I think this is all a [problem], it's no more than threatening for money with menaces. The simple fact is, sites like the pirate bay and all the others insert random IP information into things like torrent trackers to confuse this sort of thing, and as such innocent people are always going to be victims of these companies. Throw in the ease at which wireless networks are being cracked the general ignorance of people when it comes to understanding what security is and how to properly secure their PC and network... this is why DL have never had a case taken to and tested properly in a court. They prey on people being too scared and gullible, and that they will pay up. They have no legal grounds for demanding this money. It also appears that DL are no longer pursueing this line of business at all, I read a few weeks ago that another company has taken up the flag and is staffed by ex DL people. Trying to deflect the bad publicity away from themselves now and an entire new firm has sprung up to deal soley with the cash cow that is extorting money from people. It doesn't matter what they claim in the letter... make them prove it in a court of law and if they won't demand a full and public apology for the false allegations. Contact the media and BBC watchdog if you get anything from these charlatans and show them up for the lowlifes they are.

Paying by DD is useful for me as I am a touch forgetful and sometimes bills get paid late because I simply forget. What bugs me is when a company deliberately sets the DD way below your usage to trick you into switching and then doubles it a few months later. I'm not a heavy gas user as I only use it for central heating and hot water, and the central heating isn't used between April and Oct anyway. By this time you are usually well in debt to the energy company and so they hike the DD up past your actual useage to cover the shortfall. This hits people rather hard. My folks got hit like this just a couple of months ago, they switched last Sept and then in April got a letter saying their direct debit was being raised from £55 a month to £137 a month and they owed £441.. Luckily they were able to pay them the money and we told them that the DD was not being raised above £70 or it would be cancelled and the supply switched. I've heard that some of the companies, Npower in partciluar calculate your useage based on 18 months, and include 2 winters. Read a report on the BBC website yesterday about a guy who sued them and won over their overcharging and they tried to keep it quiet.

I have a friend who has been in incap ben since late 1998, they suffer from depression which can be very debilitating at times. They have become reclusive and withdrawn, have very few friends left and suffer from mood swings. They have been on medication for it, but have never found something that works, so they are currently treating it without meds and have been for some years. We tried to apply for DLA a few years ago but it was rejected, last year we spoke to welfare rights and they basically told us that we couldn't apply as he wouldn't qualify. Now it seems to me that after more than 11years on incap ben, his condition must be well documented, he's just had a new form from the DWP regarding it and that's the first one he's had in several years. Do we try and push for dla again as his standard of living is severly compromised and trying to live on IB is virtually impossible. He can pay the utilities and buy some food, but that's it.

Cheers, it's a very sneaky and underhand practice and should be outlawed as it's getting people to sign up under false pretences. As for original queries, seem to have it all in hand, although took half the day about a dozen or more phone calls. At least I know I can get the gas/leccy prepayment meters removed as there's no issue with a credit check for that. Water is fine with no outstanding debt, can apply for water meter when I create the account after completion on the house. They said an engineer would be set out to assess fitment of a meter... not sure what that means, can they refuse to fit one if say there is a shared stopcock like my current home. BT have also confirmed the line is installed and can be unblocked at no charge. It's a weight of my mind as I'd not considered any of these possible extra costs when doing the budget for the house... and the money to pay them if they arose wasn't available. Never knew buying a home was so stressful... seems to be tripled when it's a repossession as the repo company are being as awkward as they can, it's like they are deliberately trying to scupper the sale.

Cheers, have now found out that the supplier is British Gas for both leccy and gas, and both have prepayment meters fitted. They say that once they have carried out a credit check they can change them to standard meters. Does this mean that I will have to keep them as a supplier for a minimum length of time, or can I switch at my convenience? I also have a query regarding these so called comparison sites, 3 times in the last 8 years I have been told by these sites that another supplier is cheaper and have switched. My direct debits have gone down as they stated t5hat was all I needed for my requirements... within 4-6 months that supplier has doubled my direct debits... it's happened 3 times with 3 different suppliers... and it's not down to increases in energy prices and my energy useage has always remained constant. Do they deliberately undercut other companies with quotes that cannot be sustained and is this practice legal?

I'd like to jump in and offer my experiences in dealing with Anglian water over many years. Each year they tried threatening me with legal action because I insisted upon paying my water rates by standing order over 12 months, even though 12 monthly payments meant that at the end of the year they would actually owe me money. Every month I would get threatening letters telling me I was in arrears and after 3-4 months I'd phone them up and ask them to take me to court where I would happily provide evidence of payments dating back several years. They'd try and demand I paid in 10 monthly instalments (as do the council tax) and my reply is always the same. "When I start getting my annual salary paid in 10 monthly instalments, you'll start getting your payments the same way, until then you'll get it the way I dictate'. To this date I have yet to be taken to court for failing to pay either CT or WR.

I am in the process of buying a house that was repossessed. We have no knowledge of the previous suppliers for Gas, Electricity or Water. there is also a prepaid electricity meter fitted, but according to the surveyor, not for the gas. He cannot find a water meter fitted either. How do I go about getting the services reinstated, as the electricity has been disconnected at the mains, most likely by the repossession company. We have a perfect record of payment for the current property, but I am moving out whilst others will remain. I want a standard electricity meter fitted immediately and before I move in as I am not prepared to pay the extortionate prices they charge and can easily pay by direct debit. Would also prefer to have a water meter fitted as I will be living in a 3 bed house on my own and my water usage will be well below average so water rates will be much higher than they need to be. How do I find out the supplier of the old owners? Can I just contact any supplier and find one that will replace the meter and supply my gas/electric.