British Gas Trust - British Gas Scam???

Dipply

Hi all

I am currently on prepayment with BG for Gas and pay £6 per week to the debt after having to go to part time etc and had big arrears. I received a letter from BG saying I could apply to the British Gas Trust for a grant, call them to send a form out, which I did.

I then had a very long phone call which smacked of sales and scripts, with the advisor telling me the I am more likely to be approved for a grant if it looks like I am trying harder to pay my debt even if I was struggling. He then talked me into agreeing to up my weekly debt deductions until I applied.

No question of whether I could afford it, what my circumstances were, just kept dangling the carrot of the grant and how me upping my payments would help me get it. He said that there was no contract and I could just drop my payments again later...however I do not think THAT is that easy....I am very concerned that they are using this trust to con people into upping their payments. Or am I being too cynical?

chanz4

Its not a scam, its to help you and you must show willing to get the scheme as its limited funding

SwanJon

The Energy Trust, although funded by British Gas, is not run by them.

Charis run a few other equivelants http://www.charisgrants.com/

Obviously if you don't trust them, don't use them, (although that smacks of a nose/face scenario).

Terrylw1

It would seem the person you spoke to was more interested in recovering the debt quicker.

Showing commitment is one thing but using it as an opportunity to debt collect seems a bit low.

SwanJon

But as above, Charis have no interest in collecting the debt, except in as much as they will be able to help more people if the debts are smaller.
However, they have a set amount of funding to use, not determined by the number of people they help.

undaunted

Who was the advisor from - British Gas or Charis ("British Gas Trust")?

The grant application should be judged on merit not used as a means of obtaining higher debt repayments whilst processed

davehsug

I know that one of the conditions for Charis grants is that you must be able to pay for your ongoing consumption. They are completely independent as far as I know.

chanz4

yes they are, all suppliers pay into the pot

Dipply

Thanks for the input guys. The advisor I spoke to was from british gas and he was seriously scripted - he was determined to get my payments up. He advised me this would help my application.

I have now discovered my repayments have went up, only took a week and the prepayment line want me to provide proof in writing I need to 'lower my agreed payment' before they will 'consider' putting it back down.

I am just going to phone the number I called initially and fight with them now - they HAVE used this to up their debt collection amounts. They do not tell you their is an online application or you can contact charis grants direct - they make it sound like you need to get the form off them.

Temperature here has plummeted this week and I cannot affod this, not a happy bunny. Folk need warned about this.

Dipply

SwanJon wrote: »

The Energy Trust, although funded by British Gas, is not run by them.

Charis run a few other equivelants

Obviously if you don't trust them, don't use them, (although that smacks of a nose/face scenario).

Hi Swanjon

Apologies, I can see my op was not overly clear on that. I trust charis, BG I do NOT. It was BG I spoke to and they gave the clear impression you had to phone them for a form. I have now applied direct to charis and understand it may be a yay or nay but any help they may decide to give is up to them and would be wonderful. Thank you for the link :T