Robbing energy supplier!

Billy1

I have just recently switched from Scottish Power to EDF Energy, and as usual I contacted my bank to cancel my direct debit to my previous supplier. I then received my bank statement and noticed that my previous supplier had taken money out of my account for their final payment, with no authority from me, so I rang my bank and was told that becuase the previous direct debit had been cancelled they had raised a new direct debit to take their final payment, I then called Scottish Power to ask what they thought they were doing taking money out of my account without my authority and they said that they wanted their final payment, and I explained had they sent me a bill I would have sent them a cheque as I do with all other companies, and I explained they had stolen money out of my account and I want it back, but they were very rude and told me I wasn't getting my money back. Is this legal? Could someone please reply with an answer.

Premier_2

If money has been taken from your bank account against the terms & conditions of the mandate you agreed, then contact your bank for a full & immediate refund under the terms of the direct debit guarantee.

You can also request your bank to cancel the mandate so that no further amounts can ever be collected.

KimYeovil

It is you who has altered and terminated the contract early, not Scottish Power. Did you contact Scottish Power to tell them that you wanted to cancel the payments by Direct Debit and revert to quarterly billing for the final statement? In what way do you think Scottish Power have broken the terms?

Farway

Look on line, or MSE, for Direct Debit guarantee, or get a copy from your bank, then instruct your bank under that to refund the money to you

Basically, in a dispute you the customer are in charge and any disputed money must be returned, ignore EDF energy, your claim is with your bank under the DD guarantee

Here is some info

http://whatconsumer.co.uk/forum/financial-services/967-research-direct-debit-guarantee-scheme-grey-area.html

PS Just found KimYeovil posted same time, I agree with that, unless you have lost out or dispute the amount charged [apart from hurt feelings] then perhaps let it lie and move on?

KimYeovil

Standard tariff is 24% more expensive for service charge element, 12% more expensive for Tier 2 units. Scottish Power is trying to save you up to a quarter off your last bill! Why do you want to pay more?

tripled

KimYeovil wrote: »

Scottish Power is trying to save you up to a quarter off your last bill!

I doubt they are trying to save the op anything, it's just incidental. However, I agree in this case it would be more sensible to not lose the discount.

As to the op telling or not telling Scottish Power they have cancelled the direct debit, under the dd guarantee they are perfectly entitled to cancel it through the bank.