first utility/dca/doorsteppers harrassing OAP about old bill with wrong est on it - help

[cavvy]

hi all

 

i have been advised to begin a formal complaint against first utility on behalf of my mother with regards to them claiming money which is not owed

 

can anyone advise me on the procedure,help with e mails or template letters at all

 

has anyone dealt with this company before as my experiences so far seem to suggest a very poor bunch

 

many thanks

[dx100uk]

its just a letter

 

p'haps you'd better ouline the story

 

then we can poss help even better?

 

dx

[cavvy]

ok here are some more details

 

my mum moved into a new property on oct 3rd which was supplied by a company called first utility

 

on oct 21st she switched to british gas who she prefers to use

 

she received an estimated bill from first which was way in advance of anything that is on her meter even now !

 

contacted them and they blamed b gas,contacted b gas and they blamed first.

 

b gas have insisted it is now resolved and she is paying her b gas bills no problem

but was still getting demands from first,

she sent them a cheque without my knowledge for part of the bill hoping to bring the harassment to an end

 

then last week she got a solicitors letter,and this week a call from a debt collector!

 

obviously i am not happy about the treatment this firm are dishing out to an elderly lady living on her own

 

hence i have decided to make things formal.

 

but not very skilled at this type of thing

any help or advice most welcome

 

thanks

[dx100uk]

name and shame please

 

dx

[cavvy]

the solicitors letter was from a company called new hampton law,although it didnt look very well done to me

 

unfortunately my mum didnt catch the name of the debt collection firm

 

thanks

[2Grumpy]

There is a system where meter readings are exchanged on transfer. When I transferred to Scottish Power & my old suppliers chased me for estimated bills, I contacted SP who resent the data & contacted my old suppliers for me (apparently they know who to talk to - I suspect it isn't a rare occurrence) and then everything went ok.

 

General advice is to not pay debt collectors and their tame solicitors but contact the supplier direct - they should have all the information & muzzle their dogs if you tell them it is wrong.

 

Don't forget about the cheque payment that your mum made in the final reconciliation. If it was made to a DCA it might take time to get to them

[Surfer01]

Did you take a reading when your mom entered the premises permanently and give it to First Utility? If not, there would have been an estimated read and this could result in a large bill which may take ages to resolve. As the bill is being disputed, the DCA/Solicitor needs to return the bill to First Utility and they may need to be reminded to do this.

[cavvy]

hi all

 

thanks for replies so far,have sent my e mail complaint and have had all the correct acknowledgements back from them

in answer to a couple of questions yes we took readings on moving in but gave these to b gas as we wanted to change and my mum sent the cheque to first utility not a debt collector

will update as and when i get anything back

 

thanks

[rebel11]

Hi cavvy

 

Heres further info:-

 

17) OFGEM - COMPLAINTS CLICK HERE

 

If your mum shoudn't paid any monies get them to send her a refund.