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Original poster

disputed utility bill being handed to debt recovery company

7 replies

coccyx · 09/04/2011 18:42

Hi. briefly We have lived out of country for 3 years, returning for maybe 3 months a year. We were paying a monthly direct debit to utility company, they decided to double it, despite us not being in arrears and telling them our use was low. The bills have only been estimates, despite them having access to gas meter. They now say we are in 1000 pound of arrears!!!. Husband rang and demanded they read inside meter, friend had access. They say they want payment or it will be going to debt recovery company.any advice

OP posts:

prh47bridge · 09/04/2011 21:33

They won't get anywhere giving it to a debt collector. All you have to do is inform the debt collector that the bill is disputed and they should cease all collection activity whilst the dispute is resolved.

Have you given a meter reading to the utility company?

Original poster

coccyx · 10/04/2011 11:26

They have access to gas meter but said they would estimate them both anyway!!

OP posts:

mumoverseas · 10/04/2011 11:28

We've had this several times as we are also abroad for the majority of the year. We have just had to ensure that we get regular meter readings and supply them online. If your friend has access, you should get them to do it. Its the only way to deal with this time of matter. If you provide a meter reading, you will possibly find they owe YOU money

Littlefish · 10/04/2011 11:30

If your friend has access, you need to get them to go and take the meter reading so you can phone it through to the utility company.

Collaborate · 10/04/2011 17:05

I don't understand. If you give them the meter reading they will recalculate your bill. I don't see there should be a problem.

Original poster

coccyx · 10/04/2011 19:12

well thats what we have been saying all along, then hey presto they want 100's of pounds a month more by direct debit and now say it is going to a. debt company.
very frustrating as they say one thing and do another

OP posts:

TuttoRhino · 10/04/2011 19:19

Presumably you're still paying by DD and haven't cancelled it? Companies normally only send non-live (eg ex customers who moved) debt to debt collectors. And they can't do this if the account is in legitimate dispute as it goes against the gas & electricity acts.

Get the meter reading to them and they should sort it asap.

Is it one of the small energy suppliers btw?

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