united utilites direct debit scam?

cheshpair

[FONT=&quot]Important information about your water bill[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I am writing to tell you about changes in your metered water bill.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]As a customer who pays on a regular instalment plan we review your monthly payment on an annual basis. This is to make sure that your nioritlliy payment snatches the an-count of wafer that you use.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]When we reviewed your last bill we made a mistake in the monthly calculation. We calculated your bill based on a thirteen month instalment plan instead of a twelve month plan.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Please accept our apologies for this mistake and any inconvenience that this may cause.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]We have now corrected this error and recalculated your instalments. We need to do this so that you do not fall behind with your water charges. Your amended payment schedule is enclosed with this letter. You should now make arrangements to pay the amended instalments on the due date.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]If you pay by Direct Debit, then you do not need to do anything and we will now take the revised amount from your account on your chosen date.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]If you don't pay by Direct Debit then why not consider switching? This is by far the most convenient way to pay your water bill and you can choose to pay yearly, quarterly, monthly, fortnightly or even weekly - the choice is yours. You will automatically receive a £5 discount off your annual water bill for choosing to pay by this method. If you have access to the Internet, you can sign-up on-line at www.unitedutilities.com/dd, or if you would prefer, telephone us.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]You can also pay via our website at www.unitedutilities.com/paybill or by telephone. If you have a debit card (including Maestro, Solo and Electron) you can make payments via our 24-hour automated payment line on 0845 402 1366.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]To discuss our full range of payment options further, contact our billing team. You will find the telephone number on the back of your bill. We are open Monday - Friday between Sam - 8pm and Saturday between Sam - 5pm.[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]Yours sincerely[/FONT]
[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/MD/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg[/IMG]
[FONT=&quot]Peter Rowbottom[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Head of Customer Care[/FONT]
anyone understand this? on a meter pay by direct debit and in credit ive sent a copy to my MP and stopped the increase in DD, UU tell me its their mess and sorry! i wonder.

Headsabovewater

Seems that they beleve your plan was set incorectly for future bills ( I wish i had a crystal ball like the do)
I would just to get everything running correctly:
Provide your water company with an actual meter reading and request an off cycle bill
When you receive the bill call again and reset your direct debit.

This will corect any mistake and get you back on track without over paying for the next 11 months.

davec9

I received the same letter the other day. I was paying £30.88/month and was £133 in credit. Yet they sent this letter to say they were putting the D/D up to £38/month! I have been with UU for 9 years now. I cannot see how being so much in credit can warrant an increase in my monthly payment. I have phoned them and told them to set the D/D back to £30.88, and I'm now trying to understand if I should also ask for my £133 to be refunded. Any thoughts would be appreciated

Headsabovewater

The same would apply as above.
Your Direct debit might be out of sync with your bills.
i.e: you are billed every 6 months but direct debit is set for 11 months so at the and of the plan there will be a credit on your account as a bill is due shortly.
Take a meter reading and call you water company to request an off cycle bill
Once bill is received call again to request any credit back and reset the payment plan.