More than half the UK's water suppliers have been sending their customers "unacceptable" debt collection letters, the BBC has learned.
The letters appear to be from an external debt agency, but are actually from the water companies themselves. The news follows the revelation of similar practices in banks, energy firms and the payday lender, Wonga. The water companies say they have a duty to tackle bad debt and the letters are sent only as a last resort. Twelve of the UK's largest water suppliers told You and Yours on Radio 4 that they had taken part in the practice, while five said they are still doing it or might continue to do so in future. Typically, the name of the debt collection company appears in large print at the top. Often the small print reveals it is linked to the water company, but sometimes no link is made.
'Unacceptable'
Yorkshire Water has been sending letters to some customers in arrears under the name Rockford Debt Collections Ltd. The stationery has since been changed. While the large Rockford Debt Collections name remains, small print at the bottom now mentions the link with Yorkshire Water. The energy regulator Ofgem, which has reviewed similar practice by energy suppliers, said that type of layout is still "unacceptable".......Read more here