For six years British Gas has been harassing me to pay a bill for more than £3,000 even though I have never been a customer. It started in 2010 when I applied to move to Sainsbury’s Energy, supplied by British Gas.
British Gas wrote to say it was connecting an address in Dartford I’d never heard of. I told it to cancel the switch and I stayed with E.ON. Since then British Gas has sent bills, and I’ve had letters from debt collectors threatening to apply for a warrant to enter my home and fit a prepayment meter.
I have provided bills and bank statements to prove I am with E.ON. Last year BG apologised and promised there would be no further contact, but it is still stressing me out. Now it says the bill is for communal areas in my building. CL, London
British Gas admits it has been harassing you erroneously, although its records suggest the bills only started arriving 18 months ago. “We sent reminders by mistake for an electricity bill between November 2014 and January 2016, even though CL wasn’t a British Gas customer,” it says. “This shouldn’t have happened and we’ve put it right.”
You’ve received an apology, an assurance that no more bills will be issued, and £150 compensation which, of course, is paltry given the legal threats and possibly compromised credit rating.
If you need help email Anna Tims at your.problems@observer.co.uk or write to Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Include an address and phone number.
