Eon sent refund, now saying it was a mistake.

FrugalTop

Ok, so I switched from a pre payment metre to monthly direct debit about 6 weeks ago. They came and changed my metre and said I would get a call to set up the d/d payments. This never happened so I called them to try and sort out. They told me the reason they haven't set it up yet was because I was in credit by £1,100!!

This sounded like an awful lot considering I was on a pre payment metre so I asked them to double check but they were sure they owed me this money. They sent me a cheque and told me to call them once I received it to set up direct debit payments.

So I rang them today and they are now telling me it was a mistake as there was an error on my account and I am not actually in that much credit.

I now don't know what to do with this cheque, I asked the lady on the phone and she said she couldn't tell me what I should do. I then asked if I cashed it, would they try and recover the money, she again said she couldn't tell me if they would or not. This suggests to me that they can't as she wouldn't give me a straight answer.

What do you guys think I should do, cash the cheque or not? Can hey recover it if I do?

I am going to change supplier as they have messed me around a lot (they are still saying they can't set up a direct debit yet).

Sorry about the long post, has anyone else had this problem before?

dogshome

As you say, an £1,100 Credit built up by Pre-pay meter is a very rare animal

Switching supplier is likely to make what seems to be a glitch in Eon's systems worse - They have up to 6 years to find the error and demand repayment of the £1,100, so there is a chance that in 2019 when you have been with other suppliers for years, Eon will come out of the woodwork with a bill for £1,100

If you elect to return the cheque, do it by letter and take a photocopy of the cheque, then keep these copies safe till 2020
If you decide to bank the cheque, put it an account you have opened only for that money, and leave it untouched till 2020

rogerblack

dogshome wrote: »

If you elect to return the cheque, do it by letter and take a photocopy of the cheque, then keep these copies safe till 2020

Why 2020, and not 5 years (or 6 years in scotland) ?

dan3811991119

dont cash it. there is no way you have built up all that credit on a pre payment meter

chanz4

Impossible for that credit to of built up on pre-pay max is £150

undaunted

I would have thought they would put a stop on the cheque if it was issued in error but if they haven't and you cash it they may just add it to the meter as a debt, issue a bill and then try to prevent you from switching on the grounds of debt.

They probably can't force you to return the cheque as such but would be able to pursue recovery of the money, you almost certainly won't just get to keep it if that's what you were hoping.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi FrugalTop

As others have said, it's highly unlikely a prepayment account would be in credit by this amount.

Prior to the meter being changed, how long was it since we last sent a statement?

With prepayment accounts, we send statements every 6 months. These show payments made and how the charges for energy have been calculated. If it's several months since your last statement, there'll probably be a large credit balance showing on the account, particularly if the meter has been topped up regularly.

Following the meter exchange, the account should've been billed up to the removal readings. This would've given an accurate picture. As it can take longer than 6 weeks for the details to hit accounts after a meter exchange, I suspect this hasn't been done.

This would also explain why a Direct Debit hasn't been set up.

If this is the case, the advisor you dealt with shouldn't have refunded the balance without first billing the account as above.

I'm really sorry if the above has happened. Here, we'll ask for the money back, I'm afraid.

I'd suggest speaking with one of our prepayment specialists. They've access to much more info than advisors in the Call Centres and will be able to see far better what the actual situation is. Alternatively, drop an email to the address in my Profile if you prefer and I'll be happy to ask them for you.

Again, I'm sorry we've messed you about but hope this points you in the right direction.

Malc