Ok it will be interesting as although in theory it is Scottish Power who SHOULD of been billing me, infact no one did for several years and eventually it was British Gas who billed me. Confused.com!

I too am puzzled by this. Scottish Power said that it didnt exist when I first tried to switch. I said it did because the previous tenant was being billed!! At some point they cottoned onto the fact that it existed as the bills started to come, but as I say no meter no on the bill. Weird weird weird. And still despite the fact that I have received a bill they still say there is only one meter registered at the property.

Thank you very much indeed for your reply dx100uk If I do come clean, do you think they could charge me for the years I wasn't getting billed?

Dear All I would be very grateful for some advice if anyone is up for going through this with me... When I moved into my flat eight years ago I phoned the gas company, Scottish Power, to say that I had moved in and to give them readings. They insisted that there was only one gas supply to the property when infact there were two. I tore my hair out over the phone several times trying to prove this, providing them with necessary info. It was strange and frustrating because the previous tenant was getting billed normally. No gas bill came from Scottish Power. Occasionally a letter from British Gas came for a tenant who had lived at the property before the previous tenant. These bills would always have a zero balance ie no gas used and no meter readings. 18 months ago a bill came addressed to the tenant that had lived at the property before the previous tenant (ie 11 years ago) for gas used from Sep 11 to Jan 12 , at £550 rather a large bill for 4 months but not as big as a six and a half year so, I paid it in full. Then I set up a dual fuel account in my name with another cheaper company and have been paying them by direct debit ever since. However, after a while I noticed that despite the permission I gave to First Utility to transfer the account over to me, the gas element was still not being billed for. Also I was still getting gas bills from British Gas addressed to the previous tenant with no meter readings or gas meter serial number. I didn't pay the gas bills as they never had meter readings and I knew that at least I was paying another company. I didn't get reminder letters from British Gas, so just let the situation roll on, (falsely?) secure in the knowledge that at least I was paying First Utility I have finally been called to action ie sorting this out, as there is now a disconnection notice! I phoned British Gas yesterday to see why there was a disconnection notice. They said, they only have one gas meter registered at the address on the land registry. Can I please supply them with my move in date and the serial number of the gas meter pertaining to my flat. I said I would get back to them with these details. I explained that I have been paying another company and they said that they suspect that because the previous tenant did not say she was moving out they still have her registered and therefore the transfer did not go through. They asked me to check with my supposed supplier whether gas is being billed for, it isnt although I am still paying. What now I want to a a) avoid disconnection b) avoid having to pay a bill from before Sep 11 Would I have to back pay given that I did originally inform Scottish Power that I had taken over the gas bill on commencement of tenancy but after repeated attempts to convince them I had a meter they did not bill me? Thanks so much DD67

Today my mobile rang several times with a suspicious number 12345678. I did not answer it as thought it may be BCW. Does that sound likely? Thanks in advance for your opinion.

Thanks guinless:-)

Thanks very much uncle b. Yes, it was indeed an automated message and my name was not used. Thank goodness for this forum, I feel so much calmer knowing how to manage the calls and what to do. Lets see what happens next, I suppose at the moment I don't really know what I am dealing with. I will post again if thats ok if I get a letter. In the meantime I will not entertain any discussions if they phone again. Thanks a million.

Thank you so much Stigman, I truly appreciate the advice.

Hello All this is my first post. I have received what I suspected was a suspicious automated phone message from Buchannon Clark and Wells asking me to call them back with a unique ref number. I googled them and discovered that they are a debt collection agency. I am not aware of any debts ie have had no letters from any company asking me for money that I have not paid. I suspect it relates to the following and would REALLY appreciate your advice. When I moved into my flat six and a half years ago I phoned the gas company, scottish power, to say that I had moved in and to give them readings. They insisted that there was only one gas supply to the property when infact there were two. No gas bill came for my flat. Occasionally a letter from British Gas came for the previous tenant with a bill for nothing ie no gas used. I thought one day it would catch up with me and it has. I wish now of course I had perservered with proving that there were indeed two supplies but I didnt. Recently a bill for £485 came for the previous tenant for gas used from sep 11 to jan 12. I paid it in full and then set about switching companies. So I suspect Buchannon Clark and Wells are after me now for the gas bills that I have not been receiving. I am a single parent on income support with a disabled child and have no assets or savings. I dont know whether to phone them to find out what the debt is and who its owed to... british gas or scottish power. r to wait until I hear from the gas company. Any advice would be very gratefully received.