Charged for Transferring from SP to E.ON

allanglennon

I have been with SP and recently set up a transfer to E.ON for a better rate. I sent my meter readings to E.ON who then sent them to SP. I had a balance of £34 to pay to SP as my final payment on top of my monthly Direct Debit. The DD was set up to come out of our joint (bills) account on the 26th each month which it did. Then on the 1st SP tried to take the £34 out of our account. This was rejected as there was no money in there and we were charged £25 by HSBC. SP then tried on the 14th, again when there was no money in the account meaning we got charged again.

I have tried to get the £50 charges refunded through HSBC but they are not having any of it and suggested I claim to SP.

Has anyone had this before? Can SP just take a payment from your account like that without a prior arrangement? Also, What are my chances and any suggestions on how to go about it?

Any help appreciated.
Allan

Premier_2

Scottish Power would be required to provide you advance notice of the amount and date any collection is to be attempted.

If they have failed to provide this, then you can demand your bank makes a claim on your behalf against the originator (Scottish Power).
In this case, as the bank failed to honour the amount attempted to be collected, then there is nothing owing immediately. However, you can also get them to make a claim for consequential loss (i.e. the bank charges). These are not refundable immediately, but on recseipt by the bank from the originator.

Tell the bank that is what you expect them to do. If they fail, follow the bank's complaint procedure and if necessary end up complaining to the FOS who will tell them to do what they are obliged to do under the DD scheme.

The bank are incorrect in suggesting you attempt to recover the amount direct from the originator yourself; it should be done through the DD scheme so that it is logged as such. Errors logged are assessed by the originators sponsor, and if sufficient errors occure, the sponsor may withdraw their sponsorship of the originator to use the DD scheme.


Edit: See later post as situation is not as originally portrayed.

Scottish_Power

Hi allanglennon

Hopefully I can help clarify this situation for you.

If you were paying ScottishPower by monthly Direct Debit and you agreed to transfer to another supplier (and the Direct Debit payment remains active throughout) then we will send you a final statement to confirm the final balance and the date on which this final balance will be taken. Check the first page of your final bill as this will be written underneath the amount outstanding.

If this date was not suitable for you we could have changed the date to a more suitable one. As we were not contacted, we applied for the payment from your bank.

Let me know if you have any questions regarding this final statement.

Kind Regards

Colin @ ScottishPower

allanglennon

Hi Colin

I did not receive a letter telling me about the final balance being taken. It was only for £35 which I could have paid had someone contacted me requesting the payment. The whole process of switching has been frustrating, especially ending with a £50 charge from my bank.

Allan

molerat

Did you receive a final bill / statement. How do you know the outstanding amount was £34 (or £35)?

Scottish_Power

Hi allanglennon

I will be able to send you a copy of the final statements if this will help to show when we were applying for the £34/£35 balance?

Kind Regards

Colin @ ScottishPower

Premier_2

allanglennon wrote: »

Hi Colin

I did not receive a letter telling me about the final balance being taken. ...

scottishpower_company_representative wrote: »

Hi allanglennon

I will be able to send you a copy of the final statements if this will help to show when we were applying for the £34/£35 balance?

Kind Regards

Colin @ ScottishPower

allanglennon - I suggest you contact the Royal Mail and or your local police station as it appears someone maybe stealing your mail! :eek:

Unfortunately this changes the situation regarding my previous post.
As you were sent the appropriate notice (albit you didn't receive it), you are not allowed to recover the amount under the DD guarantee. If you try (and get the money refunded) expect that to be reveresed later when SP appeal. Also SP won't honour your request for consequential damages.

Of course, if you can discover who stole your mail, you could try pursuing them for any losses you incurred due to their illegal act.