NPower old bill *RESOLVED*

fuzzgun19

I moved to a property in Sept 2012, and switched supplier from NPower pretty quickly.
I left NPower in Nov 2012, and paid the remainder of the bill that was sent to me by payment card (Paypoint).

I received a Gas 'Reminder' May 2014, which was a bit of a shock, as I thought I'd cleared this supplier via Paypoint. I panicked a little and called them to ask what it was about, they said it was what I owed from 2012, I paid £10 off the bill over the phone, and arranged to clear the rest monthly (they stated this arrangement would show on my credit files).

I have today watched an article on This Morning program, which featured Alice Beer talking about the NPower billing fiasco.

In it she stated "If you have left Npower and suddenly got a bill - if you left more than 6 months ago, NPower are writing off the bills. If between 6 weeks and 6 months, they have a sliding scale of compensation and people should call them to get some money off - it's not fair paying when others get theirs written off".

I just called NPower to ask about this but feel I was fobbed off. The lady stated -

"If you left before 1st Dec 2013 and haven't received a final bill before 1st June 2014, any unbilled would be cleared".

They said I was billed in May 2013 but I don't remember receiving this.

Have I been fobbed of, or is this correct and I'm still liable?

SeduLOUs

According to Martin Lewis on the podcast they are supposed to be writing off anything that had a delay in billing of over 12 months.

They 'claim' to have sent you a bill 8 months after you left them, but then failed to chased it for a further 12 months?? I'd be telling them to shove it.

fuzzgun19

Thank you.
Is there a way of disputing this by letter/email?
I'm rubbish over the phone, and they just come back with all their fob offs and talk over me, I'm much better stating my case in words.

Trouble is, my '1st' payment is due at the end of this month, and if I don't pay it, they will mark my credit file accordingly.

SeduLOUs

I honestly can't remember it in great detail, but listen it was a topic in three of the most recent podcasts (which all mention NPower/Energy in the title) as Martin Lewis gave some advice on it there.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/consumer

Seems strange that they would start to mark your credit file now for a bill that is already over 12 months late according to them? But who knows with these people.

It probably would be better to send a formal complaint.

fuzzgun19

I have drafted a complaint letter noting the points in my op.

Should I be giving them a set time (14 days) to respond before complaining to the ombudsman?

fuzzgun19

I am going to give them 14 days to respond, and I'm posting the letter to their head office at -

npower centre
Oak House
Bridgwater Road
Warndon
Worcester
WR4 9FP

My first instalment is due to reach them by 4th July, if I send this letter and the account is in 'dispute', will the payment arrangement be put on hold?

I assume doing this will mess up my credit files too?

joncombe

fuzzgun19 wrote: »

I am going to give them 14 days to respond, and I'm posting the letter to their head office at -

npower centre
Oak House
Bridgwater Road
Warndon
Worcester
WR4 9FP

I don't think you should send it there. Send your letter to the official complaints address.

npower,
Customer Relations,
PO Box 97,
Peterlee,
County Durham,
SR8 9AP

Sending it to the wrong address might mean it gets ignored (of course it might even if you send it to the right address, this is npower...) or at least delayed.

fuzzgun19

Thanks, I'm going to email a copy to [EMAIL="Executive.Complaints@npower.com"]Executive.Complaints@npow er.com[/EMAIL] too.

nPower

fuzzgun19 wrote: »

I moved to a property in Sept 2012, and switched supplier from NPower pretty quickly.
I left NPower in Nov 2012, and paid the remainder of the bill that was sent to me by payment card (Paypoint).

I received a Gas 'Reminder' May 2014, which was a bit of a shock, as I thought I'd cleared this supplier via Paypoint. I panicked a little and called them to ask what it was about, they said it was what I owed from 2012, I paid £10 off the bill over the phone, and arranged to clear the rest monthly (they stated this arrangement would show on my credit files).

I have today watched an article on This Morning program, which featured Alice Beer talking about the NPower billing fiasco.

In it she stated "If you have left Npower and suddenly got a bill - if you left more than 6 months ago, NPower are writing off the bills. If between 6 weeks and 6 months, they have a sliding scale of compensation and people should call them to get some money off - it's not fair paying when others get theirs written off".

I just called NPower to ask about this but feel I was fobbed off. The lady stated -

"If you left before 1st Dec 2013 and haven't received a final bill before 1st June 2014, any unbilled would be cleared".

They said I was billed in May 2013 but I don't remember receiving this.

Have I been fobbed of, or is this correct and I'm still liable?

Hello fuzzgun19,

Thank you for your post.

I will be more than happy to look into your account for you and the points raised in your post. If you would like me to please send your details on an email to the address on my profile page.

Thanks

Carmel

fuzzgun19

Thanks Npower Rep, I will email you now.

Edit: I have sent you an email Carmel, I hope you can reply personally. I fear my credit report will now be affected by the 'arrangement' that was forced upon me by NPower.

fuzzgun19

This has now been resolved.

I have received a letter from NPowerstating they are wiping the bill, so well done NPower, thanks for that :T