scottish power have taken over my utilities

phoebe03cat

Hi, Am with EDF and looked at our account after routine read your meter message. To our amazement it showed that our electric is due to be closed on the 25th and our gas is is in the process of transferring to SP! after investigating edf have told me that that SP have told them the address for this action was given to them from a neighbour on line, who inputted the address wrongly when they changed supplier. EDF have told me they are powerless to stop the transfer even though we have not reached either date and will have to have the supply returned to them, Someone is overseeing this transfer. However they tell me they neither they nor SP have any duty to check that the person requesting the change of supplier is in fact who they say they are. It's all automatic if requested on line. In which case there is nothing to stop me maliciously changing the whole of Essex utility providers is there, as I'm told all that needs to be supplied is the house number. Surely this cannot be right?

Nada666

Do you want to send in your passport by registered post every time you change tariff?

phoebe03cat

Thanks for your help...maybe you are due some karma

Nada666

The point is you need a sensible balance. Assume most people are honest and competent and process 99% of applications at face value. Then you are not wasting resources and can concentrate investigations on remedying situations such as yours.

Alternatively, if you insist, they can increase standing charges by £5 per month per fuel to pay for staff to liaise with GCHQ before transfers.

Cardew

This has come up lots of times; often caused by doorstep salesmen instigating the switch so they get their commission, before they leave their job.


There isn't really much the Utility companies can do if the unwanted switch(termed an 'erroneous transfer') is malicious or an accident. We don't sign contracts these days and there no High Street gas/electricity showrooms we can visit to sort out such matters.

phoebe03cat

I'm assuming from your stance and history of replies to previous posts and responses on this forum that you are an industry employee. Hopefully someone impartial and with a knowledge of data protection will be along soon.

Joyful

phoebe03cat

If that comment was directed at Cardew he is talking from knowledge and what he says is correct. This is something that happens every day in the industry and has nothing to do with data protection. It looks like a simple mistake has been made. Cardew is impartial and often helps people as you can see from the many thanks he has received. I find the tone of your comment very offputting.

Cardew

phoebe03cat wrote: »

I'm assuming from your stance and history of replies to previous posts and responses on this forum that you are an industry employee. Hopefully someone impartial and with a knowledge of data protection will be along soon.

Your assumption is incorrect!

Surely such erroneous transfers are a nuisance to both the affected customer and the Utility company, and cause the latter considerable expense.

If you found my reply was neither acceptable or sensible, do you have a suggestion(s) for the action to be taken by the Utility companies for the many millions who switch their accounts. A solution covering applications by telephone, internet and via comparison websites etc.

Cardew

You may like to read this from the CAB

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/consumer_e/consumer_energy_and_water_supply_e/consumer_energy_supply_e/problems_switching_energy_suppliers/youve_been_switched_to_a_new_gas_or_electricity_supplier_without_your_consent.htm

phoebe03cat

Apologies Cardew if offence taken, there was non intended, in fact I had already thanked you for your post to try to make that clear. We cross posted following a previous personal and extremely sarcastic response from another person whom I have now blocked. There was no cause for this as my question was reasonable, asked in a civil manner and in good faith. Joyful..you have jumped to the wrong conclusion, the tone of my response was indeed meant to be offputting but not to Cardew!
Cardew the link you posted was exactly what I was hoping for so thanks for that.

forgotmyname

I had the same issue. Npower sent a nice thank you for switching to us. Not even my name or anything similar. Just a made up one.

I was with British Gas at the time and they had no issues with letting the transfer take place.

A quick call to Npower stopped it though.