Npower gas bill a year later

umpalumpa

I have received a demand for outstanding gas £72.94 from March last year from Npower. I changed to First Utility and my first payment to them was May. I paid £124 to Npower monthly including 1st May, so overlapping. I had a refund of £302 in June from Npower. Then out of the blue came this. I was on duel fuel by direct debit, so I don't understand this at all. They said they sent a bill in December, which I didn't receive, only a reminder Feb 13th threatening bailiffs and final demand Feb 28th (today). I phoned on 13th and a man bamboozled me with spiel and offered a £30 token gesture off the bill. I then emailed 23rd Feb a complaint and they wrote to say the complaint was going to be investigated within 28 days. Today I received a FINAL DEMAND to pay up within 10 days or I'm in court. HELP! I feel bullied and helpless and don't know where to turn next. They seem driven to get their money and I really don't understand how I owe them anything. Also, I've never used £75.94 of gas in a month ever, even now that prices have doubled.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

First off, don't panic.

Write a letter (don't call, waste of time), headed complaint. Explain your issues, and that you don't owe them anything and expect the debt to be written off.

Did you keep evidence to prove what you say? Final bill from npower, welcome letter from FU, meter readings on the changeover date(s) etc.? If so, don't fear court action - it works both ways. You can present your case and how you feel you owe npower nothing. If what you say is true, you'll win.

macman

First thing you need to do is check your bill against your final meter readings and work out whether you owe anything or not. Not just to say 'I never used £75 in a month'. You may well not have-but if your previous billing has been based on estimated readings (which can easily be determined by looking at your bill) then this may well be a catch-up bill. The fact that you paid by DD doesn't mean that you can't be in arrears, if your DD was set too low to cover your actual usage.

nPower

umpalumpa wrote: »

I have received a demand for outstanding gas £72.94 from March last year from Npower. I changed to First Utility and my first payment to them was May. I paid £124 to Npower monthly including 1st May, so overlapping. I had a refund of £302 in June from Npower. Then out of the blue came this. I was on duel fuel by direct debit, so I don't understand this at all. They said they sent a bill in December, which I didn't receive, only a reminder Feb 13th threatening bailiffs and final demand Feb 28th (today). I phoned on 13th and a man bamboozled me with spiel and offered a £30 token gesture off the bill. I then emailed 23rd Feb a complaint and they wrote to say the complaint was going to be investigated within 28 days. Today I received a FINAL DEMAND to pay up within 10 days or I'm in court. HELP! I feel bullied and helpless and don't know where to turn next. They seem driven to get their money and I really don't understand how I owe them anything. Also, I've never used £75.94 of gas in a month ever, even now that prices have doubled.

Hi umpalumpa,

I'm sorry to hear of the issues you are experiencing. I'd like to help get to the bottom of this for you. Can you drop me an email using the address from my profile page and I'll see what's happening and what we can do to reach a resolution.

Thanks

Leigh