Spark Energy - advice needed re overpayment & refund

squigglewiggle

Sorry if this topic has been raised frequently, but I am at my wits end and in need of some advice!

I moved from BG to Spark Energy in February of this year and agreed on a monthly DD of £81 for gas & electricity. I returned to BG in June after they offered a reduced DD. Since then I have been unable to log in on Spark's website to check my account details so I have no idea what my balance is. They have also continued to bill me, and with BG also billing me the costs are getting ridiculous. I have paid:

Feb - BG £96
March - BG £96, Spark £81
April - Spark £81
May - Spark £81
June - Spark £81
July - Spark £81, BG £89
Aug - Spark £81, BG £89

Meaning I have double-paid for 3 months this year. Since I first transferred to Spark my gas heating has never been turned on so I am certain I have been charged too much as the majority of my usage is from gas. I emailed Spark last Friday with meter readings and asking to be refunded and (unsurprisingly given their horrendous reputation) have received no reply. I have also attempted phoning with no success.

I have meter readings from July 8th and July 26th but do not have a record of any previous ones although I will have submitted them to Spark/BG at the time.

I'm a bit stuck as to what to do now... How do I prove that I have paid too much and how do I go about getting a refund?

Any help much appreciated

Wywth

squigglewiggle wrote: »

Sorry if this topic has been raised frequently, but I am at my wits end and in need of some advice!

I moved from BG to Spark Energy in February of this year and agreed on a monthly DD of £81 for gas & electricity. I returned to BG in June after they offered a reduced DD. Since then I have been unable to log in on Spark's website to check my account details so I have no idea what my balance is. They have also continued to bill me, and with BG also billing me the costs are getting ridiculous. I have paid:

Feb - BG £96
March - BG £96, Spark £81
April - Spark £81
May - Spark £81
June - Spark £81
July - Spark £81, BG £89
Aug - Spark £81, BG £89

Meaning I have double-paid for 3 months this year. Since I first transferred to Spark my gas heating has never been turned on so I am certain I have been charged too much as the majority of my usage is from gas. I emailed Spark last Friday with meter readings and asking to be refunded and (unsurprisingly given their horrendous reputation) have received no reply. I have also attempted phoning with no success.

I have meter readings from July 8th and July 26th but do not have a record of any previous ones although I will have submitted them to Spark/BG at the time.

I'm a bit stuck as to what to do now... How do I prove that I have paid too much and how do I go about getting a refund?

Any help much appreciated

Check who actually supplies you now, and ask the other supplier why they are billing you
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/consumer_w/consumer_energy_and_water_supply_e/consumer_energy_supply_e/problems_switching_energy_suppliers/finding_out_who_your_gas_or_electricity_supplier_is.htm

If BG now supply you, then you will have to wait for Spark to produce a final bill. That will detail what you owe or are owed.

Why have you been paying double by DD for the last 3 months??? :huh:
With Direct Debits, you are always firmly in control

I've a feeling Corporal Jones would be very proud of you

Nada666

For future reference (yes, I know you know this now) you should always keep a written note elsewhere other than online - particularly when changing suppliers.

Do you have any meter readings or bills from last year and Jan - from before your switch to Spark?

I would telephone British Gas and confirm with them that they have transferred and completed. Ask them to repeat the dates and starting reads they are using. If they confirm the transfer is complete then close your Direct Debit for Spark.

To be fair seven days is a little soon be expecting a reply and even if you did transfer 8 Jul rather than 28 a month is still within margins for a final bill.

Give them six weeks until after the transfer and if still no refund write a letter headed "Complaint" to Spark asking for the final bill and final refund/demand.