Understating reading

bryanb

I have been trying to switch my gas account since 30 Mar. Due to various misunderstandings (not by me) it will finally switch on 10 Jul. I now have to provide a meter reading. I feel that an under reading would mean paying less for some of my recent usage, and make up for some of the inconvenience and extra cost involved.
All gas used will obviously be paid, some will be at the new company's (cheaper) rate.
Although this may be slightly unethical what do people think?

Premier_2

Sounds like deception to me and would only save you a couple of quid at most.

This is moneysavingexpert.com, not moneydefraudingexpert.com.

MATH

I agree with Premier, it is dishonest and to be avoided.

Emmsie21

I wouldn't advise this as a good idea either - you have to pay for your usage no matter who it is to and, although i don't know the full details of why the transfer was held up, problems do happen.

If after a couple of meter reads your new supplier thinks that the start reading is too low then they can raise a dispute with your previous supplier to amend it to a higher reading they feel is more accurate. If your pervious supplier agrees, and generally there is not much reason not to, then both suppliers will rebill your account - you could therefore, in theory, need to pay more to your old supplier than you should have done if you had provided an accurate reading.