A while ago I was going through the post and found a debt letter about a water bill - I pay my water bill by direct debit so ignored it as it was not in my name - I was a bit suspicious as it was addressed to Mrs then my partners surname - we are not married.
We got another one last week so I called and said nobody of that name lives at this address and in any case I pay my water bill by DD. They said they could not give me any info but assured me baliffs would not be calling - how kind of them!
I am just wondering if someone has made up an ID using our address and my partners surname - I was further confused as it is a water bill and surely Thames Water know I pay by DD using my name?
I am very confused (and a little concerned) has anyone else had this, or something similar happen?
2007-12-09 22:15:13 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in News & Events ➔ Current Events
Puddy the letter was from a debt collection agent and this is who I called, Thames Water are next on my list. As I recall they wouldn't even know his surname as being a woman I sorted all of the bills and he just pays me!
2007-12-09 22:49:26 · update #1
I work in the Fraud Dept of another 'utility company'.
Are you sure its the Bailiffs who are coming and not just a Debt Collection Agency?
If its the Bailiffs that would mean that the case has already been to court, in which case you should contact a solicitor/the citizens advice bureau in your area.
I suspect that this has only got as far as a Debt Collecxtion Agency - unless you've ignored court papers too.
The likelihood is that this is an admin error. However, don't ignore it and don't wait for the debt collectors to turn up. They won't be able to solve your problem. Only the water company can do that.
Call back to the water company. Keep calm and polite, but INSIST on being put in contact with the Billing or Fraud Dept. Do not be fobbed of with the call centre. If they can't transfer your call, I'd expect them to arrange a call back or give you an e-mail address.
Tell the Billing or Fraud Dept the details of your account, and ask them to compare that to the suspect account details. If someone is using your identity, it can be sorted out quickly. After all, you can only have ONE water supply to your property and you can prove that you pay for it. If the account relates to another property, it is the water company's responsibility to prove your connection to that address.
Once you've spoken to the Billing or Fraud Dept, follow up the call with an e-mail confirming what was discussed and any actions either of you agreed to take.
Get them to confirm in writing that they've called off the Debt Collection Agency.
Don't deal with the Debt Collection Agency. They work on commission and therefore have no interest is resolving your problem. They don't get paid for accounts that are written off.
Good luck :0)
2007-12-10 02:36:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry. I had the same thing happen to me twice, at the same address. Just the name wasn't the same. The name could just be a coincidence. Is your partners common? I had to phone them twice. I said that surly they had it on record that this address paid by DD. They treat you as if you are stupid. They told me that the bailiffs couldn't come into your house if you are not there. Yes they can. It happened to me. They left a note and took the stuff. They need to get their act together.
2007-12-09 22:25:14 · answer #2 · answered by Chris 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is an easy way companies use to get people to call in so they can check them out. A common practise is to send a bill for an outrageous amount to people in arrears , people who would not want to ring in soon do.
2007-12-10 00:16:55 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the same thing happened with me and edf energy! i was paying them by dd, all of a sudden i got £250 bill, ignored it coz i knew i had paid it by then it had already gone to the bailiffs, i phoned them to sort it out and they said i had to sort it with edf energy, i kept getting passed back to and forth with no luck and now I'm still awaiting the outcome. they don't communicate with each other, they just send us stupid bills willy nilly!
2007-12-09 22:26:41 · answer #4 · answered by Ottilie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would be really careful about this, this sort of thing worries me, how come the water board cant give you any information when the letter is about your property?
ask them to check that they didnt set up 2 accounts by mistake when you moved in, one in your own name and one in your partners name, mrs ..... its feasible
its worrying that they've sent 2, get them to cancel down that account
2007-12-09 22:40:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi,bet the water board have made a mistake.
2007-12-09 22:18:37 · answer #6 · answered by Ollie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they blamed you of sending email spam. You should change your password. To ensure this problem, you might also change your computer password as administrator or login. Cheer
2016-05-22 11:06:50 · answer #7 · answered by rochelle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
prob just a mix up, or yeah someones using your partners surname and asuming your mrs!!??
2007-12-09 22:20:07 · answer #8 · answered by Saz 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a matter of paracice i change my identity every 6 months.
2007-12-09 22:47:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
do an on line credit rating check, this should tell you of any applications made in that name to your address
2007-12-09 22:58:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋