Energy debt for an address I never lived at: who helps?

Summary

If a debt collector chases an energy debt for an address you never lived at, dispute it in writing straight away with both the collector and the original supplier. FCA rules expect collectors to pause recovery while a dispute on valid grounds is checked. Complain to the energy supplier and, after 8 weeks or a final response, take it to the Energy Ombudsman. Complaints about how the collector behaves go to the Financial Ombudsman. If it is on your credit file, dispute it with the credit reference agencies. Do not pay a debt that is not yours just to stop the letters.

Key information

• Gather proof of where you lived at the time: tenancy agreements, council tax bills, bank statements, electoral roll.
• Ask the collector for the account details: address, dates, and how they linked it to you.
• Debt sold on: the buyer becomes the creditor. Your dispute still goes to them, and your complaint about the original billing goes to the supplier.
• Check all three credit files (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion). Dispute any wrong entry and add a notice of correction if needed.
• If someone may have used your name, report it to Action Fraud and consider Cifas protective registration.
• Never ignore court papers. If a claim form arrives, respond by the deadline and say you dispute it.
• The energy supplier can: investigate the account and confirm who was responsible for the address; recall the debt from the collector and correct credit reporting if they got it wrong. They will not always act quickly. Keep your complaint in writing so the 8 week clock starts.
• The Energy Ombudsman can: review the supplier's handling after 8 weeks or a deadlock letter, for free; order the supplier to correct the account, fix credit records and pay compensation. They will not look at it before you complain to the supplier, or regulate the debt collector. Start at the Energy Ombudsman.
• Citizens Advice can: explain energy billing rights on problems with your energy bill; explain what collectors can and cannot do on action your creditor can take. They will not write to the collector for you in most cases or represent you in court.
• The ICO can: take a complaint if a company keeps wrong data about you on your credit file after you have asked it to correct it. They will not decide whether you owe the debt.

Practical guidance

• Write to the debt collector: you dispute the debt, you never lived at that address, and you ask them to pause and send evidence.
• Write to the energy supplier with your proof of address and ask them to recall the debt.
• Check your credit files and dispute any wrong entry.
• After 8 weeks, or a final response, complain to the Energy Ombudsman.
• If the collector keeps chasing during the dispute, complain to them, then to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
• Free debt advice if things escalate: StepChange or National Debtline.
• Ask the Shaman to plan the letters.

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