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Out of the blue demand for nearly £400 on prepayment gas BG

anewman
anewman Posts: 9,200 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
edited 3 October 2015 at 4:04PM in Energy
Just got a letter saying it's more than 5 weeks since last topped up gas meter and this means I've broken a payment agreement with British Gas. I wasn't aware of any such payment agreement, and thought I could simply top up as and when necessary. It asks that I repay the full amount, or if I top up my gas meter all of the credit I put on will be taken to pay this. I was never aware of this or where this came from.

I'm starting to wonder if I've been repaying someone else's debt without knowing about it ever since I moved in 4 years ago?

Currently on hold on phone. 20 minutes and still waiting.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 3 October 2015 at 6:59PM
    The only agreement you have with BGs prepay meters ( if there is no debt on the meters ) is to pay the daily standing charges.These come to approx £1.80 a week. You may well have been paying debt off on the meter if they are saying you have an agreement..Screens 26 and 27 on the gas meter and "S" and "T" on the electric meters will show total debt owed and weekly repayment. Ihese screens can only be seen with both key or card inserted. I ve met many people who unwittingly pay off someones debt if they move in and start using the key and card found at the meters or the landlord just hands you them.You will have to furnish proof and date of occupancy to get the money repaid.
  • anewman
    anewman Posts: 9,200 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    The meter says owed £0.00. The annual gas summary received in August makes no mention of any debt.
  • footyguy
    footyguy Posts: 4,157 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    anewman wrote: »
    Just got a letter saying it's more than 5 weeks since last topped up gas meter and this means I've broken a payment agreement with British Gas. I wasn't aware of any such payment agreement, and thought I could simply top up as and when necessary. It asks that I repay the full amount, or if I top up my gas meter all of the credit I put on will be taken to pay this. I was never aware of this or where this came from.

    I'm starting to wonder if I've been repaying someone else's debt without knowing about it ever since I moved in 4 years ago?

    Currently on hold on phone. 20 minutes and still waiting.

    Ask the supplier to provide evidence of the payment agreement they refer to.

    If you don't believe you owe the supplier the £400 demanded, ask them to prove it.
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