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Post by Ath on Jan 7, 2009 13:03:00 GMT
Npower elecricity bill. I recieved all sorts of letters and threats (debt collection officers will visit you, your credit may be adversely affected, we are preparing a court case against you etc) even though I stayed with Npower at my new address and rang them to switch accounts!
I don't even know if it's sorted now... the last one was a visit by a debt collection officer but nobody's turned up yet to take anything...
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Post by bigospedros on Jan 7, 2009 13:14:27 GMT
eek ... sounds like an error at their end when you moved. They shoulda closed one account and started a new one. Did you take meter readings when you moved out ?
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Post by Ath on Jan 7, 2009 13:27:23 GMT
Unfortunately not. I didn't get chance as my landlord let my flat out to someone else before I had fully moved out!
I got in touch with CAB and sent some sternly worded letters complaining to The debt collection firm and Npower.
Npower have been quite reasonable and have promised the account is closed in my name. It's BCW and their bailiffs I'm worried about now, I've had nothing except threatening letters from them.
It's funny because the dispute is essentially between me and Npower and it has been resolved. But the guys they've empolyed to recover the debt on their behalf remain to be convinced! Knobheads!
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Post by bigospedros on Jan 7, 2009 14:27:45 GMT
hmmm ... I think once bailifs get called in then it gets serious because they are essentially employed to recover the debt and if that debt is not recovered then they have no-one to recover their fees from as the debtor pays their fees, not the company that called them in.
So, you're right, it's with Npower and the Debt Collection company to sort it out between them, but I bet you get more hassle over this, 'cos the bailifs will probably just assume you're spinning them a line so you don't have to pay :S
You need to get Npowers stance in writing to present the bailifs with it, should they ever turn up on your doorstep.
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Post by Ath on Jan 7, 2009 15:03:36 GMT
I don't think they can call the baliffs in without a county court judgement. I haven't had one of those yet so I think it may be an empty threat.
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Post by bigospedros on Jan 7, 2009 15:56:40 GMT
Having a CCJ against your name, even if it proves false, is not a good thing ... all of this will be seriously affecting your credit rating and that's gonna make life hard for you in the future.
This is not a wait and see situation, if you ask me ...
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Post by Ath on Jan 7, 2009 16:23:11 GMT
What else can I do?
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Post by bigospedros on Jan 7, 2009 19:04:10 GMT
if I were you, I would be on the phone to some Npower manager and get them to explain why the bailifs have been called and why you're getting these letters and then ask them what they're going to do about it. Afterall, they've told you it's all sorted, haven't they ?
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Post by Ath on Jan 8, 2009 7:51:34 GMT
They have. I sent a letter to the debt collection guys after I recieved the letter about the visit from the debt collection officer (is that code for bailiff then?) but have yet to recieve a response...
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Post by bigospedros on Jan 8, 2009 9:18:12 GMT
Yes i would say "Debt Collection Officer" is just jargon for Bailiff.
If I were you, I'd be doing everything over the phone and getting confirmations in letters rather than the other way around. Could be sorted quicker that way.
But I sympathise because I bet you feel like a 3rd part victim in all this when in reality the problem is between two companies but you can't get them to talk to each other to sort the problem out for you. You always have to play the middleman and in that situation, you can only talk to 1 side and they'll always blame the other. That's what it felt like for me when I had an issue over a transfer between 2 banks and this seems rather similar.
You just have to keep on at them and get it sorted otherwise events will just carry on and you could find a nasty surprise on your doorstep.
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Post by Ath on Jan 8, 2009 13:09:13 GMT
You're probably right. The only problem with talking to them on the phone is they are just programmed to get you to pay whether the debt is yours or not. Also if they say they'll solve something on the phone and won't put it in writing it sort of doesn't make any difference.
I've done a bit of research and this is common practice for Buchanan Clark and Wells (Debt agency) and I should just keep telling them in writing to bugger off.
It's harassment really.
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Post by bigospedros on Jan 8, 2009 13:35:17 GMT
ok, well good luck ...
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Post by Stacey on Mar 4, 2009 14:27:07 GMT
Oh My God.
Not only have i just got through to someone at BT straight away, but they've sorted my problem out straight away.
Of course, BT really should have set up my direct debit when i ordered my broadband like i asked...but i suppose expecting them to get everything right is too much to ask!
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Post by gingerpimpernel on May 8, 2009 18:28:56 GMT
The ones that phone you... keep them on the line as long as you can, they get in shit for it. If any of the fuckers phone me, they'd better be prepared to lose their job over it.
You can have fun with them. Ask them how they got your number.
Or if they're selling something, say the following:
You: "Yeah that sounds good, I'm busy right now though, tell you what. Give me your home number and we'll discuss this later." Them: "We can't give out our personal details to potential customers." You: "Ah right, I see, I guess you don't want people hassling you at home then?" Them: "Thats right yes." You: "Neither do I."
You can either hang up there or improvise.
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