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British Gas Issues £571 Bill for Flat I've Never Owned or Lived In

British Gas mistakenly billed me £571 for a flat I've never lived in and threatened debt collection despite lack of tenancy or mortgage proof.

·2 min read
Close detail of UK gas bill from British Gas

Incorrect Billing and Account Creation

British Gas opened an account in my name for an address I have never occupied and subsequently sent me a £571 bill. When I attempted to resolve the issue, British Gas declined to open a complaint, stating that I "refused" to provide a tenancy agreement or mortgage statement. Since I have long since paid off my mortgage, I do not possess such documents. British Gas is now threatening me with involvement of a debt collection agency.

Supply and Address Confusion

My actual residence is supplied by Octopus Energy, and I have no connection with the flat located along the road that British Gas has mistakenly associated with me. British Gas maintained the position that if I cannot prove I do not live at the disputed address, then I must reside there. The bank statements I provided as evidence were disregarded, and British Gas did not question the accuracy or competence of the tracing agent it employs to locate debtors.

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Tracing Agent and Address Similarity

Due to the similarity between my address and the flat in question, the tracing agents selected me as the debtor when bills sent to the supply address received no response. British Gas only initiated an investigation after I became involved in the matter. It has since issued a belated apology and removed me from its records.

Contact Information

We welcome letters but cannot respond individually. Please email us at consumer.champions@the.com or write to Consumer Champions, Money, , 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Include a daytime phone number. Submission and publication of all letters are subject to editorial discretion.

This article was sourced from theguardian

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