The problem seems to have been sorted, thanks to Graeme (Scottish Power Rep). The original bills were sent to the wrong address (I think probably the new address of the old tenant, hence why the first bill was paid), but I have them now so can actually pay. Also, the involvement of the DCA has been stopped. Thanks for all you helpful suggestions, really appreciate it.

Thanks Graeme, will email details to you as I can't yet send any PM's.

thanks JonCorzine, I will write both the debt collection agency and Scottish Power if it isn't sorted out soon.

Yep, and I figure that SP really need to send me a bill first, then a reminder and only then make use of a debt collection agency. But unfortunately, the threat of it affecting my credit rating is pretty serious so I feel I should try and get things sorted before that happens. I think they have to send me a letter telling me they are going to do that first though.

no, sorry,the agency is CCS

The debt collection agency is CCA (I think, I left the letter at work unfortunately). I spoke to them on the phone and they made no mention of being from Scottish Power.

Thanks, I really appreciate your help. Hopefully they'll get this sorted out.

thank you, that would be great.

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me out with a problem I'm having with Scottish Power. I moved into my new flat at the start of September, having previously lodged so hadn’t had an electricity provider for several years. The electricity provider at the flat was Scottish Power but I wanted to go to LoCO2 so never got in touch with Scottish Power. I sent all my details, including a reading from the day I moved in, to LoCO2 in the assumption that it would just be back dated. In hindsight that was not the correct thing to do, but I really didn’t know. Anyway, about two weeks ago a debt collection agency got in touch demanding payment of £45 on behalf of Scottish Power. I was quite bewildered as I had never even received a bill or reminders from Scottish Power. I got in touch with LoCO2 who told me that indeed I should have let Scottish Power know but they provided me with the switch over ‘readings’ so that at least I knew approximately what the bill was about. I then phoned Scottish Power, explained the situation and was told that I had been sent two bills, and according to the man I spoke to, that I had paid one of them (in cash, possibly at the post office according to him)! I suspected that these bills had been addressed to the previous tenant and so would have been forwarded to him. After I strongly protested that I had never even received a bill, let alone paid one, he suggested he send copies of the two bills, so that I could check whether they had been addressed to the previous tenant. This was two weeks ago and I still haven’t received any mail from Scottish Power at my address. However, I am being called by the debt collection agency who not only wants me to pay a bill I have never even seen but also pay a 15% administration fee. Although I explained the situation, they of course just want me to pay and are threatening me with legal action and to ruin my credit rating. It’s not that I object to paying Scottish Power for the month between moving in and starting with my new provider but I do want to see a bill before I pay and I certainly object to paying a debt collector as I don’t feel it is my fault that I haven’t paid. Can anybody help me out as I really don’t know what to do with this? Thanks.