Energy Companies Scams

Former Spark Representative

Hi Zagros


I'm extremely sorry that you didn't get a response to this post back when you first posted it.


I really hope everything has been sorted out now, but if not, please contact me using the details in my profile. I'd just need to know your full supply address and have confirmation of your full name and your forum name.


Kind regards


Jenny
Customer Relations Manager

Zagros wrote: »

I have had so much issues with erroneous meter readings and demand for payments from BW Legal that has forced me to make a complaint to Ombudsman. Despite providing photographic evidence they claim to have conducted an internal investigation and still don't provide the right bill nor the right meter readings. Unfortunately Spark was forced on us by Foxton's estate agent and since then have provided us with 3 different meter readings but none that looks like the photographic evidence that I have provided. BW Legal keep asking for over 2400 pounds of inflated bill and not interested in evidence. WARNING ...DO NOT SWITCH OR BE FORCED TO SWITCH OVER TO SPARK ENERGY.
I am also engaging a solicitor to deal with this case as I am sure my evidence will stand up in the court of law.

Former Spark Representative

Hi davidgmmafan


I'm sorry you didn't get a response to this back when you first posted it.


I can confirm that we do not proactively object to customers switching supplier.


Customers can switch to another provider as long as they are not over a certain amount of debt, and our procedures are in line with industry guidelines.


Kind regards


Jenny
Customer Relations Manager

davidgmmafan wrote: »

It might be useful to start your own thread. If we are bumping it though I'd like to ask the Spark rep if they still adopt the practice of proactively objecting to the supply leaving to force customers to contact them with a meter reading. They then produce a bill which they expect to be paid before the customer leaves.


This is the reverse of how this industry process is supposed to work.

Former Spark Representative

Hi jontyoliver


Sorry to hear about this. Most properties managed by the letting agents we work with are already with Spark Energy, so tenants inherit us as a supplier.


If you'd like me to investigate what's happened with regards to BW contacting you, please contact me using the details in my profile, confirming your full supply address along with your real name and forum name.


I'd be happy to help.


Kind regards


Jenny
Customer Relations Manager

jontyoliver wrote: »

When we moved in to out rented flat in Aug 2013 the letting agents tried their little scam of getting us to switch to Spark, making out that we had no choice. Obviously, we knew differently and immediately switched to EON. We set up an account with EON the day we moved in and as far as I'm aware we have had our energy with EON the full time we have been in this flat.

Skip forward 2 and a half years and I have just received a final notice from BW Legal advising I owe them £99.80 as they have taken on this debt from Spark Energy. This is the first I have heard that I owe Spark a penny, they have NEVER corresponded with me in any way.

I was bullied into paying the outstanding amount as BW Legal said it's nothing to do with them and threatened that if it is not paid within 14 days a CCJ will be put in place and legal fees will have to be paid. They also said Spark will most likely not talk to me now as the debt no longer belongs to them.

A very dodgy company using underhand tactics if you ask me ...

Former Spark Representative

Hi Londoner_1


Thanks for your post


I'm pleased to hear that you didn't have any problems with our service, but I'm sorry that it took longer than expected to get your refund.


It can take up to 28 working days for refunds to be processed, it sounds like it's been paid now, but if it hasn't or if there's anything else you'd like to discuss then please drop me a line as I'd be happy to help.


If you do decide to get in touch please contact me using the details on my profile, confirming your full supply address, along with your real name and your forum name.


Kind regards


Jenny
Customer Relations Manager

Londoner_1 wrote: »

I was a Spark customer for 1 year, never had any problems, DD were collected on time, never increased, i used to phone up to update meter readings as well. Only issue was it took 6 weeks to get back my money after i left (was over £250 in credit) which was normal practice with spark.

Other than that I was always in control and had no issues.

PS : I was not renting, i'm a owner/occupier.

csgohan4

Feel sorry for the spark rep here, having to copy and paste so many replies that they make about half of the replies on here.

Bottom line, Spark have reviews that objectively show what they think of customers.

Chiswick_JLB

I am currently having a shocking experience with Spark energy. Since last year this has been ongoing and they claim to not be able to access my metre - which I can also not access. The below email was sent to them in October and since then they have promised to call me dozens of times, they promised my credit wouldn't be affected and it has, they have lied about coming to read the metre, I haven't paid a bill as advised by them and although I opened an official complaint, they have closed it without resolving it and I have now received a £1500 bill.

I tweeted it and received multiple replies saying people are all experiencing the same appalling service. I even emailed their CEO to no avail.

I have also contacted the Ombudsman.

Long story short:

- I moved in to my flat in September two years ago.

- Upon connecting as a new tenant with their company, I was told a "proper" reading had not been taken for years - one of their team at the time told me that this would result in much higher bills so they would need to come and take a reading.

- they never did and I was unable to register as a tenant. I chased 8/9 times at least by phone.

- I was told by their team that one of my metres is off site so I cannot access both or give a reading, someone would contact our concierge and arrange this.

- I then started getting people ringing my door bell at all hours of the day and night asking to come in to the building, but from all different companies. I was alone every time so I didn't let them in as no warning was given and I was told that it wasn't inside my flat anyway.

- I complained by phone. Nothing. Complained again, nothing. I complained a third time and explained that I just wanted this sorted. I was told someone would contact me all the times I complained and no one ever did. I then became concerned about the size of the bill and asked if I could pay an amount towards it - I paid £300 but the woman I spoke to advised me that this may not be the correct amount and that I should wait for the metre reading. She also promised to update my notes.

- the metre reading never happened. I must have called at least 8 - 12 times and every time I have been fobbed off. Someone called Nathan James who was a manager I was told would be in touch, staff were given my email and phone number multiple times and I told them if they couldn't get through on the phone to email. Nothing STILL.

- then I get a letter from the guy Nathan saying he understands I've been messed around and that id been given a credit of £75.

- I would have accepted this had someone actually spoken to me about what to do next but again, I complained and said I am concerned about my credit rating and the outstanding amount. The man I spoke to most recently promised that I would be granted more compensation and be offered a way to pay as he said it was completely unacceptable in terms of the way it had been handled. He also said yet again, that this Nathan guy would 100% call me to rectify this. Nothing, yet again.

I've called multiple times since and left my email yet again - there is simply nothing I can do any more. I'm an extremely busy person as it is and I've been trying to fix this situation which is out of my hands for months, and have been trying to give them money and they are just impossible. I have reported this to multiple sources included watchdog and panorama and urge everyone to do the same.

SeanHughes

This is exactly the same issue I am now facing but to the value of £1,323.40.

Even more interesting Spark Energy are trying to say it was me who is responsible for the debt however this was a shared living accommodation of 2 other students. This debt was apparently incurred back in 2013, and have only now have I recently been contacted regarding the debt.

Their legal representatives BW Legal and Merligen Investment have both made contact threatening legal actions.

More interesting again, I believe Spark Energy have been prosecuted for something similar to this back in 2013 by Ofcom to the value of £250,000. - google this case. there is a post by the Telegraph capturing this (not allowed to post the link)

any advice or help would be appreciated

Rob_Wills

The authorities are ignoring the continuing criminal behaviour of Spark. :mad:

They have already been "slapped on the wrist" once" - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/energy/11416590/Spark-Energy-fined-after-blocking-29000-customer-requests-to-quit.html - it well past time they had their licence withdrawn.

House_Martin

Chiswick_JLB wrote: »

I am currently having a shocking experience with Spark energy. Since last year this has been ongoing and they claim to not be able to access my metre - which I can also not access. The below email was sent to them in October and since then they have promised to call me dozens of times, they promised my credit wouldn't be affected and it has, they have lied about coming to read the metre, I haven't paid a bill as advised by them and although I opened an official complaint, they have closed it without resolving it and I have now received a £1500 bill.

I tweeted it and received multiple replies saying people are all experiencing the same appalling service. I even emailed their CEO to no avail.

I have also contacted the Ombudsman.

Long story short:

- I moved in to my flat in September two years ago.

- Upon connecting as a new tenant with their company, I was told a "proper" reading had not been taken for years - one of their team at the time told me that this would result in much higher bills so they would need to come and take a reading.

- they never did and I was unable to register as a tenant. I chased 8/9 times at least by phone.

- I was told by their team that one of my metres is off site so I cannot access both or give a reading, someone would contact our concierge and arrange this.

- I then started getting people ringing my door bell at all hours of the day and night asking to come in to the building, but from all different companies. I was alone every time so I didn't let them in as no warning was given and I was told that it wasn't inside my flat anyway.

- I complained by phone. Nothing. Complained again, nothing. I complained a third time and explained that I just wanted this sorted. I was told someone would contact me all the times I complained and no one ever did. I then became concerned about the size of the bill and asked if I could pay an amount towards it - I paid £300 but the woman I spoke to advised me that this may not be the correct amount and that I should wait for the metre reading. She also promised to update my notes.

- the metre reading never happened. I must have called at least 8 - 12 times and every time I have been fobbed off. Someone called Nathan James who was a manager I was told would be in touch, staff were given my email and phone number multiple times and I told them if they couldn't get through on the phone to email. Nothing STILL.

- then I get a letter from the guy Nathan saying he understands I've been messed around and that id been given a credit of £75.

- I would have accepted this had someone actually spoken to me about what to do next but again, I complained and said I am concerned about my credit rating and the outstanding amount. The man I spoke to most recently promised that I would be granted more compensation and be offered a way to pay as he said it was completely unacceptable in terms of the way it had been handled. He also said yet again, that this Nathan guy would 100% call me to rectify this. Nothing, yet again.

I've called multiple times since and left my email yet again - there is simply nothing I can do any more. I'm an extremely busy person as it is and I've been trying to fix this situation which is out of my hands for months, and have been trying to give them money and they are just impossible. I have reported this to multiple sources included watchdog and panorama and urge everyone to do the same.

It has absolutely nothing to do with Spark Energy whatsoever if one of their contracted meter readers cannot access your meter.
I work for Spark Energy meter reading quite a lot ,(now done by MDS) , usually trying to access meters in flats where the management company have gone out of their way to make it difficult for anyone, tenants included, to get to the meters in the locked cupboards. Sometimes the meter cupboard is a firedoor with instructions to keep it shut (not locked ) but against the fire door regulations, the idiots lock it and throw away the key
They may have left possibly one key with one tenant who predictably is never around at any time.
This is not uncommon nowadays and its getting worse.
I don`t know if these companies trust their tenants not to tamper the prepayment meters but I suspect that health and safety is behind this as a tampered electric gas and electric meter is a big fire risk
Spark Energys tariffs are much cheaper than the big 6 but only for their fixed deals.Their standard variable tariffs are pretty similar to the rest..expensive.
Spark are always going to have more problems than most suppliers when they concentrate on student/flat dwellers, many who are first time customers in their first homes. They put the utility bills well down the list of importance in their busy young lives and frequently end up in debt
. iphone/Samsung monthly mobile contract comes first