Water Company

[alan30]

Six years ago I sold my house to my daughter and her partner and moved from Milton Keynes to Kent. My daughter transferred all the utilities to her and then she and her partner sold the house and mover out in March 2007. The water company is Anglian Water and when she moved out there was a dispute about the final meeting reading which took about a month to resolve. Yesterday I received a letter at my current Kent address from a debt collection agency for an unpaid water bill for �250.00 for Anglian Water. On checking with AW they claim the bill is for March 2007 onwards, well after I left and after my daughter left. AW cannot explain why the bill is in my name as they would have obviously recorded my daughter as a subsequent customer. They claim they cannot access records that far back and I now have to prove that I moved out in 2003. I assume they will then chase my daughter to prove she moved out before this bill was incurred. I asked why after six years this is the first time I have been chased and AW claim that they have discovered a number of debts that have not been chased. My main concern is that at some point from March 2007 AW have been writing to my former address and the occupant has obviously had access to those letters which had my name and the AW account details, I am not claiming there is an issue with identity theft here but it seems irresponsible of AW to say the least. AW said I needed to contact, by telephone, the debt collection company and explain which, given the attitude of these companies, I have refused to do. AW claim the debt company will have got my current address from a search with my current water/utilities provider. Is this information not protected in some way? I now have to provide a utility bill/bank statement from 2003 showing my change of address - I don't keep them that far back and it seems I am being put to a lot of trouble for their error.

[nonomaybe]

I had a problem similar to yours. I contacted the company(Insurance) and the debt collectors who admitted that they had bought a bundle of debts which contained my alleged debt. I advised them to provide the paper work that would prove the debt and I would willingly pay it. After a year or so of desultory reminders and threats I then advised them to put up or face the small claims court for harassment - they gave up!! If you take this road check that they haven't registered this debt, particularly whilst it is in dispute.

[Postdog]

Can't help, sorry, but just amazed that the onus has been been put on you to prove you don't owe it, rather than them to prove you do!

What a world, eh.

[vivandorron]

Postdog has a valid point.

Furthemore the stance made by nonomaybe is to be credited.

It's my opinion that if the water company has not maintained records accurately for a period of six years or more, it hasn't got a leg to stand on.

It's just a thought.... you may get sounder advice advice if you re-post your question in the LAW SECTION of AB.......Best wishes....Ron

[alan30]

Thank you all for the advice. Wasn't sure where would be the best place to post but will try Law.

Alan