Npower trying to rip me off

meester

Npower have a scam that makes them millions a year of massively overcharging on their fixed payments (my wife stays at home, we have children, several computers, use loads of electricity, but in 2 years paid over £200 more than we used). Anyway, have moved home and got electricity meter reading but not gas (didn't have the meter key). It is likely that we are hundreds in credit, but Npower is refusing to take a meter reading now we have moved out (even though the meter is outside the house).

Is there anything we can do?

r.mac_2

surely they have to take a meter reading to issue you a final bill????

If you have been dealing with npower over the phone call again and ask to speak to a manager. Ask for their deatils and if you get no-where write to them copying your letter to energywatch.

I have had to contact energywatch regarding Npower before and htey are really helpful and my problem got sorted out quikly after that.


good luck

meester

they were going to estimate the final reading, only trouble being their estimate is undoubtedly far too high.

tripled

They are only obliged to read the meter every two years, so whilst you may not appreciate the estimate, they are within their rights to use one. Also if you have left the property, they may well only go out and read it if the new occupier requests them to. BG has a similar policy, and to my knowledge Scottish Power do as well.

Can't you try to get in touch with the new owners/landlord/housing assoc/whoever and see if they can get a reading for you, and pass it onto nPower? Or go round and take one yourself - a pair of longnose pliers usually does the job, or many hardware stores sell meter keys as well.

If you can't get a reading, then why not work out your average consumption over the last couple of years, and if the reading they use goes significantly above that, then make a complaint.

I would also point out the meter box is part of the fabric of the property so belongs to the homeowner, not the utility co, so the fact you don't have a key to your own meter box is hardly nPower's fault.

magyar

r.mac wrote: »

surely they have to take a meter reading to issue you a final bill????

If you have been dealing with npower over the phone call again and ask to speak to a manager. Ask for their deatils and if you get no-where write to them copying your letter to energywatch.

I have had to contact energywatch regarding Npower before and htey are really helpful and my problem got sorted out quikly after that.


good luck

One piece of advice I always give is to make sure you let npower (or whichever utility you're talking about) know that you're intending to contact Energywatch. They will want to avoid a customer complaint and this may well spur them into action.