Grandmother being ripped off by BG

jblack_2

Hello All,

I have just been visiting my Grandmother. Whilst there she asked me to read the electric meter as she'd had a card posted through the door. I did this for her and rang the automated telephone line to enter the reading.

Before hanging up they tell you the current outstanding balance for the account. This was £121.44 in credit.

As she is with BG for her gas too I decided to do the same and was told that her account was £844.90 in credit:eek:!!!

I looked through her old statements, which she keeps filed. It shows that for every quarterly statement they have increased her payments for both gas and electric. The last increase being the gas which went from £117 a month to £191 a month when she was already in credit by £279 at the time of increase. This is despite every statement for the last 2 years being in credit.

She lives alone in a large 3 bedroom bungalow but these prices seem outrageous.

I have told her to ring BG on Monday and demand they refund the credit balance from both accounts and reduce the monthly DD accordingly. I'm worried they will fob her off with some rubbish. Can anyone confirm this is the right thing to do?

TIA, J

Magentasue

I think it's the right thing to do. She should have a credit balance so I wouldn't ask for the total to be refunded, leave a credit balance. The DD also needs to be reduced to avoid the same thing happening.

Supreme_2

Yes it's the right thing to do. If you are concerned they will give excuses then make the call yourself. You could always change the supplier, or go to paying on receipt of bill.

Personally i find the whole idea of fixed direct debit payments for energy supplies rediculous and wrong!

peachyprice

Would it be possible for you to be there wehn she phones them, if she gives permission they can speak to you too, and you can make sure they're going to do as she asks.

Magentasue

Supreme wrote: »

Personally i find the whole idea of fixed direct debit payments for energy supplies rediculous and wrong!

I was really pleased when the system came in - I used to dread the electricity bill and preferred fixed monthly payments. It's always worked well for me but I know it goes wrong, especially now meters aren't read so regularly.

Cardew

Whilst the huge gas credit indicates something has gone wrong, the credit balance you get on telephoning or on the internet can be very misleading.

That is because all Direct Debit payments are credited to the account immediately but the bill debited quarterly.

*For instance 2 days ago my account was showing as £300 in credit, but yesterday my account was debited with £400 and I am now £100 in debit.

* for illustrative purposes.

elektra

peachyprice wrote: »

Would it be possible for you to be there wehn she phones them, if she gives permission they can speak to you too, and you can make sure they're going to do as she asks.

That is a very good idea. Also before you call can you go back over the bills and calculate a years usage at todays prices so that you can tell if the direct debit amount they suggest is reasonable.

allan673

Also Consider Quarterly Billing? And Paying On Receipt Of Bill.

espresso

allan673 wrote: »

Also Consider Quarterly Billing? And Paying On Receipt Of Bill.

Not if you want to pay the least for your supplied energy!

allan673

very true espresso, i cant argue with you. but she may feel more in control? especially if they refund all the credit she has.
i cancelled my dd as i was hundreds in credit yet they kept upping my dd.i never had a problem with my energy dd's untill the last 6 months.it just annoys me that they increase them by a ridiculous percentage when your already in plenty of credit.

Cardew

Given the current pathetic interest rates on savings it makes even less sense to give up an attractive discount for Direct Debit.