Are British Gas charging what they want all of a sudden?

P_Walters

Hi all, had a letter from the bank today with a returned d/d incurring a charge. We currently haven't got a spare bean as we have unemployment in the household. The bank letter says I've incurred a charge obviously but the amount was for £178, a figure I didn't recognise. Logged onto internet banking and saw the it was British Gas payment which was usually £100 per month, I was hoping to try and get that lowered but instead they appear to be helping themselves to more.

Basically, can they increase the d/d amount like that without letting me know?

Either way, what the hell is happening in this country that we are being bled dry. I have cancelled Christmas.

penrhyn

They should have advised you in writing if they were going to vary your Direct Debit, or possibly by email if you have paperless billing.
Possibly you are in arrears with your account, or they have overestimated your usage.
I'd suggest you take your meter readings, check back with your old bills, and get on to them.

BargainGalore

That's what I thought, they meant to inform you if your DD is going up/down usually as a result of debt or credit

Cardew

Yes they must inform you xx days in advance of the new DD being taken.

However this notification is on the bill - like this

We have reviewed your account and adjusted your payments to make sure they cover the cost of the electricity you are using.
Your new payment is £ 49.00 per month starting from 25 November 2009

This was from my last bill. It was in red, in a red square, with a large exclamation mark.

If you looked at the bill, you couldn't miss the notice.

An increase from £100 to £178 can only be because £100 is insufficient to cover your outgoings