EDF Energy threatening letter..
Discussion
I had a heart scare a few weeks back, nothing major, it was a case of Atrial Fibrillation, which I am having some follow up investigation work done for, and have just been wearing a heart monitor for 24 hours (took it off 2 hours ago).
I am obviously trying not to get too stressed, as I am fairly sure that was what caused the issue in the 1st place.
Got home from work last night to a letter from EDF. They are about to take me to court, get a court order to gain entry to my home, and sue me for the money that I owe them, which "has been outstanding for far too long"..
Spent half an hour trying to get through to someone, and finally did, when they said "sorry, our mistake, it's a new computer system, please ignore the letter".
I am gobsmacked that they can send letters out like this, "by mistake". My heart condition is not life threatening, but the story could have been very different, I have no idea what the hospital will make of the readings!
I am obviously trying not to get too stressed, as I am fairly sure that was what caused the issue in the 1st place.
Got home from work last night to a letter from EDF. They are about to take me to court, get a court order to gain entry to my home, and sue me for the money that I owe them, which "has been outstanding for far too long"..
Spent half an hour trying to get through to someone, and finally did, when they said "sorry, our mistake, it's a new computer system, please ignore the letter".
I am gobsmacked that they can send letters out like this, "by mistake". My heart condition is not life threatening, but the story could have been very different, I have no idea what the hospital will make of the readings!
Tell the ECG technician - they might find it interesting to see what happened to your heart rate when you got the letter.
I wonder what the legal aspect would be if someone dropped dead as a result of a psychological shock like that. Proof of causation would be the issue, though one would have a lot more evidence if the victim was wearing an ambulant ECG monitor and it could be shown that they suffered a sudden rise in HR followed by a fatal VF arrest just after they were witnessed to open the letter. On the one hand, to say that they send out lots of these letters and most recipients don't die on opening them wouldn't be a defence, as you take your victim as you find him - a shove which wouldn't kill a fit young man but which pushed an old lady over, causing her to fracture her hip and subsequently die from complications could still be regarded as manslaughter or murder. I suppose that a utility company has to show reasonable care (it didn't) to make sure that inappropriate letters don't go out, but can't be held responsible for knowing the health of the recipients.
Be prepared for when you open your phone bill and see what the premium rate call to EDF customer services cost you!
Anyway, pleased to hear that it was a mistake & you're still here. Your cardiologist will discuss the findings and potential causes of AF - some cases have no known cause, some are due to alcohol or coffee, and some due to more important things as you'll have frightened yourself with if you looked it up on the web.
I wonder what the legal aspect would be if someone dropped dead as a result of a psychological shock like that. Proof of causation would be the issue, though one would have a lot more evidence if the victim was wearing an ambulant ECG monitor and it could be shown that they suffered a sudden rise in HR followed by a fatal VF arrest just after they were witnessed to open the letter. On the one hand, to say that they send out lots of these letters and most recipients don't die on opening them wouldn't be a defence, as you take your victim as you find him - a shove which wouldn't kill a fit young man but which pushed an old lady over, causing her to fracture her hip and subsequently die from complications could still be regarded as manslaughter or murder. I suppose that a utility company has to show reasonable care (it didn't) to make sure that inappropriate letters don't go out, but can't be held responsible for knowing the health of the recipients.
Be prepared for when you open your phone bill and see what the premium rate call to EDF customer services cost you!
Anyway, pleased to hear that it was a mistake & you're still here. Your cardiologist will discuss the findings and potential causes of AF - some cases have no known cause, some are due to alcohol or coffee, and some due to more important things as you'll have frightened yourself with if you looked it up on the web.
nomisesor said:
Tell the ECG technician - they might find it interesting to see what happened to your heart rate when you got the letter.
Anyway, pleased to hear that it was a mistake & you're still here. Your cardiologist will discuss the findings and potential causes of AF - some cases have no known cause, some are due to alcohol or coffee, and some due to more important things as you'll have frightened yourself with if you looked it up on the web.
I suspect I already know the cause, I unfortunately lost my job a few weeks ago, and have been a tad stressed about money. This is behind me now, and all is fine, so I am hopefull that it will not be repeated. I had an Electro Cardiogram yesterday, and that did not cause any issues as far as I can tell... I also drink a fair amout of coffee, which as you say, may not help.Anyway, pleased to hear that it was a mistake & you're still here. Your cardiologist will discuss the findings and potential causes of AF - some cases have no known cause, some are due to alcohol or coffee, and some due to more important things as you'll have frightened yourself with if you looked it up on the web.
They can get a court order to disconnect you or switch you to a pre payment meter, however they cannot enter your home even after suing you and obtaining a judgement In order to seize your goods to pay the debt. That said if you don't have any electricity then your pretty stuffed anyway.
Funk said:
I think they're still having issues; I've received letters about my cancelling the DD (which I haven't done). Had to set it back up again yesterday.
From talking to the manager yesterday, it would appear that they are moving from one system to another peice by peice.I have his mobi number should you need it
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