British Gas - as usual.

[dave]

Hi all,

I have a very long standing argument with BG about a gas bill.

About 18 months ago I changed supplier as BG service was exactly as we've all come to expect.

They phoned me to try and talk me out of it, and at the same time told me my account was 'considerably in credit', I asked how much, and she said she couldn't tell me until they took a reading.

They never did take a reading as my house caught fire and I wasn't there for the next 7 months.

They did, however, send me a bill for £440. I wrote back asking them to clarify that this was the case, as a bill for £440 doesn't sound like 'considerably in credit' to me.

They ignored that, of course. So I waited (or ignored). No reply until they passed it to a DCA (despite a S.10 notice being included with my request for further information).

I wrote to them, and asked for a copy of the orig. agreement and proof that I actually owed this much money, as it seemed excessive since I was paying a set amount each month by DD, it seems unlikely that they would have miscalculated by this much.

Anyway, after sending another letter asking the same to the DCA and BG (as they ignored that one too), I finally get a 1 side of A4 claiming that from 6/4/2005 to 8/4/2005 I had used xxx units amounting to £440. That was it, nothing else.

I then got a letter (some weeks later) from the DCA claiming that now I had been given 'proof' of the debt, can I now pay up?

As I hadn't received anything of the sort, or even the orig. agreement which they said they would send, I left it - there is no way on earth any judge is going to believe that I have used that much gas in 2 days!

Now I have a letter from them DEMANDING payment, and claiming that they have incurred an extra 100 quids worth of legal fees!

Twunks.

[JackieJ]

Twunks,

Have a look at my thread - I am having a similar problem and I have reported them to Energywatch. I just got a letter this morning threatening court action which, to be honest, I would welcome!!

They calculated my final bill by totalling all the electricity I had used since November 2005 but only taking into account the last 9 payments!

Let me know how you get on and I shall keep you posted of any developments in my case.

As I saw in another thread, might be time Watchdog had a return visit to BG!

Jackie

[dave]

I was going to Subject Access Request them, but haven't got round to it yet.

[JackieJ]

Good idea. As I have recieved yet another letter this morning may take that course of action myself.

[IIIUMINATI]

A Subject Access Request request will not apply as they do not come under the consumer credit act (confirmation required)

[Esio Trot]

Originally Posted by IIIUMINATI

A S.A.R - (Subject Access Request) request will not apply as they do not come under the consumer credit act (confirmation required)

It was probably just a Friday thing, but an Subject Access Request comes under the Data Protection Act - nothing to do with credit.

[dave]

I think he meant CCRs - but I want all the info they have on me, so that I can prepare for going to court - which is what they keep threatening - bring it on!

[photoman]

Dave,
(or anyone with some know how regards disputes over Gas).

I have a very serious issue I plan to take up with British Gas.

A matter of gross negligence on their behalf (which I have proof of), and would appreciate some opinions ?

Please take a look at the thread I have just started.

Photoman V's British Gas

Thanks

PM

[IIIUMINATI]

I have exactly the same problem with BG my debt was passed to two debt collectors. I changed supplier was hit with a large bill.
I accept that there may be an amount outstanding but nothing like the
amount they want. This is on my elect account the gas was changed at the same time with no problems.
My bill £300 approx from BG when it was passed to the collectors I was offered a discount of 30% by each of them if I paid immediately.
I contacted BG and asked them why did they not offer the discount
I was told that collectors are the only people that can offer a discount.
If the bill was correct in the first place why offer a discount.
I have kept names and dates of the offers.
They have an in house solicitors Horners . This department sent me a letter some time ago with threats and all the usual guff. From the appearance of the letter it would give you the impression that this was an independent firm however this company is whole owned by Centria/ BG and the in house solicitor is a Pamala Jane Horner.(Housesteads Hattersley Cheshire ).
She only works part time 3 days per week. She was very surprised when I managed to speak to her but basically repeated what I was told that is the mighty BG had issued a bill and it must be right well like the banks they can never be wrong. ( like to hear in court she just signs the letter to make them legal ?)
I to have lodged a complaint with Energy Watch. (no teeth organization
jobs for the boys quangos) how ever I have done this so when it finally goes to court I have carried out the complaints procedure.
I spoke the there data controller fine fellow based Millstream road
Windsor. He sent my BG customer data subject access request application form. This form asks for the normal information regarding proof of who you are etc. The form as you would expect tries to narrow down the information that they have to supply thus reducing there costs and may be retaining information which you have not asked for in your request that may be help full when you put your case together. I shall be asking for
ever thing (there is a very good template letter which covers ever thing on here including internal email ) a good £10 quids worth.
I was also informed that a copy of my contract was not necessary and that they could not supply one and contracts were not issued as most of new business was done over the phone.
I phoned Bg sales and asked for there terms conditions. This was sent the following day with a contract to sign and a DD to complete.
They have also registered a default with Expiring but I have had a notice attached explaining that the entry is disputed.
Has any one spoken to the information commissioner dept regarding the passing of personnel information with out authority ?.

Both DC have passed my paper back to BG now. ( DC using my info without my authority. ( but BG said it was ok they said )-)
I told them that if there is a debt prove it .You just can`t take figures out of thin air to balance your books.
Any way lot of questions to be asked and considering the number of complaints which BG has had we could do with a test case.

IIIUMINATI IS RIGHT IIIUMINATI IS ALWAYS RIGHT CAUSE I SAID SO lol