Are energy companies delaying cashback to keep customers?

I switched to EDF Energy, via Top Cashback on 5 August. The cashback was confirmed and listed an expected payment of 30 September.

My energy switch went through without a hitch from EDF. My first payments came out of my bank account in early October. There was a note on my account on Top Cashback to allow another month.

My cashback was still not paid, so on 8 November I submitted an enquiry.

I got the following response:

Hi there,

Thank you for your enquiry.

So that I can give you an update, I have checked this merchant's stats for you and it appears they have paid transactions up to the middle of July therefore, at this stage your transaction is progressing as expected.

Please be aware that certain types of transactions i.e. insurance/fuel/contract, can take longer to reach payable status than usual. This is due to the merchant having a much longer validation period for security reasons, to avoid people purchasing a product/service and then cancelling soon after receiving the cashback (not that in any way I am implying this is something you would do).

We realise in some circumstances that our systems for indicating the estimated payable date are perfect but I do hope that this updates you.

I hope this helps and my apologies that I cannot give you a more definite answer.

Kind Regards,

So are EDF (and other energy companies) dragging their heels over paying cashback to stop customers switching again?

This seems dubious for two reasons:

1. I am legally entitled to switch energy supplier after 28 days, using non-payment of cashback to prevent switching is wrong.

2. Topcashback pay for me to switch, not to stay with the supplier.

I have responded to Topcashback saying that is dubious for the reasons given. I am considering dropping a line to Energywatch (or whatever they are called these days).