Please help me to escape N Power!

Fluffpuff

In 2011, a little pre-occupied with other things, I noticed that I hadn't topped up my gas for a while and it hadn't ran out. (I'm on prepayment meters). So I rang N Power and told them and they sent someone out. Man looked at the meter and said it was fine and off he went.

I waited and waited but the gas still never ran out so I decided to pop 10.00 on the card and see what happened. It didn't do anything at all so I rang N Power again saying that I was worried that if I keep topping up when the gas isn't running out that my payments weren't being registered and so the 'free' gas I was getting I would still owe them if that makes sense.

They sent someone out again and again they said there was nothing wrong with the meter.

To this day I still haven't topped up my gas. Over the past few months they have sent someone out to do a safety check which HAD to be done apparently or I could be fined. In all the years I have been with N Power this is the first time they have done anything like this. The man came and I told him about the problems I had been having. He said he can't see anything wrong with the meter either and that I should just carry on as I am and he'll pretend I haven't told him

Then yesterday a man turned up unannounced saying he had come to update the software on my gas meter. He didn't introduce himself, didn't have any ID and when I said I wasn't expecting him and that there were lots of heavy tool boxes/trolleys under the stairs he became really abrupt saying it HAD to be done. So I let him in and said if he can get to the meter he can do what he wants. When he saw that he couldn't access it he said he would be back this morning and for me to get the trolleys removed as it was important.

I feel really confused and I'm getting a bit sick of the situation because I don't know where I stand with them. The men they send out seem bogus too because they are so unprofessional they could be anybody.

I rang scottish power today to get changed over and they said they will try but if there is an outstanding debt that it might be difficult. They did say that really if there is any debt on the system that I shouldn't be liable because I have done everything I can to try and sort this out with N Power and they have failed to do anything.

Which is fair enough but I've still used the gas, however I feel its not my fault that the debt has built up.

If anyone has any advice that would be great. Ideally I would just like to switch. With regards to the debt I am willing to pay it back but are scottish power right? Should I not be liable for it?

Fluffpuff

By the way I didn't answer the door this morning when he turned up again because I haven't a clue who he is.

arcon5

So you let him in the first time but not the second? That makes no sense, if he was bogus he would have done something before! It's probably MeterPlus they sent.

As for the meter, you will owe them money. Why not take a reading, phone them up and have them calculate your balance.

Try asking them to install a new meter.
Or have them take you off pre-payment.

unholyangel

Fluffpuff wrote: »

By the way I didn't answer the door this morning when he turned up again because I haven't a clue who he is.

If you're ever unsure if a rep does work for an energy company, ask to see their identification then ask them to wait at the door while you call to verify they are who they say they are.

Legitimate employees dont have any issue with you doing this. But do make sure you dont dial a number they give you Locate a contact number for them yourself, perhaps on https://www.saynoto0870.com

fluffnutter

I think you need to establish what you owe and sharpish. Have you written to them yet? Write to them explaining what's happened and ask for a breakdown of what you owe. Have you been putting money aside each week/month? This would be wise because it's fairly obvious that there's a good possibility that they're going to catch up with you at some point.

However, because you made efforts to resolve this, i.e. you let them know something was up by ringing them twice I'd try to argue that, as a goodwill gesture, they shouldn't lump you with a big bill. In fact, I'd be pushing to get it written off. Then I'd switch suppliers.

But you need to go about this the right way. Write to them.

mattyprice4004

Surely you just put the money to one side, as you knew you'd have to pay it one day?

If not you could be in for a rough time - when anything like this happens never spend the money!

Fluffpuff

mattyprice4004 wrote: »

Surely you just put the money to one side, as you knew you'd have to pay it one day?

If not you could be in for a rough time - when anything like this happens never spend the money!

I already have the money to pay it back in full if need be. Thanks for your input though.