Npower direct debit mistake

AliceBanned

scaredofdebt wrote: »

You could go onto quarterly variable direct debit, you then get a bill saying how much they will be taking in a couple of weeks time. Still get the discount then.

Make sure you read your own meter and put aside cash to pay for the quarterly bill.

You can get apps to work out the bills if you need help.

That's very helpful, thanks. I am cancelling my union today. Trying to reduce as many monthly DDs as I can as they are a nightmare for me at the moment.

AliceBanned

ps can you recommend an App? Or do you mean Npower's?

undercover_peon

Sounds like Npower have not satisfied the rules of the direct debit scheme (again), out of interest how do you get your bills?

I really think, of all their failings, the ones that relate to them pillaging people's bank accounts are the worst. Ofgem really is asleep at the wheel here.

joncombe

undercover_peon wrote: »

Sounds like Npower have not satisfied the rules of the direct debit scheme (again), out of interest how do you get your bills?

I would recommend logging a complaint with BACS about it (I did). It does seem Npower are quite happy to contiue to ignore the rules they agreed to abide by when signing up to the scheme. Only if people complain are BACS likely to become aware of how often this happens and (hopefully) take action.

undercover_peon

Whilst I agree it is important to log such complaints I feel there is a glaring gap in procedures here. Same as license conditions, there should be some method by which the relevant authorities are copied in when someone makes a complaint which covers these areas.

As it stands at present Ofgem don't deal with individual cases so a company can breach license conditions as they wish and only fear enforcement if it gets very frequent.

Is there a link we can post for BACS?

Npower (and others) really do abuse the direct debit system...

joncombe

undercover_peon wrote: »

Is there a link we can post for BACS?

Npower (and others) really do abuse the direct debit system...

Try this : http://www.directdebit.co.uk/Resources/Pages/ContactUs.aspx

AliceBanned

undercover_peon wrote: »

Sounds like Npower have not satisfied the rules of the direct debit scheme (again), out of interest how do you get your bills?

I really think, of all their failings, the ones that relate to them pillaging people's bank accounts are the worst. Ofgem really is asleep at the wheel here.

I get paper bills - not sure how often but not monthly. I think quarterly. I did owe them the two £66 payments, according to the monthly direct debit I had set up, but I had just switched to paying from Santander and they had advised me to pay £66 manually as it had missed a payment. Admittedly I hadn't paid this as was struggling to find the money - then wham it came out of that account, which I was not warned about. I was told to make the payment manually and it would not come out via DD.

AliceBanned

joncombe wrote: »

I would recommend logging a complaint with BACS about it (I did). It does seem Npower are quite happy to contiue to ignore the rules they agreed to abide by when signing up to the scheme. Only if people complain are BACS likely to become aware of how often this happens and (hopefully) take action.

OK - I did owe them that amount - the point is I wasn't forewarned and hadn't agreed for that amount to come from that account, so funds were not in there.

AliceBanned

undercover_peon wrote: »

Whilst I agree it is important to log such complaints I feel there is a glaring gap in procedures here. Same as license conditions, there should be some method by which the relevant authorities are copied in when someone makes a complaint which covers these areas.

As it stands at present Ofgem don't deal with individual cases so a company can breach license conditions as they wish and only fear enforcement if it gets very frequent.

Is there a link we can post for BACS?

Npower (and others) really do abuse the direct debit system...

Since this happened I have lost faith in the direct debit system - though it has been fine until now. I am beginning to think I will manage my money better if I have very few of them. It is so easy to end up paying for things you don't want or need, or paying too soon for things rather than having control. I have even cancelled my season ticket and am paying for individual journeys and working from home more. Sick of companies bleediing me dry.

AliceBanned

joncombe wrote: »

Try this : http://www.directdebit.co.uk/Resources/Pages/ContactUs.aspx

Thanks, that's helpful. I think I will use the App. Good for keeping track of things.