Moved out 12months ago, BT want me to pay new tenants bill

[tokyodrifter]

Help? Please?

I moved out of a shared flat in February 2007. I am now receiving final notice debt collection letters for the unpaid phone bill from October 2007!

When I moved out, I spoke to BT about changing the name on the bill, and changed the name/email etc on the online account to the flatmate who was staying on at the property.

Looking at the online account (I can still login) I see that she paid bills in May and August but no more.

I spoke to the landlord who confirmed that she had disappeared while owing him rent and various other bills.

BT say that my name is still on the bill (and indeed it is) therefore I must pay. They also insist that there is no record of my calling them in Feb 07 to say that I was moving out.

Where do I stand? Do they have a leg to stand on?

I will be writing to their head office, as the call centre refuse to discuss the matter further. Before I do, can anybody advise me?

My wife is having a baby in a week's time and they want me to pay £439.16 of somebody else's debt. Impossible. This is stressing me out big time

[Bookworm]

You could tell them that as you moved out in February 07 and your ex-landlord can confirm this, if it were to go to court, the judge would have to decide who's telling the truth, you saying that you advised them when you left the flat (presumably, you also advised other companies, such as council tax, etc...) and they obviously didn't act on it, or believe BT's version that you didn't tell them and left the phone hooked up for anyone to use after you, and based on that, which way do they reckon the judge would go? Suggest to them that if they are so sure of their case, bring it on, and any legal action they may be contemplating will be vigorously defended. Also remind them that whilst the account is in dispute, they can't pass the account to a DCA nor register adverse information on your credit file.

Good luck to you and the new baby. Keep us posted.

[tokyodrifter]

THANK YOU for the excellent advice!

Just hearing a friendly word on the subject helps to dissipate some of the adrenalin.

I will write them a letter this evening and will definitely incorporate all the points you make above.

I'll report back on their response in case it's of value to others.

Thanks again,
James

[tokyodrifter]

Well, it took me long enough (babies are time consuming!) but I finally gathered my sources and dashed off a letter to Wescot and BT. If I get an interesting response I'll report on it.

Oh, in the meantime they threatened 'sending the heavies' and then threatened court

[Bookworm]

I hope you are duly quaking in your boots.

I take it baby arrived safe and sound?

[Son of Shoestring]

Can I add that in future it is wise to always do things like this in writing (and keep a copy), as big company's have an amazing ability to never get telephone calls (or emails) when income is involved.

Good luck with the nipper...

[tokyodrifter]

Baby girl arrived absolutely perfect

BT and debt collectors can't get me down now

[tokyodrifter]

Thought I'd just sign off this thread by saying that the letter worked perfectly (modelled on the one suggested above). Wescot replied that they were 'looking into' my claim. That was months ago and I've not heard from them since. Reckon they dropped it