LCS for SSE - REFUSING THAT THEY CANNOT ADD CHARGES

[Pudwud100]

Hi everyone

 

I hope someone out there can point me in the right direction on this one.

 

I have an ongoing issue with a DCA called LCS who act for Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE). 

I have not, and of course will not speak to them on the phone. 

 

They have, after some time, responded to my letter to them asking if SSE had sold the debt. 

They have responded openly and said they are agents and the debt has NOT been sold on to them. 

 

They are trying to add on "recovery charges" of £71.57 and trying to say it is SSE that has done this. 

They enclosed an invoice from SSE for the amount owed to them and there are NO additional charges added.

 

Now I have already told them that if the debt has not been sold then I want to deal direct with SSE and not them but they are having none of it. 

I want to tell them to basically go forth and multiply but I want to do it in a legal way.

[dx100uk]

expand on the debt please

current supplier and current address or ??

 

full history please

[Pudwud100]

We used to be with SSE up until the summer and we were advised by them that we had a closing balance of £357.87. 

We were unable to pay this at the time and SSE were not prepared to wait for us to agree some sort of payment arrangement over a period of time because they wanted things settled there and then because we were leaving them. 

 

after the passage of some more time we heard from LCS who are saying they are authorised agents. 

I have never at any time had any communication from SSE that THEY were adding charges so I am assuming this is an attempt by the DCA to extract 'administration fees'.

[dx100uk]

correct, but you shouldn't be awaiting SSE to give their permission

you know their details, you should have just gotten on and paid it as you suggested.

 

have you been keeping the money put aside that you offered £PCM to date?

 

dx

 

[unclebulgaria67]

If you know or can find out the sortcode and account number for SSE, you could set up standing order to pay them the amount over a relevant period. Then write to SSE saying that is what you are doing.

[ericsbrother]

SSE can insist that you pay the dca but they cant insist that you pay any fee or other such addition to your bill but that is why it is sensible to just pay them directly using the payment details they gave you as a customer

[Pudwud100]

Thank you unclebulgaria67 and ericsbrother. 

Useful advice. 

 

I would just like to ask one further question if I may. 

I offered originally to SSE what I felt was a reasonable and affordable payment arrangement. 

 

Why the matter went to LCS is because SSE flatly rejected my proposal and demanded that the full sum be paid in 2 equal instalments over 2 months which I couldn't afford then and still can't. 

 

Can I just implement myself what I proposed and what if they say I HAVE to deal with LCS?

[dx100uk]

Pay sse direct

Ignore the dca totally

 

Dont offer just do it!

When you can what you can.

You dont need anyone's permission!!

[Pudwud100]

Thanks everyone.

[ericsbrother]

yep, even if you are in arrears it will show that you are trying to resolve the problem. Gte it cleared in under 6 months and they will have nothing to complain about and it will take at least that time for them to try and use the legal route to force a payment method (which they will then lose as you are clearing the arrears)