Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

To not pay a debt I owe?

60 replies

WaterSucksAnyway · 09/02/2018 18:52

Because they don't seem to want to let me?
I was in debt with my water company and went onto a payment plan. At the time the plan was agreed I was £300 in arrears. I then built up further arrears and due to a miscalculation didn't pay it, as far as I'm aware this debt stands at circa £400 now.

I left the UK 10 months ago but the same month I left I rang the water company from abroad and said look I know I owe it can you tell me how to pay it? I'll need your IBN or another payment method but I'll pay it.
The person on the phone refused to give me it, citing they'd contact me by letter. I handed over my address but heard nothing so 6 weeks later I called again. The lady on the phone found no record of this call but did confirm I owe a debt but stated she'd send me a letter stating how much and how to pay.

I did then receive the letter citing I owe £411.
They offered 3 payment methods.

Direct debit (not possible, as I can't set up a DD to a foreign bank. I have tried.)
Cash at a post office. Not going to work for obvious reasons.
Online with my water card number. This may be possible as I still have a common card (MasterCard) only I do not have the number for the water card

Rang again and asked for it. They refused, but said they'd send me a new water card. I wanted to tell them that it was pointless as I'd never use it I just needed the number but I was so exhasperated I said thanks and bye. This was 6 months ago.

However I never received the card and every time I ring they're just rehashing it with me and nothing changes. I've tried ringing 7 times and emailed 3x and sent a recorded letter that was received and signed for since being told I would receive a new water card to my current address (ie, overseas). I even said if they weren't able to send it to me as I'm abroad they could have my mums address but this wasn't allowed.
I've made a huge effort to pay off all debts in the UK either before I left or within a month of leaving as the UK will always be my home so I do not want to leave any mess behind for me to walk in on when I get back.
But I'm at the point now where I want to give up. They don't appear to be pursuing it but if they do I have proof that I've tried chasing it including several emails. I may send a last email as a last ditch attempt and also proof if required in future that I really did try but it's just feeling pointless now as they don't seem to want me to pay!

Aibu and if you've experienced similar what did you do?

OP posts:

GnotherGnu · 10/02/2018 01:37

cheques have been near obsolete since before I even had a bank account

Really? I work for a charity, we seem to get cheques all the time.

Storminateapot · 10/02/2018 02:07

Are cheques obsolete? I still use them. Not often, but at least one a month probably. If you can't get your own cheque try getting your Mum to write one and send it to them with a covering letter explaining the situation while you do a transfer to her account to cover it.

HerRoyalNotness · 10/02/2018 02:32

Be careful of the cheques, I tried to pay something in the UK by cheque from the US, the bank refused to make it in GBP. I had to call the company to see if they could accept it in USD. Something to do with money laundering the loony bastards

JAMMFYesPlease · 10/02/2018 04:57

I'm surprised you're telling people to read the thread when you don't appear to realise that OP has resolved the problem.

It's not fully resolve yet. As many have said, a cheque may not be the best idea for someone without a UK bank account. I offered a different suggestion to actually help rather than offer bollocks all. Just because you take a cheque doesn't mean the water company will. I've not used a cheque in the UK for 15+ years.

isthistoonosy · 10/02/2018 05:10

I got round this (also water, no water card but had an account number) by phoning the debt collection dept and then getting transferred to the accounts dept. I then explained to them how to find out their iban number. Although I think i had to call their bank in the end with the rest of their details and ask for their iban number.
And that was all for an account not in my name so I couldnt discuss any details directly, request a new card etc. So, as annoying as it was it can be done.

Mummyoflittledragon · 10/02/2018 05:41

JAMMF
Op said she doesn’t want to lie and say she lives with her mum. oy the irony of telling op to ignore the twats. Hopefully she will.

I think tweeting for the IBAN number is a very good idea as I’d asking for the bill with a giro slip on it. I would ask if they will accept cheques before raising one from an abroad account.

VioletCharlotte · 10/02/2018 08:15

I find it hard to believe that there is no reference number or account number on the letter from the water company.

NoWordForFluffy · 10/02/2018 12:10

Me too, Violet. How on earth do they find the account when she rings?!

YorkshireLurker · 10/02/2018 12:27

I work for a utilities company - believe it or not anyone can call and make a payment on an account even without your account number.

Someone providing your name, address and date of birth is enough to satisfy security.

Get your mum to call the call centre and they'll sort it! Surely they take debit card payments over the phone and you can reimburse...

Wishiwasholsk · 10/02/2018 12:31

t might be a problem for your credit rating in future.

It won't show on your report six years from the default date. Also before then you have a default regardless of whether it's paid or not.

Flip

1 2 3