Water pursuing me for Mum's debt

[PILEALLTHEPILLSONTHEFLOOR]

Hi, is this legal? My mum and I used to live in an address about 4 years ago and the water company are now chasing me for her debt. I have never been responsible for bills there as I was a child at the time.

They have sent it to a collections agency and are now insisting that I take responsibility for her debt. My credit has dropped 80 points from Excellent to Fair. My Mum is insisting that it's some kind of scam but I don't think it is if my credit has already dropped so far.

They can't chase you for that debt. I assumed your Mum was dead? Why aren't they chasing her for the payment?

That's terrible. Surely they have evidence you were only a child. Complain Complain Complain- CEO of water co (regardless of whether with collections agency) and then to Ombudsman.

Speak to CAB.
You were not the bill payer, it's not your debt.

Why are they not chasing your mum as she is still here to discuss with you - where is she? Is there any chance she's given your details (sorry if I am excessively suspicious!)?

Speak to CA(B) or similar with a clear account of the history.

Is it just with debt collectors or have the got a CCJ?

It's with debt collectors atm

No she would never do something like that! I have told my mum and asked her to pay it

But WHERE is she - in that same address?

Just refer the debt collection agency back to her.

This can't be right. I think your mum has given them your name and address and is now trying to claim it's a scam.

She would NEVER DO THAT

No she moved in with her bf

Well if your mum paid it there wouldn’t be an issue

I assumed from title she was dead

she Isn’t so she needs to pay her bill from when she lived in the house. Why didn’t she ?

It is not your debt. You are not obligated to pay it. In any universe. Do a SAR request and ask how they have come by your information in connection to this debt. (Subject access request). Under GDPR you are entitled to know.

Who gave them your name and address?

They can't do that. Give them her number and address and say you were a child when you lived there with her. Show your ID if you have to. Then do not open the door or speak to them again.
You may need to contact credit agencies to reverse any negative impact.

And tell your mum to pay her debts.

She must have put your name on the account, possibly joint names?

So you provide them with her new address.

I have called water yesterday and they said they would address it but the debt company called me today and said they would also contact Cambridge water. I guess nothing has happened yet as yesterday was Friday

You know it's her debt, not yours. You know her address. Just pass that information on and they will leave you alone. Why didn't she pay her water bill?

idk dude. my credit is fucking wrecked tho. its now 570 (fair) down from 680 (excellent) and I got rejected for a credit card the other day

If your name wasn't on the bill it's nothing to do with you. They will have just done a search to find people linked to the address at the time period in question. Tell your mum to phone them and arrange to pay.

ive done everything actionable as I can. its the weekend so Cambridge water aren't working I guess I have to wait until Monday for it to get sorted

how can I get the damage to my credit restored?

You were still a child four years ago? So they cannot put bills in a child’s name, therefore it is not your bill.

Bat it back to your mother, give them her address.

(I don’t know if it’s relevant, but how are you defining ‘child’? Were you under 16 when you left the property?

There won’t be any unless there is a ccj against you,

You might have done but your mum hasn't. All she has to do is phone the debt collection agency who are open today tell them it's her debt and pay.