Energy bill, Debt claim - need advice please

robcdale

I’m looking for some advice on a debt claim escalation. I’ve just received a "Final Notice" from BW Legal regarding an old British Gas account, and they’re threatening legal action in three weeks.

The Situation:

• We moved house recently. British Gas set up a new account for us and issued a final bill for the old property.
• I actually paid this final bill in full over the phone with British Gas after getting the first notice from BW Legal.
• I have an email confirmation from British Gas confirming the payment was successful and the balance is zero.

BW Legal is still chasing me as if I haven't paid. When looking for advice on google they recommended I send a 30-day hold while they verify it with British Gas.

What's the best way to handle this without using their portal giving them more information than I'm comfortable with?

Any advice on what I should include in the email apart from proof of payment?

Does anyone have a direct email address for BW Legal that actually works (specifically for energy/British Gas disputes)?

Thank you !

la531983

If you are confident you have paid the amount in full, simply wait until it gets in front of a judge and then produce the evidence you have paid for it, why even worry?

TroubledTarts

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81965632#Comment_81965632

That can still be a stressful and unnecessary journey involving time.

Bets to nip this in the bud.

The OP says they have an email from BG saying the balance is zero pounds but I wonder if they have a final bill saying the same?

Did the final bill they paid also match their meter readings and their usage? All good things to check and get confirmed now rather than later

Brie

Frankly I'd do everything by snail mail and don't give them anything like an email address or any phone numbers. Don't make it easy to harass you.

I would suggest sending them a letter advising that the bill is paid in full and unless they have any proof of it being outstanding that you will consider any further contact to be harassment and that you will raise an official complaint on that basis. Tell them as well that you will not deal with them via email, phone or text, only by post and that they should erase any contact methods other than your actual address from all of their systems with immediate effect.

robcdale

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81965636#Comment_81965636

I just called British gas to make sure, received a confirmation email that all bills have been paid off on that account.

fatbelly

As long as you send BW a copy you can let them know that you consider that the end of the matter and will not be responding to future communications.

BW are primarily a Debt Collection Agency though they do take court action occasionally.

II don't think they have a current email.