British Gas coming to cut off OAP's

Ivrytwr3

Hey all,

My in-laws, both OAPs, are having serious problems with British Gas (BG) and it has now got to the stage where they have a letter stating they are coming to disconnect them next week!!!

OK.........Last year they sold up and moved home, they were with BG. They moved into their new home and continued with BG. However, because BG kept sending wrong final amount bills for their last home they decided to move to Powergen. Powergen took up the supply.

BG then sent a bill for the last house, which was paid, they then sent a bill for the new house (fair enough), but they then sent a bill for AFTER when Powergen took up supply. They called BG who said to ignore it, which they did, but they got red letters, threatened with court, so they decided to pay it as it said final bill and they hoped that would be the end of it.

Until now, when BG have sent another bill. Several phonecalls and several assurances from BG that they should just ignore all letters. They have done this, but the last letter states that they will now be cut off for non-payment!!

They have asked me to write a letter on their behalf. My questions are:

1. Is a letter the right thing, or can someone suggest a quicker route to sort this?

2. Who do i write to? BG? Their governing body etc?

3. Any other ideas/hints/tips?

Thanks for reading.

raptorman

Do you/they have all the paperwork? Who did they speak to at BG who told them to ignore the letters?

I would go to citizens advice and see what they say. They are great with things like this.

Ivrytwr3

they took the names, dates, times of who they spoke to, it was just thecustomer services help line for BG.

furrypolka

I'd contact Energywatch if I were you, they may be able to help.

louise540056

Exactly the same thing happening to us too! Apparently we owe 700 quid for 2months of gas in our new house!

mariauk

I would go straight to energywatch, You should then get a "personal helper" from BG call you and it will be dealt with and you will also be given a direct number for them incase anything else occurs. Don`t waste anymore time contacting BG. They ignore all your calls and basically nothing is done to resolve anyone`s problems no matter how many times you call/write they just carry on with the threats etc. Energywatch fine £50 for each complaint that is made, it is the only way to proceed with BG as they do not give two hoots about their customers or the grief and heartache they cause. Good luck!

Maria

changkra

Perhaps if the fine was increased to £500 per complaint they may start to care more about their customers, £50 fine is an insult to anyone who has had these issues to deal with.

greyteam1959

Oh yes thats a good idea increase the fine......so where do they get the money from to pay the fine ?????
Yes thats right from the customers who have to pay more

ckerrd

British Gas have without doubt the most useless customer services I have ever encountered. Not to say that there is anything wrong with the people but their systems are rubbish. I have been getting the wrong bills for a year and despite promises that someone would come out and inspect my meter nothing like that has happened. On Saturday I got the "Urgent Telemessage" to say that a warrant to enter my home would be sought, my gas supply would be cut off, the police may be present etc etc. Each time I phone I have to explain my story from the beginning, I am assured that my account will be locked and I will receive no more threatening letters from them and that someone will call me back. None of this has happened. They are useless, and even worse at dealing with emails. Ask them exactly what time they are coming to cut the gas off at your parents as you would like to let the local press/radio/tv know so that they can be there to record the matter.

ckerrd

mervyn11 wrote: »

Oh yes thats a good idea increase the fine......so where do they get the money from to pay the fine ?????
Yes thats right from the customers who have to pay more

Increase the fine so they might pay a bit more attention to their customers and try and avoid it.

Ivrytwr3

They phoned Citizens advice who took all the details and stated they would be informing Energy Watch. CA said they and/or Energy Watch will write to them in a few days to inform them of the outcome.

Fingers crossed this is all sorted!