British Gas Phone Calls through the Night

Countylad1970

Hi All

I don't know if anyone else has had the misfortune to experience this but my family and I were woken three times in the early hours of Sunday by automated calls from Scottish Gas/British Gas chasing payment of a bill that is little more than a fortnight overdue.

The calls were at 1.45 am (yes you did read that right), 5.00 am and 6.30 am and were particularly disconcerting as phone calls at that time of the morning usually mean bad news like bereavements and the like.

I'm going to call SG today to complain and fully intend to ask what they intend to do to compensate me for this but am I within my rights to withhold payment until they make amends - I suspect not, but would appreciate any advice and/or personal experiences you may have had.

Thanks in advance for your help

Premier_2

Countylad1970 wrote: »

...chasing payment of a bill that is little more than a fortnight overdue....

Why haven't you paid them?

Cardew

In the old days they sent the 'heavies' around to collect overdue debts!;)

I can't think that such phone calls that late are policy, more a computer mafunction!

Countylad1970

Premier

Just late in paying them that's all, but I don't think that merits calls through the middle of the night

Premier_2

So have you paid them yet?

Perhaps ask if you can set up a variable direct debit to pay future bills, then you shouldn't ever be late paying again?

markharding557

simple solution-leave phone off the hook.
i would say ringing in the middle of the night constitutes harrassment,having said that you need to sort your bill out or they will send it to a debt collector and they really are a pain in the butt

Countylad1970

If only I were as perfect as you Premier ...:T

Thanks to everyone else for the more helpful replies

Premier_2

So have you?

Countylad1970

Yes, and was advised to contact complaints dept re the phone calls.

I accept I was late paying
I accept the need to chase up late payers by phone
I accept a supplement if I am late
What I don't accept is receiving phone calls all through the night - which was the whole point of my post

Premier_2

Glad you've got your account all up to date. That should stop the phone calls too.

Sweet dreams

Countylad1970

LOL - you're right you know.

Sorry about my last grumpy post - it is MY fault that they were chasing for late payment. Just wish they hadn't done it at such an ungodly hour!

I'll keep you all posted when I get a response on the reason (although computer error does seem the most likely) :xmassmile