Being taking to court for extortionate Gas and Electric bill - please help.

Robin9

@LuisDiaz   As you have been finding out dealing with Customer Services is generally frustrating, often inadequate and sometimes blatantly wrong.   Your call will not get escalated and promised return calls from other departments do not happen.

I would not have the patience to stay on  the end of a phone for 2 hours.
 
Having lodged a complaint yesterday follow that up in writing, email or snail-mail, headed COMPLAINT.   Include the basics of account numbers   , ask specific questions,  keep emotions out of it.  Your letter should be short and to the point and ask for a substantive response.

born_again

BarelySentientAI said:

Do you think if two payments were taken and then reversed, this might cause the DD to be cancelled by someone's system?

Not really as it depends on the reason for the reversal.
Main reason would be that there was not enough funds in the account to pay the DD. Which should not cause a DD to be cancelled at either end.

Wonder if this is another botched transfer from old to BG new system that has gone wrong. 
Given the number of cases being posted here, wonder how many have reached Ofgem & why they have not investigated this issue, as FCA would any financial institution if the same happened.

jimjames

LuisDiaz said:

jimjames said:

LuisDiaz said:

I just don't understand how they have made such a huge bill and taken this to court...especially when they set me up on a new payment plan earlier this year... and which was because they had moved to me to a new system which cancelled the previous plan and DD. 

Another question, have you not had any communication from BG until that court letter? It seems very unusual to get to that stage without any attempt at collections or contact to advise next steps

Yes, in January this year, I contacted them and that's when they informed me they had moved me to a new system which they said had cancelled the DD automatically.

A phone call when you contacted them isn't the sort of collections process they should be doing. They should have a process where they write and/or email you to inform you of the debt and the procedure to pay it. Have you not received any formal communication from BG regarding this debt until the court letter? With everything that was going on last year could you have missed the emails or letters? They don't normally pass to court/debt collection without going through a lot of hoops first.

LuisDiaz

hi all
quick update and my notes will be rough, pls excuse me.

another day spent on calls (few more hours)

BG never called back again.

I called them and again was cut off a few more times.

eventually spoke to someone helpful.

BG have now ''recalled the debt collection agency'' which apparently means the debt recovery is cancelled and the agency have ''accepted'' this too. I asked for a written confirmation which I have to hand now (email).

I also called the recovery agency, they claimed they couldn't see any recall from BG.
I asked for a 3 way call ...they refused but did call BG...and confirmed BG have recalled it. but said they cant stop/cancel court proceedings ??

BG investigating the rest. Another complaint raised on the phone and followup email sent.

This has caused me a great deal of stress and dark moments. 

Is there anything else I should do ?

And I would like to say...thank you to every single one of you.x

Robin9

I don't think you've responded to the court yet.

Do so - in writing, a proper snail mail -and enclose the email you've now got from BG.  No need for any detail -  just acknowledge the court letter.



PS I seem to recall you asking why your consumptions were so high.  That answer lies in the size of the house - 5 bed semi - and the number of occupants - 8 (and 3 under 9)  I doubt there are many comparable houses to give a typical use but I would guess you could expect 6,000 kWh of electric and 25,000 kWh of gas..    .   

LuisDiaz

In regards to responding to the claim form, do I simply attach the letter from BG who have confirmed in writing ''your account has been recalled from the debt collection agency'' 

Should I include any additional commentary ?

Thanks

LuisDiaz

Robin9 said:

I don't think you've responded to the court yet.

Do so - in writing, a proper snail mail -and enclose the email you've now got from BG.  No need for any detail -  just acknowledge the court letter.



PS I seem to recall you asking why your consumptions were so high.  That answer lies in the size of the house - 5 bed semi - and the number of occupants - 8 (and 3 under 9)  I doubt there are many comparable houses to give a typical use but I would guess you could expect 6,000 kWh of electric and 25,000 kWh of gas..    .   

Thanks Robin
there is a Claim Form to fill in, I assume I fill in the one named ''Defence and Counterclaim''  ?

its says I can fill online or post

PennysIntoPounds

You've made great progress, and fingers crossed for you it's all sorted quickly. That's brilliant you've got BG to cancel the debt recovery and send evidence.
Do be aware there are probably still outstanding charges though so make sure to have a conversation with them about what the best payment plan for you could be.
I would really recommend once this is all resolved, to stay part of the MSE community and make sure you're getting the best energy deals and even get inspired and enthused about saving (it does happen once you've been here a while 😁)
Check out the debt free diaries section when you have brain space, you'll see there is such a wide range of people and struggles and hopefully it'll help you feel less alone and have fewer dark moments 

Qyburn

LuisDiaz said:
   

there is a Claim Form to fill in, I assume I fill in the one named ''Defence and Counterclaim''  ?

its says I can fill online or post

That's the one. Make sure it's submitted exactly as it instructs. Don't miss the deadline. The claimant will be notified that it's now a defended claim, and asked whether they still want to go ahead.

See whether others agree but I would be inclined to select the option to dispute the whole claim (not admit part). Even though you do owe them, you don't want that dealt with at court, with a judgement against you on your records. It should never have gone to court, but should have been dealt with through their normal customer services and billing services.

littlemissbossy

Well done on your progress, you’re doing a great job.