reasons for secretly putting bills in anothers name

[joko]

what possible reason could there be for someone to transfer the name on their utility bills to someone else who is unnconnected the property.
why would it matter? why would the electricty board care who is named as long as they get the money?

thanks

[southerngirl]

Probably nothing to do with the property but may have a money laundering issue behind it. In order to get a bank account or to invest money you have to provide personal identity and and address. The address identification called for is a utility bill or bank statement, so it may have something to do with that. Or it could be that someone's address is blacklisted for credit and they need to use another address to get credit as the same sort of rules apply to this as well.

[joko]

hi southerngirl.
its me who i suspect has had my name used for the electricty in a property my brother runs.

i received a letter from the company with my name at this address saying they wanted access to read my meter.

it had been passed to me by my dad

i can't think why he would do that - what benefit fo rhim?

thanks

[chitchat]

You should speak to the electricity board to check the details of this account and get them amended if necessary and then speak your brother to make sure this is nothing more than an oversight. It would matter a lot if you brother was to default on the payments coz if the bill is in your name, you may end up with a county court judgement made against you and that may cause problems for you later when you apply for credit and/or a mortgage.

[southerngirl]

chitchat is right. He may be looking to default on the payment and you may well be held responsible if he does that.

[WendyS]

Don't speak to the utility company on the phone. WRITE to them and keep a copy of the letter so that if there are any consequences and you are held responsible for the debt you have evidence to show that you have done whatever is necessary to clear up any misunderstanding that you are not responsible for the debt.
I would also speak to your brother and ask why this has happened. If he really has done this, it would be sensible to also contact the gas board and the local Council to ensure that other utilities and rates bills have also not been transferred into your name.

[themas]

As well as doing everything WendyS says, send any letters by recorded delivery & make sure you get a reply from the utility co. confirming they have removed your name from the account. A lot of them have very sloppy admin so you may have to be very persistent to get this, but don't give up. If necessary, they have complaints procedures you can use.
If you can find out the providers, check with water & phone companies as well as the others.