EDF direct debit manipulation

jalexa

Retrovertigo wrote: »

I currently pay just over £40 per month and am £80 in credit. A slight increase to £45 per month, plus my credit, should cover me for the next 12 months.

Do you know your 'annual review' date?

But on my latest bill they want to try and increase my DD to £75! This is supposedly based on the fact they "predict" I will use 2 and a 1/2 times the electricity I am currently using.

Which line on the statement gives that impression? Your later post seems to give a different, more accurate explanation, regarding cost and/or consumption.

Retrovertigo

Not sure when the review date is? How would I check?

As for the estimates, there is a large breakdown at the bottom of the latest pdf bill giving an estimated usage for the next 12 months, including standing charges, discounts for dd payments etc. It is all in line with my current usage, and acceptable.

However, at the top of the bill in a big black box it says my direct debit payments need to increase to £74 based on an estimated electricity usage for the next 12 months, of £75 per month. No explanation as to why they think I'll be using pretty much 2 1/2 times what I'm using now. Just a big eye catching box saying DD would increase in Jan 2013.

I mean, it is obviously a mistake. I even asked my uncle to check it last night, as he runs his own businesses and does how own books. I thought maybe I was mis-reading something, as I was getting all worked up. He just stood there saying it didn't make any sense, and how on earth did they come up with the new DD payments.

£50 per month (not with standing my £80 credit) covers what they propose my full bill breakdown would be for the next 12 months. It's just this lone box at the top of the bill that is at odds with everything else. But is the most important part, as that is what states my payments will be if EDF get their way.

jalexa

Retrovertigo wrote: »

Not sure when the review date is? How would I check?

You need to ask them the specific question. BTW if you are on MyAccount the answer is on the MyAccount home page.

It is *possible* the DD is influenced by projected 'short-year' seasonal consumption to your 'annual review' date. BTW that is not a defence of Edf. Only the Energy Ombudsman thinks the statement content is fit for purpose in respect of the DD calculation.

Retrovertigo

jalexa wrote: »

You need to ask them the specific question. BTW if you are on MyAccount the answer is on the MyAccount home page.

It is *possible* the DD is influenced by projected 'short-year' seasonal consumption to your 'annual review' date. BTW that is not a defence of Edf. Only the Energy Ombudsman thinks the statement content is fit for purpose in respect of the DD calculation.

I can't see the review date mentioned under my account.

Here is the bill breakdown for the next 12 months:
Annual Statement for period: 24 Nov 2012 - 23 Nov 2013
Your next 12 months estimated usage in kWh Based on your prices Your estimated costs for the next 12 months Your last 12 months usage in kWh Electricity Meter Number: K******* Tariff: Standard (Variable)
2,451 105 12.46p £13.08
From 07 Dec 2012 2,346 13.64p £319.99
Standing Charge 14.00p per day £1.82
Standing Charge From 07 Dec 2012 18.00p per day £63.36
Gas Meter Number: 084657 Tariff: Standard (Variable)
3,918 221 3.665p £8.10
From 07 Dec 2012 3,687 4.042p £149.03
Standing Charge 22.00p per day £2.86
Standing Charge From 07 Dec 2012 25.00p per day £88.00
Dual Fuel £8.00 cr
Direct Debit £38.78 cr
SubTotal £599.46
VAT £29.98
Total 6,369 6,359 £629.44

But then at the top of all that, the change in DD dated for Jan 2013 (£74 per month which comes to £888. Not including they have £80 of mine in credit), but which is now in effect and will be taken from the next due payment on 1st Dec so I need to contact them ASAP.

snowcat53

Yes exactly the format I have too. The DD amount bears no obvious relation to the annual statement figures. First thing to do is insist on seeing how they calculate it.

Don't assume the DD amount means they predict 2.5 times current usage, that's why it's key to find out how they have worked it out

The annual review date is not stated as far as i can see but should be the anniversary of your joining (see the Ofgem leaflet Backfoot kindly gave link to recently). However the discussion of dates of review/ annual review is secondary - they are REQUIRED to provide an explanation whenever they change your DD. .

Retrovertigo

Yeah, like I say, no doubt an error. But as it arrives at the weekend, and they have no one manning phones, there is still that niggling worry in your mind until you speak to them.

I have had DD payments changed in the past fairly easily when I have been on large amounts of credit with them. But still, you see large increases applied to DD payments - which obviously I have no direct control over - and until you speak to them , it is a genuine concern.

Am I alone in thinking they should be charging me based on what I;m using, and not inflating costs because they think I might use more. They should wait and see and then charge accordingly. Not sit on people's money and earn interest off it.

edit: I've just fired off a letter o complaint to someone on their liaison team that I had dealings with earlier in the year.

In that instance they lost all meter readings I had given since joining them (luckily I had them all noted down on the paper reminders) and had failed to charge me anything for over 14 months. Checking now, all meter readings seem to be back on the website if I view previous bills

backfoot

There is no way, you can tell, how they have arrived at the implausible increase.

Ask them for a full explanation, which needs to be a calculation, showing all the variables.

This document sets out your rights.

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Media/FactSheets/Documents1/directdebitleaflet.pdf

Ask for the details in writing.

Retrovertigo

Yep, will be doing exactly that. I'm sure they will change the DD, but I'm not letting them get away with just changing it to being suitable. I want that detailed explanation to see just what is wrong with their system.

Once I have that explanation though, is there anything I can do with it other than post it here for curiosities sake? Would ofgem look into it to make sure it gets changed so that other people don't get hassle like this?

for completions sake, here is what is stated at the top of this latest bill:

Your payments are changing
We’ve changed your monthly Direct
Debit payment amount to: £74.00
·
This change will be effective from
06 Jan 13
·
Your new payment is based on:
£11.00 for your estimated future monthly
gas usage
·
£75.00 for your estimated future monthly
electricity usage
·
· £10.00 for your gas credit
· £2.00 for your electricity credit

This is a lie in itself, as they have changed the direct debit payment already and a payment is due the 1st of December. I'm disgusted with them, but sadly if I use price comparison sites, EDF come out cheapest for me. Otherwise I'd be off.

snowcat53

Good -well done. I have done the same for the increase on my mother's account (125 to 178), which they did back down on.

When you get the explanation post it up here (if you are willing). You can take it further if it is not adequate or timely.

Retrovertigo

What's laughable, is the tiny explanation for changes in DD payments. Supposedly based on "current balance and projected future useage".

And right there in black and white they show me being in credit and a future usage far less than that DD payment figure