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    • Hi all, Love this site and it's no nonsense advice, have dipped in and out of the consumer forums over the years, mostly to assure myself that what I was doing was the right thing when dealing with various businesses (almost 100% success rate, thanks in part to reading and more reading here.). Anyway, the time is almost approaching where I might need to ask for some specific help and I have a couple of queries that I can't see definitively answered. Due to financial mismanagement and severe anxiety issues I stopped paying all unsecured debt in December 2018 (one slipped to the first week in Jan 2019 when the last payment was made having rechecked my bank statement from that period - all my unsecured debt direct debits were cancelled in early Jan 2019). This has left half a dozen debts;  a couple of credit cards, a bank loan, Shop Direct and some Hitachi Finance stuff having been sold on and passing the rounds through the usual suspects, Lowells, Link, PRA Group, others related to them, and then back to them again. I have somehow successfully managed to maintain radio silence and avoided anything more worrying than their begging letters.  I have blocked their phone calls and texts, bumped all emails to the spambox and had a chuckle at their desperate letters.  I've never had anybody at the door.  I have been at the same address since before I defaulted and all correspondence comes to my current home address.  I have NEVER contacted them or admitted any debt. In anticipation of them perhaps ramping up action at the last minute I've had a look at my credit report on Credit Karma (rec'd from this very place) and I see that the default dates on these range from May 2019 to November 2019. Also in preperation I've been reading, reading and reading lots here as advised. Obviously being in Scotland there are a lot fewer posts relating to these matters and it's always quite annoying when OP's do not follow up with any outcome on their cases - how rude! This has also left me a bit confused of when I am able to finally breathe easy (although cancelling all the direct debits in Jan 2019 was the biggest sigh of relief as I knew it was all going to be unmanageable and, well, default one, default all.). I've been reading that defaults should be filed 3-6 months after the missed payment but one of my larger debts was defaulted on 27th August 2019 when the last payment I made was 10th December 2018, meaning the first missed payment was 10th Jan 2019.   My query for now is - when should I infer that these debts are prescribed?  From when the payment was missed, or taking the default date plus 5 years from the credit report?   The three I have with the May date are moot anyway as either way they are gone - some letters from Lowell offering me 90% off to settle is what got me thinking these must have been near SB status, however I have one big 10k+ with a July date and another 10k+ at the end of August so I am feeling a bit anxious again, even though I know there is nothing to worry about with the begging letters.  Reading the various forums I am not sure why the OC's didn't take action against me when I read time and again the surprise that other posters haven't already been taken to court for lesser amounts - I'm also surprised I've avoided any action this long as there are plenty in this forum and sub forum who are whisked off to the court by the beggers minions after only a year or so after defaulting.  There are no CCJ/decrees listed on my credit report and I have not received any such judgements against me.  I still just regularly receive the begging emails to the spambox, the blocked phone calls and the letters from the they.   I'm also reading that there is no need in Scotland to send an LBC so what should I be looking out for to know that the time has come to engage with CCA requests etc?   I'm afraid in a fit I threw a lot of the paperwork out but I have a box of stuff I'm going to go through which may have the original letters from the OC's.   Thanks in advance for any advice.  
    • I'm at work now but promise to look in later. Can you confirm how you paid the first invoice?  It wasn't your fault if the signal was so poor and there was no alternative way to pay.  There must be a chance of reversing the charge with your bank.  There are no guarantees but Kev  https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09766749/officers  has never had the backbone to do court so far.  Not even in one case,  
    • OK  so you may not have outed yourself if you said "we". No matter either way you paid. Snotty letter I am surprised that they were so quick off the mark threatening Court. They usually take months to go that far. No doubt that as you paid the first one they decided to strike quickly and scare you into paying. Dear Chuckleheads  aka Alliance,  I am replying to your LOCs You may have caught me the first time but that is  the end. What a nasty organisation you are. You do realise that you now have now no reason to continue to pursue me after reading my appeal since you know that my car was not cloned. Any further pursuit will end up with a complaint to the ICO that you are breaching my GDPR.  Please confirm that you have removed my details from your records. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I haven't gone for a snotty letter this time as they know that you paid for your car in another car park. So using a shot across their bows .  If it doesn't deter them and they send in the debt collectors or the Court you will then be able to get more money back from them for  breachi.ng your data protection than they will get should they win in Court-and they have no chance of that as you have paid. So go in with guns blazing and they might see sense.  Although never underestimate how stupid they are. Or greedy.
    • Thank you. Such a good point. They did issue all 3 before I paid though. I only paid one because I didn’t have proof of parking that time, only for two others.    Unfortunately no proof of my appeal as it was just submitted through a form on their website and no copy was sent to me. I only have the reply. I believe I just put something like “we made the honest mistake of using the incorrect parking area on the app” and that’s it. Thanks again for your help. 
    • They are absolute chuckleheads. You paid but because you entered a different car park site also belonging to them they are pursuing you despite them knowing what you had done. It would be very obvious to everyone, including Alliance that your car could not have been in two places at the same time. Thank you for posting the PCN so quickly making it a pity that you appealed since there are so many things wrong with it that you as keeper are not liable to pay the charge. They rarely accept appeals since that would mean they lose money but they have virtually no chance of beating you in Court. Very unlikely that they will take you to Court given the circumstances. Just in case you didn't out yourself as the driver could you please post up your appeal.
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Hi everyone;

 

I apologise if this thread is long winded, but I will put everthing that has happened in cronological order. Basically, I have lived in my property for 16 months and have never received an electricity bill.

 

Ok here goes:

 

March 2012 I moved into this current property. Eon were informed of this and given meter readings.

 

March 2012 Received a welcome pack from Eon stating they will be supplying my electricity.

 

July 2012 I have not received any bills to date. I wrote a letter to Eon informing them that I have not had a bill and please could they send me one.

 

02 July 2013 (twelve months after my letter requesting a bill) I received a bill from Eon for £1255.47 from 01/03/2012 to 19/06/2013 approx 16 months!!!!

 

11/07/13 I sent a complaint letter to Eon outlining the Back Billing Code. Nothing heard back letter ignored.

 

16/07/2013 Letter from Eon saying please pay bill

 

17/07/2013 Missed call from Eon

18/07/2013 Missed call from Eon

19/07/2013 Missed call from Eon

 

20/07/2013 Still no reply from Eon Re: my complaint so i sent a formal complaint letter/account in dispute letter via email to their director of complaints. Nothing heard email ignored.

 

22/07/2013 Missed call from Eon

23/07/2013 Missed call from Eon

 

24/07/2013 Call from Eon saying I owe £1255.47 and how would I like to pay. I informed them of my complaint and the back billing code of practice. Adviser states he can see my complaint and will investigate.

 

31/07/2013 Threatogram from Eon saying pay up now or account will be passed to debt collectors and will incur further charges.

 

06/08/2013 Formal complaint lodged with OFT.

 

07/08/2013 Another call from Eon asking to pay the bill now! I informed the advisor that account was in dispute and I have lodged a complaint with the OFT. Also stated the back billing code. Unfortunately she had no idea what the back billing code was. She asked why I havent paid the bill in 16 months. ( Because i never received a bill ) WAS GETTING ANGRY HERE!!!! As i pointed out to her:

1 Eon knew i was living at the property

2 I contacted Eon because i had not received a bill

3 I received a bill after 16 months

4 My complaints have been ignored.

Her reply ' so why have you not paid your bill' Because you never sent me a bl*@dy bill. Arrrraggggghhhhhh Apparently after going around in circles like this for 10 mins she will investigate!!!!!

 

I have lodged a complaint with OFT they are pursuing an account that is in dispute and have no idea on backbilling. What do I do :( Please help

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There are EON reps on here so this will be picked up.

 

My advice would be to email [email protected] with your complaint. They can only charge you one year back from the date of the first bill, so back to June 2012. They must then give a payment arrangement to repay this balance over a period of up to a year.

 

Hope this helps?

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Hi Corrections34

 

I'm sorry we've caused you so much frustration.

 

You've done the right thing in contacting our Director's Office. I do know they've a bit of a backlog at the moment but, to be honest, I would've expected them to have picked up your email by now. They will, though, need to refer your Billing Code claim to a specialist team who determine whether or not the code applies.

 

Basically, the Billing Code applies where we're at fault for not sending a bill. In these cases, we'll not bill for any energy used more than 12 months prior to the billing issue being sorted out and a bill sent.

 

From what you've said, it looks as though the period from 1 March 12 to 1 July 12 may well fall under the code. There'll be notes on the account detailing the times you've contacted us and these will be used to help determine the claim.

 

The complaint handler in the Director's Office will liaise with the Billing Code team and you to explain what has happened and what we propose going forward.

 

As nottslad says, once sorted out, we'll be happy to offer you a payment arrangement to spread the remaining balance over a mutually agreeable period.

 

Also, if you're unhappy with the proposed resolution, after 56 days you can refer the matter to the Ombudsman for an independent review.

 

Let me know if you would like me to take a look and talk to our Director's Office for you as happy to do so.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Malc

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Hi malc

 

Thank you for reply. I would be grateful if you could take a look at this for me. I usually pay my electricity bills as and when they come. However I dont have £1255.47 available. I just cant understand how its taken 16 months to bill me. Despite me informing Eon that I had not received a bill. Sorry to keep going on. Im just a tad angry. I would really appreciate your help.

 

Thanks Corrections34

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Hi, I recently had the same problem. Have you checked that your meter has not be miss assigned when it was originally registered by the supplier...basically when a property is built the connections engineer confuse which meter is connected to which property (due in part to developers using plot numbers rather than flat numbers).

Edited by honeybee13
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  • 1 month later...

Hi all

 

Just a quick outline on whats been happening. I complained to Eon on 11/07/13 because they sent me a bill for £1255.47 covering the 16 months I have lived in my current home. I informed them when I moved in and even received a welcome pack. However, I never received any bills. I informed them that they are back billing me hence the complaint.

 

I had a letter from Eon recently stating my complaint is very important to them but they are still trying to resolve it. And they even said I could now take it to the ombudsman!! Today I received my next bill of £224 from June to Oct. The amount now stands at £1479.47. And they are requesting payment.

 

I really dont know what to do about this because this bill is spiralling out of control now. I live on my own and really dont know how I can pay all this money. Its really beginning to worry me. Why is it taking them so long to sort this complaint.

 

Could anyone please give me any advice on what to do?

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Hi,

 

Did you contact them during the 16 month in which you didn't receive a bill (I notice from your earlier post that you did contact them once but then not again for 12 months...I would think this would be seen as insufficient but I hope not)? if not then you are not protected under back billing. I have pasted the basic principles below. You can also find out more at check your meter .com Sorry I can't be the bearer of more positive news.

 

When does the back-billing principle apply?[/b][/b]

Each case is looked at on its own merits; however the 12-month limit for back-billing may apply in these examples when your supplier has:

 

Failed to bill you at all and you have requested bills from them;

Billed you using estimated meter readings instead of valid readings provided by you or a meter reader;

Billed you incorrectly by mixing up meter readings, and failed to act upon information available to put this right;

Failed to do anything about a query or fault you have raised regarding your account or meter and subsequently allowed a large debt to build up on your account;

Failed to reassess a payment arrangement (e.g. Direct Debit) within 15 months, or failed to reassess based on a reasonable estimate

 

The Back-billing principle may not apply if you:

Have been using the gas or electricity supply but have made no attempt to contact the supplier to arrange payment. This includes moving into a property and making no attempt to let a supplier know you are the new tenant or homeowner;

Have willfully avoided payment;

Have not co-operated with attempts to obtain meter readings or resolve queries requested by the supplier. This includes failing to allow access to the property or failing to respond to requests for meter details or meter readings.

Edited by Stevereice
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Sorry, I just amended my reply as I noticed you had contacted them. Did you send the first letter recorded delivery or did they acknowledge the letter...my only thoughts are that it might be touch and go whether they see one attempt as enough...I hope they do, as it is rather outrageous to receive such a high bill!

 

Good luck!

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Hi all

 

Just a quick outline on whats been happening. I complained to Eon on 11/07/13 because they sent me a bill for £1255.47 covering the 16 months I have lived in my current home. I informed them when I moved in and even received a welcome pack. However, I never received any bills. I informed them that they are back billing me hence the complaint.

 

I had a letter from Eon recently stating my complaint is very important to them but they are still trying to resolve it. And they even said I could now take it to the ombudsman!! Today I received my next bill of £224 from June to Oct. The amount now stands at £1479.47. And they are requesting payment.

 

I really dont know what to do about this because this bill is spiralling out of control now. I live on my own and really dont know how I can pay all this money. Its really beginning to worry me. Why is it taking them so long to sort this complaint.

 

Could anyone please give me any advice on what to do?

 

Hi Corrections34

 

I'm really sorry this hasn't been sorted out yet. I've just contacted the complaint handler and asked him to give you an update as to where he is at with your complaint.

 

Don't worry about debt follow up, though. This is suspended whilst there's an open complaint on the account.

 

Sorry again about the delay.

 

Malc

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  • 6 months later...

Hello,

 

I just wanted some more advice on this complaint I have with eon. This companies complaint procedure is a shambles and they are nothing more than bullies that are attempting to intimidate me. briefly, I made a complaint to eon with regard to backbilling on 11/07/2013, this letter was ignored and they continued to harass me for payment. 20/07/2013 made a formal complaint to the complaints Director. Again this was ignored. Thanks to CAG a chap on here called malc investigated my complaint and I eventually received a letter from eon dated 07/08/2013 Informing me that eon are looking into the complaint and will be in touch again with a response.

 

I have heard absolutely nothing from this company with regard to my complaint. I have had two different bills in this time which I have paid. But I refuse to pay a single penny of the £1255.47 until they amend this with the back billing taken into cosideration.

 

Today, I received a threatening letter from eon stating that I need to pay the full amount. They will add a £10 debt collection fee. And also they report to credit reference agencies. This is absolutely disgusting. They have NEVER been in touch with a response to my complaint. It has been ignored and they are using threatening tactics. This account is STILL in dispute.

 

What can I do. Please help

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Time to contact the ombudsman?

 

It looks like this is my only choice. Ive tried their complaints procedure but its like talking to a brick wall. They just ignore me. Ive been on the OFT website but its saying they no longer operate. Who is the best person to speak to now?

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It sounds as if whoever was handling your complaint has closed the case without taking any action.

 

I do worry that as you have made payment they will off-set this against the oldest charges; the billing code permits a supplier to count any payments made towards the under bill.

 

I would strongly advise that you send a letter to eon's CEO Tony Cocker at EON UK PLC, Westwood Business Park, Westwood Way, Coventry, CV4 8LG stating that the supposed debt is in dispute as per the unresolved complaint and that any attempt to add charges or adverse credit history will be disputed and reported to the relevant authorities (OFT and Ofgem)

 

In the meantime, escalate the complaint to the Energy Ombudsman - as the complaint is over 56 days old you are able to do this. State in your complaint to the ombudsman that you set up an account with EON and they sent you a welcome pack (include a photocopy if you can) and that they did not bill you for 16 months, despite you having written to them. You have then complained to the supplier and they have failed to resolve this.

 

Tell the ombudsman that you feel the code of practice for accurate bills (Billing Code) applies for the first four months of the first bill due to the supplier failing to send you a bill; you have not deliberately avoided this and had no communication from EON about any billing issues that would require you to take any action to enable them to send you a bill.

 

As a resolution request that the first four months charges are written off, a sincere apology is issued and a goodwill gesture applied to your account, together with a payment arrangement if you need this.

 

Hope this helps and keep us updated!

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi everyone

 

I just wanted to update everyone that has helped me on here with regards to my electricity bil.I emailed Mr Cocker and had a reply from a Mr Thompson at the Directors Office. He handled my complaint promptly and kept me informed at each stage.

 

The original bill was for £1255.47

 

£296.96 Was deducted for the backbilling code.

 

A good will guesture was added with a further reduction of £478.51.

 

With a little bit of unpaid usage from previous bills my outstanding balance now stands at £504.58 a total saving of £750.89. I have arranged to pay the balance in two instalments.

 

Thank you all

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