Scottish Power additional direct debits

dav485

I am currently in the final stage of switching away from Scottish power.

Today, I noticed they have set-up two additional direct debits without notifying me.
I have just cancelled both as they still have the normal direct debit and last time I was able to log-on to their website I was still in credit.

According to their website I can now only logon to view and pay my final bill (when they have finished finalising it).

So, is it OK now to also cancel the main direct debit?

Could the Scottish Power rep explain why they tried to setup more direct debits when I am leaving them?

jalexa

dav485 wrote: »

I am currently in the final stage of switching away from Scottish power.

Today, I noticed they have set-up two additional direct debits without notifying me.

I have just cancelled both as they still have the normal direct debit and last time I was able to log-on to their website I was still in credit.

So, is it OK now to also cancel the main direct debit?

I'm not the Scottish Power rep but I can explain (having experienced this myself).

In spite of Scottish Power being "single bill, single payment" the final accounts are produced and billed seperately. If you phone up and ask they will explain this is because fuels may transfer a few days apart. (True, but still a p*ss poor explanation not well communicated).

While it is good that you were observant regarding the Direct Debit arrangements, Direct Debit procedural error is better dealt with via an indemnity claim ("immediate" refund by your bank) if and when a payment is collected for which there was faulty notice.

So by cancelling the arrangements you have scr*wed-up the final accounts. Up to you how you resolve that.

On balance I do not advocate cancelling direct debit arrangements until accounts are closed. Some suppliers refund an account balance by Direct Credit (to the Direct Debit account). My experience with Scottish Power was that they refund by "lost in the post" cheques so whether you cancel the "main" Direct Debit is probably academic.

dav485

Jalexa,
Thanks very much for your explanation.:T
I won't worry about cancelling them as they probably owe me money.

Shame they couldn't be bothered to mention their intention to set-up the extra direct debits when they emailed, wrote and phoned me!

Gary1963

I have moved away from them and my final electric bill was in debt as they billed it independantly of the final gas bill! So I will get a cheque for the credit on the gas and have had to log on and pay the electric! Why they just cant use the credit on one to pay off the other when they close the account is beyond me! I too have cancelled the DD so paid by my debit card. Still awaiting the final gas bill.