Scam Utility bill claims

[standup14]

Good afternoon,

I have received a claim form from CCBC made by a debt collecting agency for a scam utility company. The utility company tried to force itself upon me when i moved to a new property back in 2011. I never signed a contract with them. After numerous complaints i made them stop supplying and switched to utility company of my own. I did payed them regularly but they sent a final bill of £1000 which I refused to pay with reasons. Since then I moved 3 times due to jobs and never heard from them until recently.

I would like to defend myself and others from such scam companies. Unfortunately that company is registered but it does have a bad repute.

Please help, i have 2.5 weeks to write a defence.

Many Thanks

Standup14

[jaguarsuk]

Please provide more information using this template taken from the First Steps page

Issue Date:
Have you Acknowledged the Claim?:
Total Amount Claimed:
Claimant’s Name:
Solicitors Firm:
Original Creditor:
Original Debt (eg. Credit card/Loan/Overdraft) :
Particulars of Claim: Please type out in full excluding names/account numbers:
Is the debt Statute Barred (have you had any contact with the creditor or claimant over the last 6 years?):
List any letters you have sent (eg: CCA/ CPR )
Any Other Information or Background Details:

[standup14]

I have been told not to mention claimant’s name as they follow your forum and can jeopardise the outcome of defence and or judgement?

Please advise
Many thanks

[jaguarsuk]

Well you are going to need to give a lot of information on here that will probably make the case identifiable if you want to deal with this matter yourself.

I'd advise consulting a solicitor whom can see all the information.

Good luck

[MIKE770]

I have been told not to mention claimant’s name as they follow your forum and can jeopardise the outcome of defence and or judgement?

Please advise
Many thanks

they cannot spend all day looking at these sites, very rare occurance over the years, a judge years ago stated to a claimant that anybody in the public domain can seek reference wherever they like, by the way the case was thrown out and cost the company/

[Diana M]

The utility company tried to force itself upon me when i moved to a new property back in 2011. I never signed a contract with them. After numerous complaints i made them stop supplying and switched to utility company of my own. I did payed them regularly but they sent a final bill of £1000 which I refused to pay with reasons.

Was this utility company already the supplier to the property when you moved in or was this a doorstep 'sales pitch' from a different business who then transferred the account into their name without your knowledge or permission?

If they were the existing company then you may have become obligated under what is known as a "deemed contract" (without the need for a signature) especially since you say you paid them regularly.

Deemed contracts are explained here > http://perfect-clarity.com/deemed-electricity-contract/

You've not said how long you remained in the property before switching to a supplier of your choice, but were any meter readings taken or was the utility company billing you based on estimates?

If the final bill covered underpayments based on previous estimates then you may be able to argue the Back Billing code which prevents them claiming more than the final 12 months.

The Back Billing code is explained here on Ofgem's website > https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/h...ng-your-rights

What were the reasons you refused to pay them on receipt of the £1k bill?

You need to file your Acknowledgment of Service within 19 days from the claim Issue Date (top right on the claim form). Tick the box which states you intend to defend all of the claim.

You have 33 days from the claim Issue Date to file your Defence.

Di

[standup14]

they cannot spend all day looking at these sites, very rare occurance over the years, a judge years ago stated to a claimant that anybody in the public domain can seek reference wherever they like, by the way the case was thrown out and cost the company/

Thank you so much, thats reassuring

[standup14]

Was this utility company already the supplier to the property when you moved in or was this a doorstep 'sales pitch' from a different business who then transferred the account into their name without your knowledge or permission?

If they were the existing company then you may have become obligated under what is known as a "deemed contract" (without the need for a signature) especially since you say you paid them regularly.

Deemed contracts are explained here > http://perfect-clarity.com/deemed-electricity-contract/

You've not said how long you remained in the property before switching to a supplier of your choice, but were any meter readings taken or was the utility company billing you based on estimates?

If the final bill covered underpayments based on previous estimates then you may be able to argue the Back Billing code which prevents them claiming more than the final 12 months.

The Back Billing code is explained here on Ofgem's website > https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/h...ng-your-rights

What were the reasons you refused to pay them on receipt of the £1k bill?

You need to file your Acknowledgment of Service within 19 days from the claim Issue Date (top right on the claim form). Tick the box which states you intend to defend all of the claim.

You have 33 days from the claim Issue Date to file your Defence.

Di

Thank you so much!!


1- Previous supplier was British gas, Landlord gave me the contact details of the British gas. But when I spoke to BG, my electricity supply had been already hijacked by S energy.

2- I was at the property only for an year

3- To date, i have never had such a big bill. We were only 2 people (mother and child) at the property, me working full time and child in school and after school. I payed them regularly until I managed to move with British gas. Not sure of the exact time, but probably they were forced supplier for 6 months or less.
4- I have Acknowledged the service and must write my defence soon.The claim has been issued on the 30th of March.
(I am away from 25th of April)

Thank you so much for your help again.


Kind regards

Standup 14

[standup14]

Dear Legal Beagles,

I need help with writing Defence against debt collection company. Are there any sample defence templates?

Kind regards

Standup14

[Kati]

Dear Legal Beagles,

I need help with writing Defence against the DCA. Are there any sample defence templates?

Kind regards

Standup14

You could try adapting this - https://legalbeagles.info/library/gu...-court-claims/

tagging jaguarsuk Diana M

[wales01man]

I am a bit confused here? All utility bills are based on meter readings where are the readings should be one for each fuel on the date the new resident moved in and at least one since

[standup14]

I am a bit confused here? All utility bills are based on meter readings where are the readings should be one for each fuel on the date the new resident moved in and at least one since

Correct! I registered with them for both electricity and gas and even started a direct debit. Evidence available. But unfortunately the scam company overrode them and started supplying it. The original company tried to intervene but scam company only allowed gas to be supplied by them, I continued my fight for more than six months and eventually electricity was changed to them too.

[standup14]

May I request for specific Defence against utility companies or companies who are working for scam companies.

Many thanks

[standup14]

You could try adapting this - https://legalbeagles.info/library/gu...-court-claims/

tagging jaguarsuk Diana M

Dear Kati, I accidentally mentioned a company name, could you kindly remove the that name or the post? Thanks

[des8]

Kati ..post 10 as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!