Scottish power - unnecessary increase in dd!!

Fire_Fox

Stompa wrote: »

Well I've been with SP since September, and have been increasingly in debit since then, and they've so far not attempted to increase my DD.

I've just discovered a whole load of unseen bills on my account. Why can't they send an email when a bill becomes available?

Are you sure they are not, are you checking your junk/ spam folder regularly? What do the terms and conditions of your chosen tariff say about billing and e-mails? Have they definitely got your correct e-mail address?
http://www.scottishpower.co.uk/support-centre/online-energy-service/online-energy-service---rules

Stompa

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Are you sure they are not, are you checking your junk/ spam folder regularly? What do the terms and conditions of your chosen tariff say about billing and e-mails? Have they definitely got your correct e-mail address?

Yes, they have my correct email address, and they do send me an email when I have entered a meter reading. But I don't receive one when a new bill is available, I assume they should be doing so? It's definitely not being taken out me a spam filter. I can't see anything relevant in the T&Cs.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Stompa wrote: »

Yes, they have my correct email address, and they do send me an email when I have entered a meter reading. But I don't receive one when a new bill is available, I assume they should be doing so? It's definitely not being taken out me a spam filter. I can't see anything relevant in the T&Cs.

HiYa Stompa,

- they do not send anything other than statutory and what helps them
- they remind you to send readings and a confirmation of readings sent
- they'll tell you of a price / tariff change or a direct debit increase and that's all
- that's why you get the big discount, for being online, supplying meter readings and maintaining your own e-account
- that's what an e-account is

Stompa

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

- that's what an e-account is

Well I've had numerous e-accounts of various sorts, but I've never had one where they don't notify you by email when a new bill is ready. Seems bizarre to me, the cost to them would be minimal.

The_Goose

I am absolutely incensed and just done a search and found this thread.

I have a joint gas/electricity (capped) 2-year contract with Scottish Power.

I pay by monthly direct debit.

My account was in credit (an average of £176 and a maximum of £328) for the first nineteen months of the contract. However at the beginning of this month, presumably due to the very cold weather, I was £39 in debit, for the first time.

I was astounded to receive an email from Scottish Power stating that my current payments did not cover my usage, and that the direct debit payment would therefore be increased from £58 to £77!!!

On phoning Scottish Power, I was told that the only way the direct debit could stay at its existing level was if I paid off the £39 "debt" immediately!

When I pointed out that Scottish Power had not seen fit to pay me back £328 when I was in credit, I was told that they would have if I'd asked!

I was under the impression that the whole point of paying energy bills by direct debit was to balance payments out during the year, with the lower consumption during the Summer balancing the higher consumption over the Winter. Is that not the case?

They have had the use of my money for 19 months, so it appears to me that I would be better off just settling my bill in full each month, as having a direct debit seems to be working solely in their favour and not at all in mine.

Is this common practice? I do not recall this ever happening with other energy providers.

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

eschaton

The_Goose wrote: »

I am absolutely incensed and just done a search and found this thread.

I have a joint gas/electricity (capped) 2-year contract with Scottish Power.

I pay by monthly direct debit.

My account was in credit (an average of £176 and a maximum of £328) for the first nineteen months of the contract. However at the beginning of this month, presumably due to the very cold weather, I was £39 in debit, for the first time.

I was astounded to receive an email from Scottish Power stating that my current payments did not cover my usage, and that the direct debit payment would therefore be increased from £58 to £77!!!

On phoning Scottish Power, I was told that the only way the direct debit could stay at its existing level was if I paid off the £39 "debt" immediately!

When I pointed out that Scottish Power had not seen fit to pay me back £328 when I was in credit, I was told that they would have if I'd asked!

I was under the impression that the whole point of paying energy bills by direct debit was to balance payments out during the year, with the lower consumption during the Summer balancing the higher consumption over the Winter. Is that not the case?

They have had the use of my money for 19 months, so it appears to me that I would be better off just settling my bill in full each month, as having a direct debit seems to be working solely in their favour and not at all in mine.

Is this common practice? I do not recall this ever happening with other energy providers.

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Common practice certainly with Scottish Power - they have a fetish for having YOUR money in their bank account but get into a panic as soon as you owe them a few £.

king312

I had a similar experience, they explained they have calcultated the bill over 12 months and needed to increase the direct debit to make sure I have a zero balance at the end. It seemed reasonable especially after my housemate left the central heating on throughout Christmas holidays and !!!!!!ed off abroad leaving the house empty for a month and windows wide open :mad:

The recent direct debit has gone down by a couple of quid as the meter man has come twice in the last month or so!

I would advise, if you want to pay exactly, then you change your tariff or you give meter readiings very frequently

eschaton

king312 wrote: »

I would advise, if you want to pay exactly, then you change your tariff or you give meter readiings very frequently

Good advice there. I have submitted readings on the 1st of the month without fail for 5 years now. Whenever SP trying and increase the DD without good reason, I complain until they put it to what it should be.

Scottish_Power

The Goose if you e-mail us at [EMAIL="social@scottishpower.com"]social@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] we can help with this.

Stompa you should see your e-mail history in your account in the my messages section. We definitely send bill notification e-mails whenever we create a bill, so I'm not sure what's happening in your case. E-mail us at the address above and we will look into it for you. Thanks David

Stompa

scottishpower_company_representative wrote: »

Stompa you should see your e-mail history in your account in the my messages section.

That just lists a single email entitled "Your ScottishPower account online!", sent in October 2012, which was sent to the correct address, and which I did receive. There are no others listed.

I'll be in touch.