I would like to share this to help you campaign, it is something I am experiencing at present but I would like to call for solidarity rather than advice for now. Energy debts are a big problem, often a knock on from gov cuts. But energy resources occur freely in nature, and yet they are being sold back to us, and then we are bullied if we can't pay ever rising prices. The 'green' companies never deal with the first issue! Even and especially ethical companies such as Co-op and Ecotricity are harsh with debts. I've had threats to have 'debts' sold - what does that say about their ethics? They are happy if you autopay without query, but if you want your usage checked and you think you're paying too much, the service is very different. And if you need help to spread your costs, that's different again. We can't get utility benefits, and yet it's not something we can get out of paying - unless we do harness the growing free utilities movement. Government discount schemes miss many vulnerable people - eg only those on certain benefits, not those who've lost them. I know an example personally of someone who a non big 6 company failed to put on a discount scheme they applied to several times; the bills accrued whilst a complaint was processed, exacerbated by the ombudsman who tried to do an unofficial deal with the customer that cut corners for them and benefitted the energy co (an enforced payment plan when they had no money) whilst sounding as if they'd given a little compensation to the customer - a paltry ammount compred to the bills that continued to rise. I've noticed generally that ombudsmen throw out more cases, award less (often nothing) to customers even in serious cases of poverty caused by the company, and elongate things for up to three years - meanwhile, demanding 5 day turnarounds from the customer who complained. Ombudsmen need to be fair, accountable (ie have their own assessor to look at their behaviour) and to have the right to appeal against their decisions. Debt companies confessed to me that their letters etc go out automatically - even emails to call them within 4 hours! They do not check the story of the account, the wording is generic (so it says 'despite our many letters' when there's been no communication). Collections depts and companies are interested in clearing a "debt" and gaining from it, not in asking what the outstanding amount is and why or even if it's really there. They encourage contact by phone calls - where the customer does not retain proof of what's said. I always insist on writing. We use 'debt' emotively, even on here - but it's a term that needs unpicking, for supposedly owing is not the same as actually being obliged to pay something, fairly and morally. We have a system based on owing and fear, and the legitmacy of pursuing "debts" in a manner befitting crime; of our status being dependant on whether we're a debtor or creditor. Whether it's over your water bill or other matters, this system needs to stop and we need to reframe our thinking and practices on this matter.