Electrical company claiming fraud

[Beagle90]

Hello,

Northern Ireland electricity have sent me a letter claiming they found evidence of unrecorded electricity use of so many units over the course of a year. They have also claimed that there has been " magnetic interference "
I have no idea what they're talking about. They said they have times and dates to show when it was use, but they couldn't as it was never used and not gave me any of them so i can prove I wasn't in at these times?? and I genuinely have no clue what to do about this? Can they take me to court?

I've lived in this house for little over 7months , but the house was signed over to me in Jan 2018.
Due to renovations ( which i have trades willing to say on my behalf that work didn't end until November 2018) and have 2 small children unable to live here as utilities weren't installed as early as August and the wood burner being the final thing in November)
I was also staying with my sister for most of the month of December until school started in middle of Jan.
hoilday in February also took me away for 2 weeks.

They've wrote to me saying my meter had been tampered with and they have given me unused usage estimates from Jan until march when new meter installed.
I really have no idea why they have said I've used " magnetic interference "
yes my meter usage went from very very little until i started using appliances etc.

They are now telling me i owe the money back. But I have never done anything to my meter for me to need to pay this.

Any advice will be much appreciated.

[ostell]

This looks like the second post, with a different user name, for this incident. Can you keep it to one thread?

[Beagle90]

As to my pior message . I have done a new thread as which you've pointed out .
i would just like some help in direction as I've not done anything wrong and I'm unsure as to go about it.

[ostell]

Splitting a problem across multiple threads and users will result in information being missed and incorrect advice given. Suggest you delete all but one of the threads you've created and operate under one used.

Somebody going across multiple threads has just lost in court as vital information was missed

[Beagle90]

I've only made one thread but wrote on someone else's?

[ostell]

OK magnetic interference is a big magnet on the front of the meter to slow it down.

Ask them for proof that the meter had been tampered with and tell them that you were not living there as the building was uninhabitable. Is this a Smart meter? Cause that's the only way they could have times and dates but then a Smart meter is no (I believe) susceptible to magnetic interference.

[Beagle90]

I have told them twice now in emails that I wasn't living in it for nearly a whole year, it was originally a housing executive house and the house was in bad disrepair even before that was unused for a year before i even got the house signed over to me.

They told me that it " tested positive for magnetic interference" * and that's all they've said.
other than contacting the electrical company and paying a fee they've come up with.

No it wasn't a smart meter. The newest meter they installed is still considered an older versions compared to a smart meter ?

I'll ask them for proof when they reply to my most recent email and see what they say .

*." The meter at the property was upgraded and the old meter was sent for testing at NIE Networks meter test station, where the subsequent test proved positive for magnetic interference, as recorded on the internal memory of the meter. NIE Networks are in possession of a report detailing the times and dates of when a magnet was applied to the meter " ..... "As stated on our previous correspondence, NIE Networks will hold this report should the matter be progressed through the courts."

[ostell]

So ask for the report detailing the times and dates of the alleged application of a magnet. Compare to where you were, and can get written confirmation of being in another place and then respond to it.

Put strongly that they are accusing you of something you absolutely deny yet they are refusing to show the evidence they are relying on. This sounds as though they are trying to frighten you to make a payment.

I know magnets could slow down the old spinning wheel type meters but they didn't have the ability to store dates.

[Beagle90]

I have heard nothing from NIE since I've wrote them the email saying those things.

But budget are now stating that I need to pay them the fine regarding the findings of NIE.
they've said " failing to remit the liability in full or enter a suitable payment plan will result in budget Energy Ltd moving for prosecution or progressing the matter to small claims court in order to enforce you to do so"

If im in dispute over the matter how can they go ahead and force me to pay for something i haven't done!

I don't know if its best calling them in regards to this instead of trying dispute it with NIE.

[ostell]

Who is Budget? And it is not a fine, only a court can issue a fine.. Keep insisting on those reports about defective meter.

I

[Beagle90]

Budget energy are the energy company that i was with up until dec 19 as it was already a contract with the previous tenants so i kept it on until i realised they are the most expensive on the market in northern ireland.

NIE have wrote to them and gave them a " estimated usage used but not recorded " so budget have wrote to myself telling me i owe them this.
I have tried ringing them today but i haven't got through. I just wanted to let them know I'm in dispute with NIE. But as they aren't replying I'm not sure if i should just call NIE. Even if it means there is nothing in writing ?
can budget bring me to court even if im disputing it with NIE. ?

Shall i write a new email to NIE or should i just call them ?

Thank you so much for you help .

[ostell]

Can you check your dates in the last post please.

Normally one company cannot claim for the debts owed to another, unconnected, company.

Keep all of this in writing or email and keep all copies.