able to shift usage outside of peak times. I rejoiced in the fact that I'd never have to deal with Shell Energy again.

However...

2 weeks ago I received a letter from LCS Debt Recovery. This letter was addressed to 'The Occupier, Flat (My flat number), (My Postcode)'. No other information on the address. Not even a street name or the name of the block of flats I live in. This letter informed me that my debt had been passed to LCS and asked me to log in on their website to arrange payment. There was no Shell Energy account number as reference, there was no detail of the amount owed or when it was accrued. Just a letter which asked me to contact them regarding an outstanding debt from Shell Energy.

Naturally, I then call up Shell Energy and force them to send an email confirming that as my account was in credit when they transferred me, I do not owe them any money (Even if my account was in debit, my understanding is that I would owe the money to Octopus and not to Shell Energy or LCS). After a 20 minute conversation going back and forth to explain this to Shell, I finally get an email from them to confirm this (Actually, the first email didn't confirm what I needed, so I ended up with 2 emails from Shell). 'Excellent', I think to myself, I can now send this to LCS and they can update their records.

A quick phonecall to LCS to get an email (LCS: "It should be the email on the letter we sent you." Me: "Umm, there isn't-" LCS: "Oh yeah, there isn't an e-mail address on that letter.") and I send them the email, asking for them to confirm back to me that they are not taking any further action. I'm not expecting anything further.

Today (2 weeks later), I receive an email asking for the following
-My full name (I signed off my original email using this)
-The address in question including postcode (This is the address I live at, and received the non-descriptively addressed letter to)
-My relation to the address
-My current address including postcode (Note this would be the same address)
-My date of birth
-Contact number

All of that 'Due to the Data Protection Act', so that they can 'make further contact with (me)'.
This is for money that they now have proof from Shell Energy that I do not owe and have never owed. I have emailed them back explaining that I do not need to supply 6 pieces of information for them to contact me to explain I do not owe them money. The more I type and think about this I start to think it sounds like a phishing scam if LCS were not a legitimate debt collection agency. 

So in short, Shell Energy have created a debt out of an account which was in credit, then sold that debt to a collection agency who now request 6 pieces of information before they can contact me, regardless of the fact that I do not (and have not ever) owed this debt. Any advice/sympathy would be welcome.

Comments

  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 17,334 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Without a name, they can do nothing. So unless you receive letters addressed to you in person, ignore and bin.
    Print out that email from Shell, and store it somewhere safe just in case. In the meantime, ignore LCS.
    Her courage will change the world.

    Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.
  • For avoidance of doubt, in future if responding to a letter of this type, never give any more information than the originator already holds about you.

    I almost wonder whether old Shell Energy debts have been sold where the debtor is no longer a customer, and this is a fishing trip to see if someone would just cave and pay them.
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  • fatbelly
    fatbelly Posts: 22,161 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Cashback Cashier
    edited 22 March 2024 am31 2:51AM
  • Hi all.

    After nearly 2 years of multiple Shell Energy-related problems......

    ....... Any advice/sympathy would be welcome.

    I leave the advice to other better experienced members.
    But a bucket full of sympathy from me.

    All my nightmares are from BritGas.
    But now having sweet dreams with Octopus.
    Wish you the same.



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