British Gas - payment of bills

VickyA_2

We've just had a red bill through the post from British Gas for our previous property. The bill is in OH's name, but I've always been able to phone them and sort out the bills, give meter readings, pay bills etc over the 'phone.

Until now. I paid a bill a few weeks ago for a substantial amount (electricity) because they had failed to bill us for 9 months. That was fine, they took MY payment over the 'phone. So, this red bill for our last few weeks of electricity usage turns up - which I know OH has paid. I phone up to double check that the payment has gone through (I get paranoid and lose sleep, sad I know!) - but this time, they can't discuss the account with me because it's breaking the Data Protection Act as my name isn't the name on the bill.

If this is the case, WHY have I been able to pay bills in the past and give meter readings to them? Surely that would have been the same case? And why on earth were they willing for me to pay a large bill a month ago on the exact same account?

But don't worry, as I can go on the internet and try and pay my bill on line, where evidently the data protection act doesn't operate...................

RichyRich

I believe that the DPA states that they are not allowed to disclose information about the account to you. Therefore if you were just ringing to make payments on previous occasions, they're not actually disclosing anything - just letting you pay them - in the same way I can go down to the bank and pay money into my sister's/girlfriend's/next-door neighbour's bank account [well; I could if I had any, but that's another story]. Same with giving meter readings - they;re not actually telling you anything about the account. However if you ask, "has this been paid?" they're not allowed to tell you.

Hope this helps

Rich

Oh, and P.S. - The DPA certainly does apply on the internet!