Direct Recovery Solutions

Ah, BG... Yeah as above but do make sure you place into writing that you weren't living there at the time. Supply proof (tenancy agreement etc) by recorded delivery to BG direct. Not some 2-bit debt collection monkey.
 
Burnsy2023 said:
I'm not sure what legal basis that is under.
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In general it is because they lash out hundreds of these letters and are just waiting for you to do their job for them. If you don't acknowledge the letter, they don't have your name and can't make your life difficult. The burden of proof is with them. Acknowledge the letter and you have given them your name and address and someone to pursue. It is then down to you to start proving it isn't your debt.
 
Why do people need to get some militant over something so simple to resolve.

Phone the number, explain when you moved into the property and provide details of the landlord.

Its not a big deal, they have tried to track the previous occupant, have had no success and will look to see if the current occupier knows anything (forwarding address etc).

BG have the right to access the property to cut the supply if it is terminated within the property.

Making the phone call and talking to the people will be FAR FAR less hassle than anything else.

Why do people have to "stick it to the man" so much?
 
Ring British Gas and ask if there's some problem with your account?
In any case, till you find out otherwise, I'd ignore the letter completely
 
Cause they don;t listen. You read the link I posted? The guy didn;t even have gas connected to his property. It was only when CAB and the press got involved that it got resolved as a wrong address.
 
Bar said:
Why do people need to get some militant over something so simple to resolve.

Phone the number, explain when you moved into the property and provide details of the landlord.

Its not a big deal, they have tried to track the previous occupant, have had no success and will look to see if the current occupier knows anything (forwarding address etc).

BG have the right to access the property to cut the supply if it is terminated within the property.

Making the phone call and talking to the people will be FAR FAR less hassle than anything else.

Why do people have to "stick it to the man" so much?
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Read my original post.... I REFUSE to be anything approaching helpful to companies that are so rude. If they had written to me in a more courtieous manner and not provided me with a premium rate number to call me on and topped it all off with the thread (in bold) of sending in the heavies, I would co-operate.
 
Bar, you don't deal with debt collection agencies much, do you? They employ such tactics on purpose, and don't take no for an answer. They generally won't let something as trivial as you not being the person they're after stop them from pursuing you if they think there's some cash in it.

Kitchester, there's a difference between 'acknowledging' the letter and legally acknowledging the debt. BIG difference. One is correspondence, the other legally restarts the clock for statutory barring of the debt.

Since the OP isn't the alleged debtor, he has nothing to worry about. As you say the onus is on the agency involved so there's nothing they can do. He needs to simply write to the originating creditor (ie BG, NOT the agency) and provide the proof as above. Then write to the collection agency with what is effectively a cease and desist.
 
Bar said:
Why do people need to get some militant over something so simple to resolve.

Phone the number, explain when you moved into the property and provide details of the landlord.

Its not a big deal, they have tried to track the previous occupant, have had no success and will look to see if the current occupier knows anything (forwarding address etc).

BG have the right to access the property to cut the supply if it is terminated within the property.

Making the phone call and talking to the people will be FAR FAR less hassle than anything else.

Why do people have to "stick it to the man" so much?
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Oh I should have also mentioned they already contacted me once and I gave the letter to the landlady who said she contacted BG about it. Was 6 months ago when I first moved in so just forgot about it.

That is why.
 
Rainmaker said:
Bar, you don't deal with debt collection agencies much, do you? They employ such tactics on purpose, and don't take no for an answer. They generally won't let something as trivial as you not being the person they're after stop them from pursuing you if they think there's some cash in it.

Kitchester, there's a difference between 'acknowledging' the letter and legally acknowledging the debt. BIG difference. One is correspondence, the other legally restarts the clock for statutory barring of the debt.

Since the OP isn't the alleged debtor, he has nothing to worry about. As you say the onus is on the agency involved so there's nothing they can do. He needs to simply write to the originating creditor (ie BG, NOT the agency) and provide the proof as above. Then write to the collection agency with what is effectively a cease and desist.
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I wouldn't assume other posters knowledge, unless I knew them.

For myself I design processes, policies and procedures for financial service companies and have had multiple dealings with the internal workings of debt collection agencies.

I am also fully aware of my rights and what legislation to quote and when, so if I was ever in the OPs position I would be able to deal with it.

To the OP - I did read your post and understand your perspective but it just seems a little "cut your nose to spite your face". These things can often be resolved quickly and easily.

If it continued a simple letter to the directors of both companies (BG and DRS) providing all the necessary information would resolve it.

To Bes - the guy was also elderly and possibly did not state his case strongly and clearly enough. Without knowing the full facts it would be impossible to comment further.
 
Fair enough, Bar. But your post did come across a little dismissively. Surely someone so familiar with the inner workings of debt collection companies knows just how ignorant, misleading, coercive and harassing they can be to obtain monies they're often not even entitled to.
 
Rainmaker said:
Fair enough, Bar. But your post did come across a little dismissively. Surely someone so familiar with the inner workings of debt collection companies knows just how ignorant, misleading, coercive and harassing they can be to obtain monies they're often not even entitled to.
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True, I did come across a little harsh - more my frustration with some of the attitudes displayed on the forums. Shouldn't let it get to me so much.

I also should have taken into account that unless people are armed with the right knowledge a debt colleciton agency will be potentially intimidating.

Still don't agree with the ostrich approach or being deliberately awkward - I would rather just deal with it and move on.

Apologies. :)
 
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