Angry with Scottish Power

dirty_magic

We've recently moved house and our old house had a prepayment meter with Scottish Power. We had a bill saying we owed £30 when we moved, which we called them about to ask for a breakdown as we don't see how we can be in debit on a prepayment meter.

We were told they'd put a lock on our account and nothing would be done until their debt investigations team had replied to us. I've come home today to a letter from a debt collection agency threatening legal action and saying my credit rating could be affected.

I'm so annoyed! We left £10 on it when we moved, so if anything they should owe us! How can we owe on a prepayment meter? Scottish Power won't tell me, he just said the lock was missed in error and it won't affect my credit rating because he's activated it now while the debt investigations team look into it, but frankly I don't believe a word they say.

CashStrapped

Did you get this bill after you moved?

dirty_magic

Yes it was after we moved, redirected from the old address. The debt collectors letter is addressed to our new address.

If they can tell us why we have a debit balance on a prepayment meter and show us where it's come from then I'll pay it, but I'm not impressed with them for starting legal action when I've already reported a dispute!

CashStrapped

Before you moved house, did you ring Scottish Power to tell them you were moving and close the account?

If you did not, and you just left a bit of credit on the meter, this could have been used up by the new owners whilst they moved it.

When they got round to setting up their account, the small credit on the meter could have turned into a debit. As they were just setting up the account and with no information from yourself, Scottish Power would assume you left the house with a small debit.

I can only assume that prepayment meters allow small debits in case of emergency. I am sure others with more experience of prepayment meters will know this.

This is very similar to leaving a house without giving meter readings as it causes a mess as to who used what etc.

dirty_magic

We phoned straight away and sent meter readings for the 2 rates and the total, it's economy 7. I've still got pictures of the meter readings.There are no new owners, it's still up for rent.

We're not having much luck with utility companies. Out of the three we're dealing with one has sent us an unexpected bill and the other two have said we haven't provided meter readings when we have! It was the first thing we did.

CashStrapped

Well you need to raise a formal complaint by email with scottish power, send the pictures as evidence. Ensure you get confirmation of receipt. You need to follow the complaints proceedure through and if you are not happy with the outcome go to the energy ombudsman.

Do not be scared by the debt collection letters. In fact, the debt collection company is probably just Scottish Power under another name.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/utilities/2014/09/ofgem-to-investigate-misleading-energy-firm-letters

this has been in the headlines recently.

dirty_magic

Thanks, I'll do that tomorrow. They did say it won't affect my credit rating but it's worrying getting letters when I've never defaulted on anything! We only had the prepayment meter because of the previous tenant.