Can I have my money back?

sc0ttie

I changed supplier for my gas and electric about 8 years ago, I switched via Ebico and they arranged for me to have my energy supplied via Southern Electric.
My latest bill/statement from southern electric states that after taking the money for my latest quaterly bill my account is still £360 in credit and that they will carry that credit over to my next bill. Obviously that is a lot of money to be holding on to, money which I could put to better use than in their bank account earning them interest.
Am I within my rights to ask for that money to be sent to myself by cheque? Is it likely that they will agree to this and has anybody on this forum requested the same and had any problems with it?
I ask because before I go calling them for my money back I want to be aware of where I stand and be forearmed with the correct information rather than fobbed off with some "company policy" story from the staff.

Any help greatly appreciated

jalexa

sc0ttie wrote: »

My latest bill/statement from southern electric states that after taking the money for my latest quaterly bill my account is still £360 in credit and that they will carry that credit over to my next bill.

I take it you are on fixed monthly Direct Debit terms?

*If so* you are entitled to ask for a credit balance to be returned at any time. The supplier must agree or explain why not [SLC27.16]. Assuming monthly payment adequacy there are no grounds for retaining such a balance at this time of year. I will be surprised if you experience any resistance but post again for further advice if you do.

Southern Electric will refund any credit to the direct debit account:T not by cheque.

sc0ttie

Hi jalexa thanks for the reply, yes I should have mentioned it is direct debit monthly. Is it best to call or write to them about it?

sc0ttie

Just updating; I called them, they were fine and stated that the money will be transferred to my bank account this week.
great news, i was expecting to have to put up a fight for it for some reason!

Farway

sc0ttie wrote: »

Just updating; I called them, they were fine and stated that the money will be transferred to my bank account this week.
great news, i was expecting to have to put up a fight for it for some reason!

It is not for nothing that Southern Electric frequently come out tops in customer satisfaction

Ken68

Yes Scottie, my dealings with SE (Ebico)have always been good.
Rang yesterday sort out underpayment on Gas and Overpayment on Electric. They did it there and then and we negotiated new DD's.
No problems. They did at one time have their account numbers linked to your home phones, so when you rang they were able to respond with your name. magic I thought.

Terrylw1

...let's hope they still did a security check then so anyone in your house can't gain access to all your details...;)