No debt assigned to prepayment meter

Truncheon_2

Hi everyone, my again with another prepayment meter question! I've been in touch with N Power over the last couple of days to find out where I stand with my gas and electricity debts. They've told me that the electricity meter is taking £10 a week to pay for the debt, which is okay and the debt is dropping. But they've told me that the gas meter 'hasn't had a debt assigned to it yet' and therefore the gas debt hasn't reduced by a penny in the six months or so since the prepayment meters were installed. I've replied to their email saying that this seems like a massive oversight on the part of the company. Fair enough I'm responsible for the debts being built up in the first place but part of the reason for the prepayment meters is that I'm able to pay off the existing debts week by week. Surely it isn't right that they've assigned no debt to the gas meter in six months so the debt hasn't reduced at all?

spiro

I would write a letter of complaint stating that since the gas ppm meter was installed on xx/xx/xx (date should be on meter) the debt and debt recovery rate has not been set up on the meter. If this had been done at the time of installation I would have already cleared £x (where x equals agreed rate times number of weeks) of the £y debt.

If you feel cheeky, you could add that as they have not bothered to collect any debt repayments for 6 months despite being contacted 'x' times then you can only presume that they are no longer going to persue you for this debt and that it has been written off and that you no longer owe them anything for gas.

Truncheon_2

Thanks Spiro I think I might do that. Cheers.

markowen58

some companies only assign debt to the electric meter as they are a bit more robust in collecting that debt.

Truncheon_2

Well I've heard back from N Power, they've said that they have forwarded the query onto their complaints team and they'll get back to me within ten days.

Truncheon_2

markowen58 wrote: »

some companies only assign debt to the electric meter as they are a bit more robust in collecting that debt.

I don't know why they would be more eager to collect an electricity debt than a gas debt, both are just amounts of money after all.

SwanJon

markowen58 wrote: »

some companies only assign debt to the electric meter as they are a bit more robust in collecting that debt.

Debt can only be assigned to the meter for the same fuel - otherwise they could stop you leaving for electricity for a debt built up on gas.

OP - mistakes happen - I assume that's why the bill is due to be paid on the meter. Have they charged you interest on the balance for the 6 months?

Truncheon_2

Hi everyone.

A few days ago N Power sent me a letter telling me that the debt has now been assigned to the gas meter. Obviously this is six months later than it should be so I'm only going to start paying the debt off this week.

A representative rang me and I informed him that this situation is unacceptable, and he admitted that the oversight in not assigning a debt at the time the meter was installed as an "admin error".

To be honest don't think this is acceptable. I'm not one to cause a massive fuss but in my opinion they have not fulfilled their responsibility to help me pay off this debt with the prepayment meter.

As Spiro has said above, should I argue that the debt be reduced by however much I would've paid off had the debt been assigned at the correct time?

They've escalated my complaint to their "complaints team" but I'd like some advice in what to say to them when they get back in touch if anyone has any.

Thanks.

Truncheon_2

I've written some of my thoughts on the matter below, thanks to all those who have contributed. I've put them down to get my thoughts in order before contacting N Power or sending them a registered letter.


Have they charged interest on the balance of the gas debt for the last six months?

Admin error has resulted in being locked into a 'contract' with N Power for longer than necessary.

Meter has been saying debt is being taken each week - demand proof that money has not been taken toward paying the debt.

N Power has a responsibility toward helping customers who find themselves in financial difficulty pay off their debt - N Power suggested a prepayment meter to pay off debt and then assigned no debt to meter. They have not fulfilled their responsibility. STEVEN xxxxx admitted during phonecall on 20/04/2010 that this was an "administration error" on the company's part.

Currently 28 weeks since prepayment meters were installed - debt would be £280 less at this time than it is.

Joyful

Another way of looking at it is that you did not have to struggle as much during the winter as you did not have the debt and your gas to pay for. Now that the heating is reducing you could up your Weekly Recovery rate during the summer and pay it off much quicker. You will then not be stuck with them.

spiro

Truncheon wrote: »

Have they charged interest on the balance of the gas debt for the last six months?

Admin error has resulted in being locked into a 'contract' with N Power for longer than necessary.

Meter has been saying debt is being taken each week - demand proof that money has not been taken toward paying the debt.

N Power has a responsibility toward helping customers who find themselves in financial difficulty pay off their debt - N Power suggested a prepayment meter to pay off debt and then assigned no debt to meter. They have not fulfilled their responsibility. STEVEN xxxxx admitted during phonecall on 20/04/2010 that this was an "administration error" on the company's part.

Currently 28 weeks since prepayment meters were installed - debt would be £280 less at this time than it is.

Answers:
1) No
2) The admin error will result in it being later before you have cleared the debt and therefore change supplier.
3) You can see for yourself if the meter has a debt recovery rate set, if it does not then that is prooof.
4) Agree

On Joyful's point, whilst I would argue for a reduction in the debt due to their failure, I also agree that if possible try and pay more off the debt during the summer if you can afford it.