LCS chasing previous owner for o/s money

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Hello all

I received a letter about 2 weeks ago from LCS looking for payment of utilities unpaid. I knew this was for the previous owner of the house as we'd had utility bill reminders for them for a long time after we moved in (2 years ago), as well as our own "actual" bills.

This initial letter asked for the previous owner's name, forwarding address, and the date when we bought the house. There was an option to phone LCS (on an 0870 number, i think not), or a freepost address, which I used. I gave them the previous owners name, and the date we moved in, but I dont have any forwarding address for them. I also noted that I wasnt impressed at getting a 0870 number to phone!

Today i got another letter from them, addressed to the previous owner, which I accidentally opened. I started to write a note on it saying "i told you - they're not here anymore" but then realised I might get into bother for opening the mail. So I put it in the bin.

Totally not sure what to do now. I know I'm gonna keep getting letters from LCS to the previous owners. Next one I'm just going to "return to sender." but I'm pretty sure its gonna take a while for the message to get through (it did with the original utility supplier). When does this become any type of harrassment, or am I completely overreacting?

Quentin

If you get any more letters just put them back in the post marked "not known at this address".

You can do no more than you have already (assuming you have now ensured they know you are now responsible for paying the bills - only since you moved in of course).

dori2o

Write back to them and advise that should they not stop sending bills and letters to your house, you will report them to the OFT, Trading Standards and the police on account of harrassment. Explain in your letter that you have already returned several of their letters.

Also inform them that it is not your duty to tell them your name, or give details of when you moved into that address and that neither are you responsible for giving information on the whereabouts of the previous owner/tennent of the property.

If they do not stop sending letters, do as you have said and report them.

Terrylw1

You have been right in contacting them but binning the letter just means no contact so they will just send another.

I suggest you send them a letter again asking them not to contact your address and definately not send anyone out which can happen and you don't wnat more hassle.

Make it a letter of complaint.

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Thanks for all your helpful replies. I'll let you know what the next installment is. And thanks for no-one saying I was over reacting