[suej]

Hi, i'm not an EON next customer but my mother was until her death back in January. I sent in the final gas reading and was issued a cheque for the credit amount which was cashed in June this year.
I'm now getting letters and emails from a company called Phillips and Cohen who say this amount is outstanding and i need to arrange payment from the estate.
I have emailed them to explain but they don't seem to take any notice and today have sent me another email regarding payment. I have also used twitter messaging to try to get this across to EON next who reply saying they have noted this and amended the account but obviously they haven't.

Anybody had any similar experiences or know of this company Phillips Cohen. As i'm not even an EON customer i shouldn't have to be messed about like this.
Thanks for any advice.

[meldrewreborn]

@suej

companies sometimes pass on alleged debts to others for a fee and then wash their hands of the matter. It’s distasteful for this to happen, but if you are certain of your position I would write back denying that any debt is attributable to you, demand that they stop hassling you, and send you written confirmation that they will drop their allegations.

From experience I can tell you these companies are used to that sort of reply and will continue to pester. Asking for proof of the debt might cause them to think again.

[Tommysgirl]

@suej
if you have any written proof from Eon of the final reading and a statement showing there was nothing outstanding to be paid, I would print a copy and send it to them as an email attachment, or by signed for post with a letter. If they still pester you, I'd think about contacting someone like Citizens Advice for help. 😀

[retrotecchie]

@suej

Phillips Cohen appear to be a firm specialising in winding up affairs of the deceased, from what I gather. Might just be worth writing to them, registered post, and explaining that you have already dealt with matters.

https://phillips-cohen.co.uk/

[suej]

Thanks for the helpful replies. I will firstly email Phillips Cohen with proof that the cheque was a refund and not a debt (i have the cheque because it was paid into my bank using the photo app). I also have the letter from EON next stating that a refund was being issued for the amount back in April.

[retrotecchie]

@suej

Fingers crossed, that will do the trick for you.

[Tommysgirl]

Originally Posted by suej

Thanks for the helpful replies. I will firstly email Phillips Cohen with proof that the cheque was a refund and not a debt (i have the cheque because it was paid into my bank using the photo app). I also have the letter from EON next stating that a refund was being issued for the amount back in April.

Great that you've got proof you can send them. Hopefully that will sort it for you. 😀👍

[Anasa_EONNext]

@suej Anasa here 👋 I'm so sorry for your loss, sounds like you are doing the right thing so far, hopefully you'll get this resolved but please get in touch and let us know if you need any further help with this or just let us know that it's been sorted - Take care.

[meldrewreborn]

Originally Posted by retrotecchie

@suej

Phillips Cohen appear to be a firm specialising in winding up affairs of the deceased, from what I gather. Might just be worth writing to them, registered post, and explaining that you have already dealt with matters.

https://phillips-cohen.co.uk/

AS you say on their website they post (my emphasis added)

"Phillips & Cohen Associates (UK), Ltd. built its reputation in the credit industry by providing specialised compassionate engagement services to clients, enabling them to realise additional recoveries and deliver tangible “Treating Customers Fairly” process enhancements. We are an award-winning industry leader providing expert niche services recognised for our unique and compassionate style of customer interaction. Phillips & Cohen Associates (UK), Ltd. currently works with over 70 of the UK’s largest creditors across a wide range of industry sectors, including banking, finance, home shopping, utility, telecom, debt purchase, local government & central government.

So the client (like E.On Next has an alleged debt on their books, but don't have the expertise to deal with it themselves, so they either engage a firm like Phillips-Cohen (or sell the debt to them) and then at least they'll make some recovery of the debt they think they've got, whereas if dealt with internally they'd have got nowt.

The trouble is that these firms can be very persistent and aggressive. There are only a couple of reviews on trustpilot - neither are good.

When there is a bereavement the account of the deceased is effectively frozen and any debit or credit dealt with by the executors/administratore. But supplies to the property live on and a new person, once again the executor/administrator, becomes liable for the charges, until either the property is vacated or sold. It's not clear to me what the solicitors are claiming and it will be different in each case.

But it gets complicated with another party becoming involved and in my view is a practice that shouldn't be followed.

[retrotecchie]

@meldrewreborn

Yes, they come under the same umbrella as all the rest of the 'ambulance chasers' in my opinion.