Mis-billed by Scottish Power

paulholloway87

Hi all,

I've recently switched my energy supplier from Eon to Scottish Power (SP). Since joining in May, SP have muddled up my meter readings so that I'm now being charged for daily usage at a night rate, and vice versa, such that my bill is about 1/3 of what it should be. I've contacted SP (on many occasions) so that they are aware. Without ranting about how awful their customer service is, I would like to know if I should continue to enjoy cheap electricity at SP's expense, based on the 'Back-billing' principle - as based on the several attempts i have made to correct SP's blunder, I doubt that this will be amended before the year is out.

Thanks.

naedanger

paulholloway87 wrote: »

Hi all,

I've recently switched my energy supplier from Eon to Scottish Power (SP). Since joining in May, SP have muddled up my meter readings so that I'm now being charged for daily usage at a night rate, and vice versa, such that my bill is about 1/3 of what it should be. I've contacted SP (on many occasions) so that they are aware. Without ranting about how awful their customer service is, I would like to know if I should continue to enjoy cheap electricity at SP's expense, based on the 'Back-billing' principle - as based on the several attempts i have made to correct SP's blunder, I doubt that this will be amended before the year is out.

Thanks.

After a year (possibly from when you first told them of the problem rather that when they took over the supply), and if you are giving accurate meter readings or they are taking them, then I believe the back billing principle should apply. Other people may have different views.

I suggest you read the back billing code for yourself (see link) to determine how able you would be to argue your case:

http://economyenergy.co.uk/web/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/code-of-practice-back-billing.pdf

Obviously keep evidence that you informed SP of their mistake on many occasions.

Another point to note is that the supplier can always (regardless of any billing errors they may have made), charge for all energy used in the previous 12 months under the back billing code .

Alternatively submit a formal complaint to SP. Then if they don't fix the problem take the problem to the Ombudsman. Then if SP have not implemented the Ombudsman's remedy within 28 days I think SP have agreed to provide free energy until the remedy is implement. (However I am not certain of the detail so maybe this offer would not apply in your case.)

footyguy

paulholloway87 wrote: »

Hi all,

I've recently switched my energy supplier from Eon to Scottish Power (SP). Since joining in May, SP have muddled up my meter readings so that I'm now being charged for daily usage at a night rate, and vice versa, such that my bill is about 1/3 of what it should be. I've contacted SP (on many occasions) so that they are aware. Without ranting about how awful their customer service is, I would like to know if I should continue to enjoy cheap electricity at SP's expense, based on the 'Back-billing' principle - as based on the several attempts i have made to correct SP's blunder, I doubt that this will be amended before the year is out.

Thanks.

You can find all about the back billing policy here:
http://www.energy-uk.org.uk/customers/energy-industry-codes/code-of-practice-for-accurate-bills.html

In the meantime, I would urge you to follow the suppliers complaint procedure, putting your complaint in writing (not email)

[Deleted User]

paulholloway87 wrote: »

Hi all,

I've recently switched my energy supplier from Eon to Scottish Power (SP). Since joining in May, SP have muddled up my meter readings so that I'm now being charged for daily usage at a night rate, and vice versa, such that my bill is about 1/3 of what it should be. I've contacted SP (on many occasions) so that they are aware. Without ranting about how awful their customer service is, I would like to know if I should continue to enjoy cheap electricity at SP's expense, based on the 'Back-billing' principle - as based on the several attempts i have made to correct SP's blunder, I doubt that this will be amended before the year is out.

Thanks.

Do you have an old analogue 24 hr circular timer switch ? these old things are frequently so far out of the correct time the 7 hr cheap rate could be anywhere in the 24 hrs.
You personally know , I hope , the correct day/night rates on your (probably) digital meter..Day rate on these can be set on R1 or R2 so its an easy thing to get wrong You should be informing the supplier of the mix up and labeling your meter to stop any more mess ups. They can back bill up to 6 years, I` ve seen it happening often enough and even to go as far as force fitting a prepayment meter to collect the debt