£50 Scottish Power compensation for mis-selling

2013yearofthehouse

A relative of mine has just told me she got a £50 cheque through the post today from Scottish Power.

She got a letter in November saying she may be entitled to compensation for mis-selling (long story....short version....many many years ago a doorstep salesman got her to sign papers to confirm that she was aware that SSE were "changing their name" but that "nothing would change", next thing she knows she's been changed suppliers. SSE promptly changed her back after she rang them and they sent her a free energy monitor as an apology, even thought it wasn't their fault).

There was a form to fill out online and she doesn't have internet so I did it for her. All they needed was her name, address and name of old tariff she had with old supplier. It said she'd get a letter within 28 days saying either way whether she'd be getting compensation. I can't remember the details, but it seemed to suggest she'd either get £5, £10 or nothing. Having not heard anything for 5 months, we'd just figured it was a lost cause, so to get a £50 cheque today was quite a surprise for her.

Anyway, had a quick search on the forum and read a few post from back in Oct/Nov which seem to suggest anyone who didn't get compensation by December wasn't getting any. Also, there seems to have been some disagreements on who would qualify for this compensation. The £50 amount seems to have been suggested as for those on certain benefits, none of which my relative is on. Also, the amount seems much higher than expected and is obviously very late. Maybe it's a mistake? :huh:

2013yearofthehouse

I've got more information now.

Apparently, they were unable to obtain the previous tarriff's pricing information to be able to calculate the compensation for my relative's specific case. They are "proposing" that £50 is suitable as an "appropriate settlement level". Information about the appeals process was included with the cheque, so the case can be reopened and assessed if she can supply the pricing infomation of the previous supplier. If anything she could appeal for less of a payment, on the grounds of honestly, as there's no way the difference in price for a few weeks would total anywhere near £50.

Has anyone else had compensation? Or still waiting for conpensation?

Interesting, the letter says "to date more than 80% of claims processed have resulted in no compensation being required and of the 20% found to be due compensation the average payment has been £30", so this £50 is more than generous in this case.