Scottish Power, aggressive tactics

dexterlevi

Some months ago I complained to Scottish Power about their tactics in recovering money for outstanding bills. I recieved a reminder on my gas bill which gave me seven days to pay. Got the usual threats about we will send someone to collect etc.I also recived telephone call from them asking if I was in a position to pay over the phone.I had no dispute as to the outstanding few quid they were chasing, but the demanding call for money came before the 7 days given on the reminder was up.

After making the complaint to them they advised that they would investigate my complaint.This must have been well over 3 months ago but they have not bothered to respond.Needless to say I advised them that I would be switching gas suppliers due to their poor customer sevice. However I stayed with them for my electricty supply as at the time they were the best I could find.

Unfortuanatly I found myself at the recieving end of their threats and demands when I recieved a recent electricity bill.

Bill arrived as we went on our holidays early in August. Shortly after returning I recieved the final reminder letter giving me the usual 7 days to pay with the same old threat again that we would send someone around etc,etc.Again I have no issue for paying for the goods I have used.

However their tactics to get the money beggar belief.They posted me the final reminder giving me 7 days to pay which by the time it arrived only allowed me a couple of days.I then recieved a letter from a collection agency which was dated 2 days before the 7 days was up on the final reminder. Scottish Power had passed the matter on to the collection agent before the 7 days expired.

I was able to phone them and pay, this was never the issue. However again Scottish Power have excelled themselves with their poor customer services which I percieve as underhanded and bullying.I put myself in the position of an elderly or vulnerable customer reciving this type of mail. I would think some customers would be terrified knowing that some thug may come to the door demanding money.

These big companies claim to be worried about their customers views, yet behave like this.

Incisor

OK, you are saying 7 days from final reminder. How long is it from date of first bill? And do the bills come as though they were sent promptly? I find bills often arrive 5 days after they are dated.

neil9313

dexterlevi wrote: »

Some months ago I complained to Scottish Power about their tactics in recovering money for outstanding bills. I recieved a reminder on my gas bill which gave me seven days to pay. Got the usual threats about we will send someone to collect etc.I also recived telephone call from them asking if I was in a position to pay over the phone.I had no dispute as to the outstanding few quid they were chasing, but the demanding call for money came before the 7 days given on the reminder was up.

After making the complaint to them they advised that they would investigate my complaint.This must have been well over 3 months ago but they have not bothered to respond.Needless to say I advised them that I would be switching gas suppliers due to their poor customer sevice. However I stayed with them for my electricty supply as at the time they were the best I could find.

Unfortuanatly I found myself at the recieving end of their threats and demands when I recieved a recent electricity bill.

Bill arrived as we went on our holidays early in August. Shortly after returning I recieved the final reminder letter giving me the usual 7 days to pay with the same old threat again that we would send someone around etc,etc.Again I have no issue for paying for the goods I have used.

However their tactics to get the money beggar belief.They posted me the final reminder giving me 7 days to pay which by the time it arrived only allowed me a couple of days.I then recieved a letter from a collection agency which was dated 2 days before the 7 days was up on the final reminder. Scottish Power had passed the matter on to the collection agent before the 7 days expired.

I was able to phone them and pay, this was never the issue. However again Scottish Power have excelled themselves with their poor customer services which I percieve as underhanded and bullying.I put myself in the position of an elderly or vulnerable customer reciving this type of mail. I would think some customers would be terrified knowing that some thug may come to the door demanding money.

These big companies claim to be worried about their customers views, yet behave like this.

Surely you are paying this by DD and yr are bills online?

dexterlevi

Yes it was seven days from final reminder and yes I recieved final reminder on 06 September which was generated on the 30 August. Collection agency letter was dated 05 Sept.

KimYeovil

Why was the original bill not paid? If you are swanning off on holidays that are longer than 28 days then you should make appropriate arrangements to pay your bills.

dexterlevi

I have now set up direct debit which will make life easier in future.No I did,nt go on hols for 28 days but did overlook payment until I got final reminder. I don,t have an issue with paying the bill, likewise I don,t have an issue with SP demanding money back.I have paid bill now on reciept of reminder, purely overlooked paying, something I would think many others have done in the past.

The customer service rep aslo used the excuse that the original bill had,nt been paid. That was,nt the issue as I explained to her. The fact remains they sent me a final reminder giving me 7 days to pay only to hand the case over to a collection agency on day 5.Had I not have paid by day seven then I would,nt have a leg to stand on and would deserve what comes my way.

Dreamnine

They are ruthless. The collection agency is 'in-house'. The more of these letters I got from Scottish Power, when I wasn't owe them a penny, the more I e-mailed and phoned them, all to no avail. Easily the worst customer service of any company I ever dealt with. I eventually switched to SSE.

Incisor

dexterlevi wrote: »

Yes it was seven days from final reminder and yes I recieved final reminder on 06 September which was generated on the 30 August. Collection agency letter was dated 05 Sept.

And [repeating the Question], how long is that after the initial bill? I agree that it is short notice to the collection agency becoming involved.

1carminestocky

I suppose the fact their collection agency is 'in house' goes some way to explaining the short period involved (in no way condoning it, btw)...

Dreamnine

It's just scare tactics- a letter that looks like it comes from independent debt collectors..'Oh,no- the bailiff's are coming' is the reaction it's intended to invoke.