NPower Phoning For Additional Readings - Why?

thedrumdoctor

Bit weird this one, just before 8pm tonight I get a call from an Npower person asking for a meter reading over the phone. I explain I've just given a meter reading on their website, received a bill and paid it, but this apparently in an "additional reading" and "is it convenient?"

I say no it isn't convenient right now as it involves looking for torches to see inside the cupboards so she says they'll call back back in a couple of days. I ask why they need another reading and that I could submit another online reading tomorrow the answer remains as "it's just an additional reading by phone..."

Am I being paranoid here as I smell a rat?

I get my reminders to read my meter by email.

I read the meter; they send me another email informing me my bill is ready.

I pay the bill on an actual reading, not an estimate - what's the problem?

They also send blokes around to read meters pretty regular in the evenings (with torches). Why would they need additional readings by telephone?

Or is there some other agenda on customer mistrust going on?

Andy_WSM

thedrumdoctor wrote: »

Am I being paranoid here as I smell a rat?

Possibly!

It may well be that the computer has flagged a potential discrepancy in your useage so they want an interim reading to check your consumption over a short duration, which will give them an indication that the meter is working ok.

- Not that I thought nPower had this level of intelligence, but stranger things have happened.

chanz4

or you could of red the meter wrong

thedrumdoctor

chanz4 wrote: »

or you could of red the meter wrong

True! I'll have to compare what it is now to the last reading, but I heard stories about NPower having some discrepancies with their billing so started to wonder if there are problems their end with billing calculation and I'm about to get some sort of shock demand for underpayment that is due to them.

GingerBob_3

The root cause of this problem is that they've got your telephone number. Can you ask/require them to remove it from their systems?

I can see no good reason whatsoever why a utility company should have your phone number.

naedanger

thedrumdoctor wrote: »

... I explain I've just given a meter reading on their website, received a bill and paid it, but this apparently in an "additional reading" and "is it convenient?"

... I ask why they need another reading and that I could submit another online reading tomorrow the answer remains as "it's just an additional reading by phone..."

Am I being paranoid here as I smell a rat?

It would certainly help if they gave you an informative answer to your question. If they explained what is concerning them it would help you know what to look for when re-reading the meter.

I too would be a bit suspicious if they did not give me the reason. However I can't see any harm in giving them another reading.