hi dx100uk. thanks for your advice. I have had the energy Ombudsman on the case since last March. Awaiting their verdict, Can I request for compensation? I have sent a medical certificate to show damages on my heath by their actions. I have spent months preparing my case, producing tables and documents to npower and Ombudsman. The story of their harassment, direct and via 4 debt collector agencies are in around 50 page document. Yet, the talk is around £250 so called "goodwill payment". Can I request the Ombudsman to consider those fully and suggest realistic damages?

Hi CitizenB, many thanks for your patience with me. I have tried to address a number of issues here, and I think I have made it too complicated. Perhaps I could ask shorter questions. As you suggested, I have asked for SAR; just to delay the next raid by Richburns - current debt collectors. Are there actions I could take against debt collectors. According to OFT Guidlines they broke rules. Did not allow me to read what they called the warrant. They had not asked to access meters prior to the raid. They had just said they would make application to court if certain amounts were not paid. Neither they nor the police informed me that they were there only to deal with meters and nothing else. Shortly after they left they phoned and got a further £900 off me - said they made a mistake with amounts charged! Can I ask them for copy of their warrant and challenge their denial of entering my property. Whilst the case is with the Ombudsman, am I allowed to take legal action against npower. Can I take an injunction against npower and debt collectors to stop issuing fabricated bills or repeat of DC's raid until the long dispute is resolved by the Ombudsman.

Sorry I can not help much but I can sympathise with you. I too have been going through very similar ordeal for the past 2.5 years. Except my energy company is npower. British gas did horrible things to me for years and got huge amount of money out of me. At the end I though I got free and went with npower. I have ended in hospital with stress of their last raid. Perhaps you can help me! Have you ever experienced non-existant warrants? I can not get a copy of mine. The court tells me there was no such claim or warrant but on the other hand there was something to force entry to my home. So I can not challenge the warrant. Did you find yourself in that position too? or do you always receive a claim and response form before the hearing. Sorry! you ended up helping others with your horrible experience.

what's wrong with it?

Hello you kind people.. ..Many thanks for your advice and prompt response. I am desperate and at risk of being raided very soon. Thanks. There are 2 issues here. 1- Long standing dispute: I had accounts with power since 2006, and up to 11/2011 - I had paid a total of around £8k thr' DDs. In 2011, I received a sudden bill for total debt of £8.5K; it increased to £12k within 2/3 weeks, and continued. Asking for unprecedented amounts, the new demand showed "cancellation" of every account balance from 2006 to 2011. All efforts via telephone, writing and initial lawyers failed. They kept fabricating more bills and figures. Meanwhile harassed directly, via 4 debt collectors and from time to time issued additional fabricated bills for current "estimated" usage and including outstanding debt figures in balances due. Having pointed out to them for a year, they finally accepted to back date the account but still giving incorrect figures. However, to date, despite having Actual readings for the period, they have not issued correct billing to take into account all moneys I had paid. In March 2013, we reached a point where they still refused to tell me where my £8K had gone. And they continued their harassment. Meanwhile they extorted further £1000.00 and monthly payment of £150.00 (Total to date £1650) in addition to £3K they got with their raid on July 2013. I agreed to pay the former two "towards current and future usage- as they suggested " only because they promised to stop the harassment "until matter was resolved by the Ombudsman". I took my case to the Ombudsman in March 2013 as they refused to communicate further. The Ombudsman has been looking at the case since. 2- current billing and fabricating new debts: They have NOT issued correct bills whilst harassing with debt collectors for various fabricated demands. I would not know where figures demanded by agents come from. On June 2013, they apologised for not sending bills for current usage despite having Actual readings. They had not issued any by the date their agents raided my home. I have already described what happened that day. Last week they finally send 3 bills in a matter of 2 days. They, as in the past, were partly estimated despite photo of meters sent to them around 2 weeks before. They also included the outstanding disputed balances in total amounts demanded. I have objected to those and sent the Ombudsman a copy. So effectively, NO; The have not sent bills. Nevertheless, as before, since they have given me a short time to pay, I am very concerned that they may be planning another raid. I am afraid the more actions they take, the more delay they affect on the ombudsman's decision. New bills or actions have to be included in files with the Ombudsman hence, each time, delaying a decision by a further 8 weeks. So I have no correct bills for disputed nor current usage.

Funny enough they waved a piece of paper with no heading from a distance I could not read, claiming it to be a warrant. Whilst I protested, their large team came into my front garden and onto the side gate and opened the gas meter cupboard when I screamed and told them to get out and they were tress passing. They were looking for electricity meter as well but could not find it. to date I do not know what was in that sheet. I said I would call the police, they said they would do that too. Two officers arrived and I let them in. They told me that the team had a warrant to confiscate anything from my house, take my car away (they were looking into my car at the time) and disconnect my supplies. Police agreed with debt collectors when they told me if they showed me the warrant closely, I might grab and tear it ! They extorted £3000.00 to go away. Before they left, the debt collector wrote a ref number for my payment on the back of an envelope handed to me. Later on I found a piece of paper inside it, he had written "force entry not made"! When I contacted the court, as mentioned, the Administer of justice told me there were no warrants and therefore I could not obtain a copy or make an appeal. My immediate question is did they break the law? Did magistrates break the law. I have no means of finding out to make a complaint or clear my records. Besides that, how can I stop a repeat? I am told, sometimes, even if I find out that they were making a similar application to court, I may still not be given a chance to defend myself as there would not be an official hearing to attend to. Can I ask for SAR at this point with Ombudsman's involvement? If so, would that be the way to stop the next raid until they send my SAR?

To change suppliers while all this is going on! What would I tell them? This case has grown so big and complex, I don't know how to explain it to new suppliers. I am most keen to change them

Can I ask for SAR if the Ombudsman gets involved?

Yes they had not sent a bill for current usage based on actual readings. However, for this particular raid, they apparently had only addressed the current usage which they fabricated. I did not know where the amount demanded by their debt collectors came from. They had written a few weeks back apologising for not issuing bills and promising to do so very soon. I am now very concerned as, now they have sent me estimated bills with yet another fabricated amount of around £5k! They have ignored Actual readings and based it on unrealistic huge estimates. Apparently the bill took more than 12 days to reach me giving me deadline of 1 working day to pay. I contacted the courts to see if I could get an injunction to stop the eminent next raid. I was told I can not do a thing. Just wait! If they do not send notifications, which apparently they can, then I just have to sit and wait for the repeat of that horrendous experience. I need to find exactly what they did at the court last time. It would help to see if I can I stop the next raid until the Ombudsman gives his verdict for historic dispute.

I have spoken to the Ombudsman. They assure me that they do not have powers to stop force entry. The energy company misrepresented to the Ombudsman and the court by fabricating a large debt. Last year they ignored Actual meter readings and billed on estimated usage. They then, against my requests, refused to send bills altogether. I first heard of a huge figure through their debt collectors followed by their raid. I must mention that they have been receiving monthly payments (as they suggested) "towards current and future usage until the outstanding dispute is resolved by the Ombudsman". I need to find out what legal route they went through that would allow them to get the green light to force entry. Didn't the magistrates ask whether the defendant had responded, or where the claim form was?

I did not. I was advised by CAB to wait to receive Claim and Response form. I thought they would send those after filing their claim with the court. Then I would have a chance to respond in writing and attend a hearing during which they would make an application to force entry if I did not succeed. I am now told that it is at the energy company's or their agent's discretion to send forms. They are not obliged to do so.

Debt collectors on behalf on energy company claimed they had a warrant from Hendon Magistrates to force entry to my home. This had no real cause and energy company had fabricated the debt by not sending bills. They had monthly standing order from me. On receipt of notice from debt collectors I awaited to receive Claim & Response forms from them to defend myself. However, they ambushed me one day with a large team to force entry to my home. I called the police whio told me they had a warrant, and if I resisted, they would arrest me. Afterwards when I contacted for a copy of so called warrant, the Administer of Justice at the court told me there were no warrants "as such". The energy company takes a batch of claims to the magistrates who summarily gives them the OK for forced entry. She said I could not make an appeal and I had to take legal action against all of them. Where do I stand here? Whom should I go to. My credit card company is willing to help me to get the money (£3000.00 they got on that day to go away) providing I gave them details such as claim number and warrant. They would not let me see the so called warrant on that day. The police in their support told me if they brought the warrant close to me I might grab and tear it! Did the magistrates commit misconduct in public office? Did the energy company or debt collectors went against human rights and harassment laws? please help urgently, I am desperate. msshe

Dual account, indeed! as you say, it's not cheaper. I first got the electricity account with them. Once that was setup, I opened a gas account as well. I have it all in writing when they then set up a dual account on their own accord. This dual account contained the two individual account numbers as well as having it's own account number. They then forgot all about it, and started to bill individually until 2009 when they decided to set up another dual account with just one DD. Prior to that, I had 2 DD s for electricity and gas respectively! I am afraid they do have a spreadsheet that I prepared to showed them my payments, but to date, they have refused to investigate or even acknowledge the receipt!. As you advised, I have now asked them for my SAR, however I am going to write a letter now to include the points you have suggested. I hope they don't mess me about with the SAR. Shall I also call the electricity account 'in dispute' too, as last month they made me send a cheque for £1k as they put it" for outstanding electricity balance". Under pressure, I made this payment despite the knowledge that I did not owe them any outstanding amounts_ _my DD payments had already accumulated substantial credit for electricity. I thought it would keep them quiet and at the end, we will work it out into the total balance. Was I wrong? many many thanks for your help, I truly appreciate it.

Many thanks for your advice re. asking for SAR, I shall do that with confidence, no doubt it would give me a firmer position. May I also trouble you with one or two other issues. (1): Against my repeated requests for current bills, they refused to send any since their alleged demands started. Indeed gas account was in dispute but we did not have a problem with electricity. They had regular readings and could have issued bills. I wrote that whilst dispute with gas was on going, nevertheless I would like to pay for my current usage, gas and electric. Do I have a point here? (2): From the beginning, they set up a dual account as part of the initial contract, I have a copy of this. However, they never referred to that account number further on. They issued separate bills for gas and electricity under initial individual account numbers, affecting stated DD amounts to electricity but not to gas. In 2009 they informed me that they had set up a dual account with a single DD. DD ref. numbers on bank statements referred to new dual account number from then on. Is this significant? should they have carried on according to initial Contract and with details of Dual account_ at least till 2009? (3): I now note that Prior to new dual account, DD ref numbers on bank statements referred to different individual gas and electricity account numbers which did not match with those on the bills. Somewhere, they chose to use different account numbers on the bills issued. However, bills still showed my meters serial numbers. Do I have a point here? (4): With back billing for one year, if I don't manage to prove they have had meter readings, can I still follow that path. And if so, what happens to all the moneys (£5K) I paid towards their incorrect billing.

Many thanks Surfer01 for your speedy advice. I shall do re. electricity meter as you said. How can I change suppliers when I can not resolve this problem. I thought others would not accept me as long as there is a dispute, is there a way? or do you think I can change my electricity account, bearing in mind that sometimes npower refers to my account as Dual although they have been charging two DD a month. I have only two initial bills with actual figures. The rest are all estimated. I have argued with them a number of times throughout the years but never succeeded. Re. they should be reading the meter at least once every two years! Indeed they did, many times over, but they deny it now. I have also had bouts of reminder attacks in the past when they were sending 4 identical requests in a day_dated the same_ for my meter readings - not for their agent to do it. On each instance, I telephoned and gave them the readings. On a number of times, when I complained about repeated requests, when I had already supplied them, they apologised. They have left notes of their visits to read the meter whilst giving me the option to read it myself. At times, as and when they called in, which happened a number of times a year, I just let them in to read it.. They are now falsely claiming that they never got access, and apart from my dates and meter reading notes, I don't seem able to prove it otherwise. In that case, would I lose the battle, or is there a way? I have checked the meter number, it is mine. However, looking at my bills, in 2009, they seem to have changed my dual account number, and where individual gas and electricity accounts are stated within that account, those differ from initial account numbers I have had from 2006 and my Contract details. Accordingly, their DD reference numbers on my bank statements reflect this change. But what good would this discovery do me, I wonder. I got rid of first debt collector with a lot of difficulty, they then employed a more aggressive one who was persistent to come in. Is it legal that he read out my meter without my permission? Can I make an objection? and should I be paying for their costs as npower is asking. How can I tell npower that they can not go back for more than 1 year? If they succeed with their false no access claim, then can I still follow the one year limit line? Sorry to trouble, I am trying to establish ways I can defend myself. With all my documents and bills kept since 2005, I thought I would be able to prove something, but what?

Having had Dual accounts with them since 2005 and paying whatever their DD asked for, they suddenly produced a table of calculations which did not make sense. Fictitious estimated yearly gas balances for the past 6 years were marked as "cancelled", and the new balances shown amounted to more than £12k. I now note that, for the first 2 bills produced, they made a mistake, using 4 digits of readings as opposed to 5. I always provided 5 figure readings to them. From then on they ignored actual readings provided to them. Problem becomes complex whereby, because the account is dual, parts of bills for electricity usage seem to appear in order, whilst the parts for gas usage are either missing or showing '5 digit' estimated figures throughout the years. I have a number of my handwritten notes with dates and meter readings I supplied to them. I also have hand written notes of my complaints to them on the phone urging them to use actual readings. They also, on number of occasions had their own man read the meters of which I do not have a record. Question1: Can they ask me to back pay for that long even if calculations were correct? Question2: They claim they have had no meter readings. How can I use my hand written notes as evidence to challenge them? Question3: My payments to them _as shown on bank statements are denied by them. On examining DD payments, I note many of payment Ref. numbers do not match my account numbers, nor their ID number. Assorted account numbers are shown against my payments. Is that significant? Question4: On their demand notice/bill for 12k, I note, they have used a different account number to mine, however, the meter serial number matches mine. The bill is certainly issued to me, it does not belong to another user. Is that significant and if so, how do I address this issue? Question5: Above started on April of this year, all my attempts to get an answer failed, until June when I asked my solicitors to handle it_too much stress as they harassed me with debt collectors calling in at night. Nevertheless, I have not had any success. Lots of direct letters promising to investigate together with number of demands and, at the same time, 'refusing' to call off debt collectors. The latest is accompanied with yet another meaningless set of calculations reaching at the same alleged amount. Question6: Today, I received a letter from them, with yet another set of nonsense figures. They now ask me to pay for the last 2 years, admitting their mistake with 4 digits. It is to point out that their mistake with 4 digit was rectified shortly when they started to produce 5 digit estimates. However, they say they do that as a gesture of good will! They persist on their allegation of having no meter readings. They are asking me to pay around £4k, and to set up a DD for £300.00 a month. None of these figures make sense, and I do not accept their calculations of past 2 years which is again based on false accounting. Which Rules/Codes of conduct should I be referring to regarding all above? If I ever resolve this, can I ask for compensation with view to their negligence, delay, appointing 2 debt collectors and charging their costs to me and reading my meter which is within boundary of my home without my permission. Question7: They now want to change my electricity meter, they say is old, how can I hold them back until all matters are resolved as there seem to be problems with electricity figures as well_ they have, at times, alleged that all my payments were towards electricity usage! I am sorry for such long letter, I am not very familiar with your procedures, I am just so desperate for your guidance. Thanks

Well, a bank wanted to satisfy themselves of my ID and signature BUT when I presented my passport at the branch and then signed in their presence, they claimed they were not satisfied with my signature. They did not release documents to me regardless of how many credit cards and other iD's I showed them!!! how about that ?

Hi, citizenB I requested SAR from HSBC. Now I have two problems. Despite many correspondence sent to my home address, they have become difficult with sending SAR documents. They insist I should collect them from a branch with my passport. My problem is that, the last time I visited their branch to collect some papers - not connected with current case, they gave me a hard time. I had taken a folder of previous correspondence together with my passport. They would not release papers, saying that they had doubts with my signature! So at any cost, I would avoid a repeat of that. I have pointed out their various correspondences, giving reference numbers. I insist they should send the papers with recorded delivery - if they are unhappy with my ID, then they must have been negligent with previous documents sent. So far, we are haggling. In addition, I don't think it is to my benefit to have verbal contact with them. They have proved to be dishonest and decietfull. My other problem is that while the haggling goes on, they have also written separately claiming they could not provide complete documents as "they currently do not have access to one of their sources! - whatever that means! I have pointed out that it is now more than 50 days since I asked for SAR and they are in breach of the law. MAY I PLEASE have your advice. what can I do? Do I have a leg to stand on? many thanks for your advice.

I had similar problem a few years back with my gas meter. Unfortunately I was not aware of consequences of meter changes. A different company insisted by threatening me with Court action to change my meter. So they did and I had many problems like yours. However, I am having similar problems with npower insisting on changing my electricity meter - it was inspected just a few months back and the inspector assured me that meter was in perfect order. despite that I have received 15 letters,so far, to let them in to change it! I may sound mad, but I've come to believe there must be an agenda behind the persistence. I have a number of friends who are having very similar problems which are nothing to do with their usage. After the meter was changed, they have received huge unjustified bills. I keep looking on Cag to find what the real story is, where can I find info? regards

I had a car accident. My Insurance brokers said I would be contacted by their legal teams to handle personal injury, Legal Loss and car repair. I gave a particular contact detail to underwriters which no one else had. The next day, I was contacted by an individual - no details given - who claimed they had been asked by my insurers to contact and register my claim. The under writers and insurance companies were the only 2 who were in a position to give out my unique contact details. The next day, I was contacted to inform that a representative would be visiting me, at home, as I was suffering from the accident. The person, by deception and under very peculiar circumstances, extracted every personal detail from me, driving license, utilities, signature, National Security no. etc. She warned me that claim may not be registered as I refused to give her my passport! I did not. I found out about the [problem] within hours after she left and, wrote to whatever name - without addresses!- I could find on the papers - which I had forced out of her to photocopy. She was not going to leave any and, she would not let me have a glance at the papers. Apparently, a Debt Collection agency/CRA/Data gatherers who's details I managed to trace on internet had carried out this. I also found the name of the solicitors who worked with them. Unfortunately I did sign some papers which I knew nothing of contents. I was injured, sedated and dragged out of bed. In addition, she said that my insurance co. had to register these details on that very day. When, again, I refused to sign, she told me I could cancel it within 7 days. I am a novice and have never made a claim of this nature. The only valid addresses I sent my cancellation notices to, were the solicitors and insurance co. The others names I found were bogus. So my instructions to cancel info gathering/collection/etc were effectively sent nowhere. The next day, on the receipt of another claim form, I contacted both the insurance company and the under writers to find out to whom they had passed on my contact details, they both said they had not. They claim they had only commissioned the car repairers to get in touch. Shortly after I said I was going to the police, I was contacted again by my insurance co. who interviewed me in detail. At the moment all I have is details of solicitors and the name and address of the company who extracted info and signature. I am very worried. Every piece of personal data has been exposed to unknown people. I want to get them but how do I start? I shall report to police today. However, I want to write to both, to stop them using or retaining my data. The two and, perhaps some others, can claim they have already carried out work and, either charge or retain/ use my personal data. I did register all my letters. I NEED URGENT HELP! who is at fault? who is responsible, insurance companies? what should I do with the criminal gang? Should I contact them? Do I have to get a lawyer? Many thanks

I have followed this thread with interest and I think I could benefit from actions taken. My utility company has taken me to court for previous owner's usage. I was abroad when this happened. It seems that debt collection agencies got involved too. Default is now registered against me. I'd like to sort this out by reminding them that, on the telephone, I had notified them accordingly, yet they chose to ignore it. Do you think, like you, I can sue them for logging a default in the absence of contract to pay for previous owners? Can I please have some advice urgently........many thanks

hi there, I am so moved by your story. Well done! there should be many more people like you to take the fight against such mighty organisations. I also fought against a giant bank some years ago and, yes! I had to deal with unprecedented intimidations. They corrupted 2 legal teams of mine and threatened my witnesses. I won! after 12 years and, I did it practically all by myself. Meanwhile, all people around me including many legal advisors discouraged me but I did not give up. So keep going and you WILL succeed. I am afraid your case is different to yours and I can't legally be helpful. Perhaps you can advise me with my new fight. How did you get your story to the media? how did you find a good legal team/ all the best

I wonder if I could benefit from this case. Can I take similar action against utility company who, whilst I was abroad, took me to court for debts owed by previous owners of my flat? I had explain to them more than once and over telephone that debt did not belong to me. However, on my return, I see that I have been taken to court and also default has been registered against me with DCAs and CRAs. Do you think I can go down same route?

many thanks for your reply I shall do as you said. My only concern is that it starts from 1990 and whether it is too late to take action. sorry for taking liberty but I am now under pressure to let them change my electricity meter. Has anyone had similar problem with their electricity meter?

help.. how can I claim thousands of pounds back from British Gas. I changed to nPower 3 years ago. I have had a meter which is based on cubic ft usage. However, I have been wrongly charged based on cubic m. In 2008 I suspected that something was up when Accuread - their appointed meter readers started a campaign to change my meter, even threatened me with court action. To cut the story short, I managed to keep the meter to investigate at a later date. I have just come across this issue on this forum. Now, I know why they were so persistent! I have kept all details such as bills, records of my complaints in around 1990s and their written letters of inspection on a number of occasions. Can I claim all the moneys back considering that my quick calculations show the amount in question would be around £25000.00!! Based on the history of my complaints - regarding the meter and Accuread, can I go back all the way to 1990s? How should I go about it? Has anyone done it before? many thx