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sudden big bill

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  • 20-05-2009 7:57pm
    #1
    Bob Z
    Registered Users Posts: 2,587 ✭✭✭


    What do you do if you get a suddenly big esb bill and the esb wont talk to you because its not your name on the bill?

    Its not me a family member. They cant get the bill changed to their name because they cant afford the deposit they will have to pay


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    #2
    Mr. Presentable
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,496 ✭✭✭Mr. Presentable


    You could pay it. They don't care who does.

    They could ignore it since it isn't in their name.

    Get whoever the bill is for to pay it.


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    #3
    Bob Z
    Registered Users Posts: 2,587 ✭✭✭Bob Z


    nipplenuts wrote: »
    You could pay it. They don't care who does.

    They could ignore it since it isn't in their name.

    Get whoever the bill is for to pay it.

    Its not my bill. its a family member. Their bill is usually around an average of 50 euro a month. However their latest bill is 250 euro. Because her name isnt on the bill she cant talk to them ask why its suddenly so high or if their is a mistake


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    #4
    Cabaal
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,497 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    Bob Z wrote: »
    What do you do if you get a suddenly big esb bill and the esb wont talk to you because its not your name on the bill?

    The ESB would be in breach of the Data Protection Act if they did talk to you about the bill and they could be liable for a massive fine from the Data Protection Commissioner.

    Unless they bill is changed to your name then they are doing nothing wrong here :)


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    #5
    Cabaal
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,497 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    Bob Z wrote: »
    Its not my bill. its a family member. Their bill is usually around an average of 50 euro a month. However their latest bill is 250 euro. Because her name isnt on the bill she cant talk to them ask why its suddenly so high or if their is a mistake

    50e a month....look at previous bills were they estimated?
    If they were then that explains the high bill as its most likely a proper reading


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    #6
    Random
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,080 ✭✭✭✭Random


    Little confused by the OP.

    Your family members ESB bill is in someone elses name because your family member can't get an account with them. - Fair enough.
    The bill is unusually high - fair enough.
    ESB won't deal with the family member as it's not their account - fair enough.

    So who pays the bill? Can they ring the ESB for them to query it? Can they ring the ESB for them and pass the phone to the family member to discuss?


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    #7
    Cabaal
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,497 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    Sounds like the bill is in a previous owners name?


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    #8
    Bob Z
    Registered Users Posts: 2,587 ✭✭✭Bob Z


    Random wrote: »
    Little confused by the OP.

    Your family members ESB bill is in someone elses name because your family member can't get an account with them. - Fair enough.
    The bill is unusually high - fair enough.
    ESB won't deal with the family member as it's not their account - fair enough.

    So who pays the bill? Can they ring the ESB for them to query it? Can they ring the ESB for them and pass the phone to the family member to discuss?

    Its my sister. She lives in a flat and has lived their for about 6 or 7 years. The bill is in the name of the person who owns the flat(not the landlord) he is hard to get in touch with. Sister phoned the esb and they wouldnt talk to her. They wouldnt talk to the landlord either


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    #9
    Random
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,080 ✭✭✭✭Random


    Ultimately (unless your sister has some sort of contract with the owner / landlord otherwise I'd imagine) the responsbility for the bill is going to rest with the owner. Leave him a message and let him know you're not paying the bill until you can have it explained? That'll get his attention (provided you go about it the right way).


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    #10
    Bob Z
    Registered Users Posts: 2,587 ✭✭✭Bob Z


    Random wrote: »
    Ultimately (unless your sister has some sort of contract with the owner / landlord otherwise I'd imagine) the responsbility for the bill is going to rest with the owner. Leave him a message and let him know you're not paying the bill until you can have it explained? That'll get his attention (provided you go about it the right way).

    The esb want a deposit of 300 euro to get it changed into her name or get it transferred to direct debit. She doesnt want to do direct debit. Can the deposit be lowered?

    Could the meter be read at this stage or is too late?


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    #11
    smelltheglove
    Registered Users Posts: 4,503 ✭✭✭smelltheglove


    Bob Z wrote: »
    The esb want a deposit of 300 euro to get it changed into her name or get it transferred to direct debit. She doesnt want to do direct debit. Can the deposit be lowered?

    Could the meter be read at this stage or is too late?

    Dont they waive the deposit if you pay direct debit? this is what bord gais do anyway.


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    #12
    Bob Z
    Registered Users Posts: 2,587 ✭✭✭Bob Z


    smelltheglove wrote: »
    Dont they waive the deposit if you pay direct debit? this is what bord gais do anyway.

    yea but she doesnt want to do Direct debit


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    #13
    dlambirl
    Registered Users Posts: 2,062 ✭✭✭dlambirl


    Your sister should of had the ESB changed into her own name. Tell the landlord it needs to be sorted out.


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    #14
    dudara
    Registered Users Posts: 33,518 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    She really needs to try and get in touch with the owner - otherwise he's going to liable for a big bill.


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    #15
    jor el
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,713 ✭✭✭✭jor el


    Bob Z wrote: »
    Could the meter be read at this stage or is too late?

    Depends on how long it's been since the bill was issued, and the due date. She can submit an actual reading online. Did she check the meter to see if it stacks up with what's on the bill? If the reading on the bill is right, then it has to be paid. If it's way off, then the person named on the bill needs to have it corrected.
    Bob Z wrote: »
    yea but she doesnt want to do Direct debit

    She doesn't really have a choice though, does she?


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