Collections Question

[af1snaikboi]

I just found out that I was wrongly charged for electricity in my old apartment in that it was not shut off until 3 months after my move out date.

A collections agency has just contacted me to pay the bill. They claimed to have my social security number (highly doubtful) as well as my name (which was spelled incorrectly by the representative and was wrong the whole time on the electricity bill)

Considering that:
A) I was wrongly charged
B) I was at a very temporary address (6 months)
C) they have my name down incorrectly
D) doubtful they have my SS #

Would this possibly carry on with me down the road (Credit score etc)?

Thanks

 

[Michigan Planner]

I know that it is quite common for electric companies to report payment information to the credit bureaus so I would not be too surprised if they do have your information and that it would appear as a negative mark on your credit report.

You can alway check your credit report for free at annualcreditreport.com and see if it shows up that you have an account with your local energy provider listed on there or if something from them has already gone to collections.

If it's still relatively recent that all of this transpired, I would contact the electric company first with a copy of the paperwork from your previous landlord that your lease had indeed ended and you vacated the property and hope that that is sufficient to get the issue squared away. If you moved out and never notified the electric company to tell them to shut off the power you may still be liable as many lease agreements make that the tenant's responsibility.