Can my name be put on bills without my permission?

Kristoph · 6 Aug 2008 at 16:22

Quick question...

I recently tried to give some final meter readings to Southern Electric / Gas because I've just moved out of my flat.

It appears that we're no longer with them, and that the account was transferred to British Gas in April by one of my housemates.

I'm guessing (and hoping) that when he signed the utilities over to British Gas, ONLY his name will be on the bills for Gas / Electric?

There's no way he could have put my name on the bills is there?

Its just I can't be arsed to do any more chasing around, I'd rather let British Gas hunt him down if its just his name on the bill.

Oh and if what I'm doing seems a bit harsh, have a quick glance through these two threads:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11995184&postcount=1

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17899021&highlight=username_mp3kla

Kristoph · 6 Aug 2008 at 16:28

I didn't cancel the service with southern electric / gas, my housemate did. He signed us over to British Gas.

I didn't want him to do it, obviously if he has put my name on the bills, and they start hunting me down too - he could be in a spot of trouble wouldnt he?

Is it not fraud?

Kristoph · 6 Aug 2008 at 16:30

Abraham said:
I'm not sure, wouldnt you have to prove it was him and not you that did it, seeing as you lived at the property at the time I cant seem them being too bothered by it

So if he wanted to, he could have put my name down for a Sky subscription? Or a new phone / internet subscription?

Kristoph · 6 Aug 2008 at 16:37

That seems totally messed up to me. Why should he have the right to add my name to something and make me legally responsible for paying - without my permission?

I've only just found out we're with British Gas, if there has been bills sent through to him - and he's not paid them - I'm going to get **** for this too...

Kristoph · 6 Aug 2008 at 16:47

I just feel its weird that someone can go behind your back and change supplier or sign you up to something without having to have a signature from you.

What if I don't want BT Broadband, or British Gas, or Sky TV? Why should I have these things tagged to me. It seems very easy to add someone to a bill, yet when I had problems getting my other housemate to pay bills - it was impossible to remove myself from the bill once I'd paid my share.

It's all a bit of a joke if you ask me.