British Gas - Direct debit review

B.Gumball

Have any British Gas customers received the letter from British Gas outlining that they will reducing the number of energy statements they send out. The letter that I received just before Christmas outlined that they would also be reducing my direct debit by over 50% from 1st Jan 2014, as according to their calculations and forecast I will be using less gas. As I manage my account on-line I decided to check this as the reduced amount seemed too good to be true and especially as we are heading to a period where gas usage will be high. The section whereby you can manage your direct debit indicated that my existing payment amount would not cover my bills over the next 12 months, nevermind a reduction. I queried this with British Gas as to which was correct; the website or the letter, to which they told me to disregard the letter. I have now reverted to my original direct debit amount with no thanks to British Gas.

My question to them was how many people have received the same letter and not checked whether the revised amount suggested by British Gas will cover their bills. In this economic climate this sort of mistake can be devastating to people on tight budgets.

datlex

I manage my account on line. I tend to ignore their guess at how much will owe/over pay. Instead I look at what I have used in past and check my dd is enough on average to cover this. My elec went down last year and my gas has this year but not by 50%. I am guessing you are on energy smart? If so you'll know the balance on your gas and elec.

unclemax

Yes I had a similair letter, phoned and told them and they agreed to keep it at the original level (it was going to go from something like £60 to £180 per month!). I also checked it would take effect back before next dd payment and they said yes, then took the new higher amount anyway! Luckily just popped into barclays bank and they got direct debit refunded that day, all part of direct debit guarantee