Scottish Power - Over charged

sharonheggie

I have recently been overcharged for my gas and electricity use. Despite submitting the accurate readings they charged me based on estimate readings which are far from accurate therefore the payments were higher than they should have been. Im hoping for some help in this area as im told getting a refund from Scottish Power is a nightmare. Help!

Pineapple88

What help are you looking for?

SP's refunds process is relatively slow as they are only able to refund by cheque as far as I know but if they have accurate readings there shouldn't be a problem with the refund.

The best thing to do is to speak to them about why they billed on estimated readings if accurate ones are submitted. Companies prefer to bill on accurate readings so if they have used estimates even though an accurate reading has been submitted it may have been that there was a problem with the reading, eg an unrecorded meter change?

Speak to their customer service and provide then with an up to date reading and they should bill the account up to date and issue a refund of the credit if this is what you would like. They should also recalculate the direct debit.

They won't give compensation for the overcharging you based on an estimate but previously they did give interest if you were in credit by 3x more than your direct debit amount so you may get a little more back from them!

macman

Try to resubmit the readings manually. If the readings sent to the system are out of line with what is expected, then the system automatically rejects them and substitutes estimates, on the basis that the readings are erroneous.
So you need to get that manually overidden.

Woogiebrush

Impossible to tell if I have saved cash on switching, as I also moved into a larger flat, but all I have had is writing emails, phoning and analysing both parties errors, for over 6 months.

I switched from British Gas to Scottish Power, October 12.

B.G didnt accept my closing readings (i only found this out last week), S.P admitted error in that their system didn't record my opening readings (?!?), so I had a period of estimated readings, both closing and opening.
S.P have had to make 5 or so manual adjustments (based on phone calls and email queries)

I had a unexpected £100 final electric bill from B.G recently, based on their own estimated usage (which was 4,000 kw out!)
I think its resolved, in that S.P said they'd send new closing readings to B.G.
I then had email confirmation from S.P of closing readings, which differed from when I spoke to them on the phone!?

I now cant log in to my B.G account, so I am assuming they've closed it, without acknowledging their errors, or potentially that I might be in credit with them.

SP said they'd put in writing what the last steps were (regarding sending accurate readings to B.G) but to date I have had nothing.

I have no idea if my monthly DD amount is correct (it seems high), as there's been so many adjustments to my account.
I plan to do manual readings each month and ask for any credit back soon.

It may've saved me a small amount in the long, long term. But I regret following advice (on here) to switch to beat price hikes etc. due to the headaches.

Scottish_Power

Woogiebrush wrote: »

Impossible to tell if I have saved cash on switching, as I also moved into a larger flat, but all I have had is writing emails, phoning and analysing both parties errors, for over 6 months.

I

HI Woogiebrush

I have replied to this query on the new thread you started

here

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/61518229#Comment_61518229

Thanks David