Scottish Power still charging me for my dead father's electricity and gas

scpembo

My father died four months ago. I informed Scottish Power of his death at that time. I then informed them of the final meter readings four weeks later when his flat was handed back to Moat Housing, his landlords. (Moat Housing had refused to take back Dad's flat until four weeks notice had passed, even though he was dead.)

My Dad was nearly £300 in credit with Scottish Power when he died. Since then, however, Scottish Power have sent me four bills for £33, saying I / he owes them it for the month's electricity / gas. One of these bills even included a notice that they were increasing the tariff for him.

Since the two original phone calls to Scottish Power I have written to them twice. Each letter was recorded delivery. Each letter asked them again to close the account. Each letter gave them all the details again.

I received another bill from them a week ago.

I then tried a different tack by sending an email to them via their website. This email again included all the details, including meter readings, account number, etc.

I received a reply to this a week and a half later. This reply asked me for all the details of my dad's account, meter readings, etc - details I had already given them in the email and in the two previous letters and two previous phone calls.

I decided to leave this all for a few days until I calmed down.

But then this evening I arrive home to find another bill from Scottish Power for £33.

At first I thought that all this must be caused by the incompetence of their systems.

But then I realised that their systems were competent enough to actually move the account details from my dead dad's name to my name - even though I live in N. Ireland and my dad lived in Essex. (And Scottish Power don't supply gas or electricity to N. Ireland.)

So it seems as if Scottish Power are deliberately delaying closing my dead Dad's account with them.

Basically I am trying to find out what is the best way to get his account closed. I have tried by phone. recorded delivery letter, and email, and yet no option has worked.

Has anyone had any experience of closing a dead relative's account with Scottish Power?

I would be really grateful for any help with this.

Scottish_Power

Hi scpembo

First of all I would like to sincerely apologise for the poor service you have received from us. I do not know why we would not act upon the information you have provided to us. I will be more than happy to sort this for you and make sure that the account is closed down correctly. Please send me an email to [EMAIL="onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com"]onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] and I will investigate this for you.

Kind Regards

Colin @ ScottishPower

macman

If the property has reverted to the HA, why have you asked SP to open an account in your name? You have no responsibility for paying anything that was due on his account, it is the responsibility of the executors of his estate. You can't change the name on an account, you can only open a new one.
If you wanted to receive the bills, all you had to do was change the billing address?

dogshome

Hi scpembo - With the loss of your Dad and trying to deal with his affairs when you are in NI whilst he lived in Essex, is enough of a problem without SP losing the plot

Hopefully Colin will get this sorted quickly, but if he doesn't enough time has elapsed for you to make complaint directly to the Ombudsman, which I certainly would if the problem was not resolved within 14 days.

scpembo

Thank you all for the replies above. I apologise for not replying earlier. I had thought I would have got an email notifying me of any replies to my original post, but did not receive anything so thought there was no activity. This must have been due to me making some settings change or my email marking any message as spam.

I received another bill for my Dad's account this morning and therefore came on here again and found your messages.

I have sent an email to Colin at Scottish Power and am hopeful he can sort it out.

But thanks again for your advice and help.

dogshome

Hi scpembo - Patience isn't always a virtue - WRITE to the Ombudsman today