EON Billing me for prepay?

mrstewieo

I'm absoloutely going out of my mind here.

I moved into my rented house in April 2010 and there was a problem with the prepayment gas meter saying 'CALL FOR HELP', so I called Eon and they got an engineer out. He said it was a problem with my card and that he would get me a new one ordered. He put a machine into the gas meter and said 'Well, I've put some emergency money on it so it shouldnt run out until you get your card'

I didn't hear or receive anything through the post, so I basically forgot about it. I remembered about it in June and phoned them to say that I hadnt received the card yet, they said that they would get a new card sent out. They asked me if I had enough on it to last me, and I advised them that it hadnt cut off yet and that I only used the hot water to wash dishes, but apart from that I have an electric shower so dont use much hot water.

I didn't receive a card again, and as you do, went on with normal day to day life and totally forgot about it.

I received a call last week from Eon saying 'well, we want to know if everything is okay because we dont notice any payments on the account'. I advised them what had gone on previously and that I was still waiting on a card, they apologised to me and said that they would definetely get my new prepaid card to me. Finally, a few days later I receive my gas card.

I just got an email from them saying 'Your bill is now ready to view' I've never received one of them before so I clicked on it and it has told me that I am £687.32 in debit to them!

I'm really worried now? I thought that prepaid meters ran out of gas when they were out of money?!?!?! I've never had a prepaid gas before, always used the monthly billing!! Please can someone help me, going out of my mind here

dogshome

Hi mrstewieo - £687 of gas between April and early November is a lot, particularly when in the winter months to come your use will rise by appx 80% - around £1200 a year ?

When you moved in, did you immediately register yourself with Eon as a new customer and get a new card?
If you did not and you were using the previous tenants card, it could have a history of old debt that is reflected in the size of the bill you have recieved.
If this is the case, get in touch with Eon and be prepared to send them a copy of your Tenancy paperwork that shows your moving in date

Edit Whoops, got the maths wrong. Your £687 for April to early November will with the 80% increased use in Winter, produce an Annual Bill of around £1900.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi mrstewieo

I'm really sorry it took us so long to send you a new prepayment card.

Before receiving this new card, have you bought any gas using the former tenant's card?

I have to say, £687.32 gas usage between April and November does seem a lot.

Dogshome makes a good point. When you moved in, did you notify us so the old account could be closed and a new one opened for you?

Did you take meter readings when you moved in?

What dates does the statement cover? Also, what meter readings have been used? Are they estimates?

I suspect, as you have only just received a card, we probably have very few, if any, meter readings and the usage has been estimated based on previous consumption.

Also, if you've been buying gas on an old card, the payments will be logged against the wrong account. Should this be the case, these can easily be transferred to your account.

Sorry for all the questions mrstewieo. Just trying to build a picture of what might have happened.

I would contact us about this and ask for an explanation of how we've arrived at this debit balance. Alternatively, drop an email to the address in my Profile if you prefer. I'd be happy to take a look.

Malc