Phillips & Cohen - taking a punt?

[waterminx]

Hi

Have started a new thread because I cant find anything more recent than 2008 on these people. Forgive me if I missed sommink - please point me in the right direction if I have.

 

A letter from this bunch of lovlies was recently sent to my deceased fathers address - addressed to 'the executor of the late.....'

 

The letter says two things - 1. they have been instructed by British Gas to collect a debt of £226.88 and 2. that they can help sort out the Probate.

 

Both my parents have not long died. Dad (to whom the letter was directed) died in December, Mum in March. Their affairs were relatively simple and are all sorted. There are - and never have been - any debts whatsoever. The estate is pretty much sorted and its now just a matter of house sale (underway).

It will all be done then.

 

My brother is executor and is meticulous in all things. He has recently received a statement from BG after doing all the final meter readings etc. They inform him that the account is in credit to the tune of £7.00.

 

So - clearly a nasty bunch and no mistake.

 

Question is what to do about it..

 

1. Do we ignore it - throw the letter away and be done? Are they just fishing for a response? What are the potential consequences of doing this?

2. Have BG really passed on the details of my parents death? If so - what can we do to give them a bit of a poke?

3. Do we report P&C to someone, somehow?

 

Looking at CAG and other sites, they have clearly been doing this coffin chasing stuff for a LONG time.

 

It seems I am not the only 'fatherless' one!

 

I am disinclined to contact them - because this will just provide them with information they do not have at the moment - like names, addresses, telephone numbers - which can be used to harrass us.

 

That said... I am aware that this kind of unwanted DCA attention can become a pain over time if we dont nip it in the bud.

 

What to do??

 

WM

Edited August 19, 2012 by waterminx

[dx100uk]

pers i'd ignore them.

 

a dead mn cant get a CCJ

 

they sound like they are phishing

 

dx

[marmaris30]

Clearly there is no debt owing here because your BG statement says so, so your brother should send a stinking letter as Executor by recorded delivery to the Customer Service department at BG, including a copy of the P&C letter, demanding an explanation of why they passed on information to a debt collector without due cause, requiring them to call them off immediately and apologise for the distress caused.

 

Keep the letter because if BG deny all knowledge then you'd need to complain about this firm P&C by another route.

 

If a debt actually was owing then in theory a creditor can sue the Executor, although I've no idea how often that actually happens for small amounts such as the one alleged and you'd receive a Letter before Action if they were stupid enough to try this.

[cerberusalert]

in theory a creditor can sue the Executor,

I would imagine very rarely as the possible publicity would make most creditors think twice. Don't forget Phillips & Cohen will still be acting on behalf of BG.

Phillips & Cohen Associates (UK), Ltd. built its reputation in the debt recovery industry by providing specialised probate collections services to clients.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I am wondering why P&C would be getting in touch when there has been no contact from BG first, especially if BG say the account is in credit. Perhaps P&C are chasing the wrong dead person; I doubt they take much care to ensure they've got the right one, given their usual standards.

 

Were I the executor, I'd just let them know that BG have confirmed there's no debt, and that anything further from P&C will result in a complaint to the OFT. I'd also complain to BG, since these idiots are instructed by them.

[waterminx]

Thanks everyone - my Bro has kicked off with BG ... and we are waiting... still waiting...for a response.

Much obliged.