SSE try to sneak in higher payments when switching to cheaper tarrif

hwb99

Switched from one SSE tariff to another to get a better deal, but the letter confirming change said:

"Based on information contained in this application, there was a recommendation that your direct debit be set at £23 for electricity an £28 for gas. However, as we already have a direct debit plan of £26 for electricity an £38 for gas, which was set as part of our annual direct debit review process, we have kept your original payment plan on your new tariff."

So, although I was on a lower tariff, they hadn't reduced the direct debits, presumably hoping that I would ignore it and cheerfully overpay by 25%.

When I phoned SSE, they tried to talk me out of asking for a reduction even though I had used my actual energy consumption when comparing tariffs (and, as I was an existing customer, they knew how much gas and electricity I'd used over the last few years).