Family member has fallen Ill. I need to ID who the energy retailers are so nothing gets shut off.
Who should I contact?
Help: How to Identify Utility Services at a Property?
shroomish on 23/04/2025 - 11:12
Last edited 23/04/2025 - 12:16 by 1 other user
Last edited 23/04/2025 - 12:16 by 1 other user
Comments
The bills will eventually arrive.
Thats the best way to find out.Alternatively look somewhere for a file of past bills paid or at thier bank account.
thier
Classic Dr Phil / Hewhoknows / Amazingone
Good detective work, I didn't realise HeWhoKnob has had a rebrand, ditch the name once the downvotes pile up and the brand’s too toxic to salvage. Reputation reset complete, until the next typo gives it away.
True if they are paper bills but problem is these days lots of people only get email bills.
Most of my old bills are saved in email folders but only my wife has access to our bank account.
Depends on their individual situation.
Good luck - you could try ringing all of the utility providers but even if you found the right one(s) they would likely refuse to confirm citing privacy reasons.
Chances are that no one will tell you due to 'privacy'. There isnt a central site that records which retailer is providing which property (or at least not one that is accessible). You may just have to hang around the letterbox and wait for letters to come in - even if the bills are sent by email, they will send physical letters before cutting anything off.
Otherwise find a retailer that services that area, call them up and ask if they are providing to the house or can tell you who is. But chances are 'privacy' will be the answer, unless you have a power of attorney.
Surely there is a bill somewhere in the mail or pile of papers.
Unlikely anything will be immediately shut off with good prior notification……. they usually do this via snail mail too.
They might only get email bills. Bank statements could also be all online.
If you'll be taking responsibility ongoing, I'd just treat it like a new move-in. Might get some cheaper plans along the way.
also, get the ball rolling with their finances. I've had to start doing it with my parents, and it's a pain in the ass.
Look for statements, letters, or even if you have bank records to see where the money is going.
Very unlikely they will cut off services until the 3 or 4 late notice.
I'd just wait for the bills or late notice.
I'd just wait for the bills or late notice.
Most bills are emailed these days.
I'm assuming it's an older person and they still get snail mail.
If emailed, well even better ad is easier to find.
If emailed, well even better ad is easier to find.
Have you tried getting somebody else's email password reset ???
@jv: I couldn't tell you who my current utility companies are as I switch whenever I get a price increase.
who the energy retailers are so nothing gets shut off. Who should I contact?
Wait for the bills to arrive, if an older person, most likely via snail mail, otherwise you'll need access to their email.
As for gaining access, most retailers won't confirm anything as you are not the 'owner' of the account.
If you have access to their place, have a look around for old bills.
If you sign up to a new provider do they look after cancelling the old one? At least then you’ll know for sure I spose 🤷🏻♂️
They do. You'll likely get a call from the current provider with an offer to get you to stay. Win, win.
And here it is, folks, the reason why everyone should have an insert book - the ones with the plastic sleeves - with the most recent copy of every utility etc bill in it. I update mine when I change insurance providers, mobile, ISP etc and I've made sure my next of kin knows where to find it. Also a general power of attorney so that someone else can manage things for you if you're incapacitated.
Very good idea but I get everything sent electronically.
Wife has access to my emails.
I get most things electronically too but it only takes a minute to print something out when you change providers.
If you dont have a printer?
Maybe its as simple as writing the name of provider and acocunt number/customer ID on a piece of paper somewhere.
I really should do this. Recently couldnt remember who our vehicle insuance was with. Couldnt find it up online. Turns out id purchased a policy from our current insurer, but they hadnt linked it to the other policies to be able to see it on their portal. Took a phone call to the comany to check it then get it linked to the others
Family member has fallen Ill
By the way you've worded this it seems the family member isn't incapable of communicating. Please correct me if that is wrong. So… can you just ask the family member either if they remember which company it is with or if they can give you access to their emails so you can do the digging to find out?
You are going to have a big problem here. I was recently given power of attorney for an ill friend but they had not listed any of their financial details anywhere. These days it’s almost impossible to do the job if the person hasn’t prepared properly before hand. It’s going to be a massive amount of work for you.
If you know the postcode you should be able to workout the wholesaler.
Privacy act bs will probably stop them from telling you the retailer but hopefully common sense prevails.