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Problem switching to cheaper tariff

donna_hopper
Posts: 1 Newbie
in Energy
Hello im new to this but have been on the comparison site and found a cheaper tariff but can not change.I am currently with scottish power for electricity on a pre pay meter an am upto date with my bills. When i rang up i could save £99 per year with scottish power but if i change i will have to have a credit check to pay direct debit and will cost £150 to have this done. I don't have a great credit score, if i dont pass it i will still have to pay this PLEASE HELP!!!!!
Thank you
Thank you
0
Comments
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donna_hopper wrote: »Hello im new to this but have been on the comparison site and found a cheaper tariff but can not change.I am currently with scottish power for electricity on a pre pay meter an am upto date with my bills. When i rang up i could save £99 per year with scottish power but if i change i will have to have a credit check to pay direct debit and will cost £150 to have this done. I don't have a great credit score, if i dont pass it i will still have to pay this PLEASE HELP!!!!!
Thank you
It would seem to me you probably input the incorrect data into the comparison site - try again ensuring you input the correct details of your current PPM tarrif0 -
As your credit score is not good you could spend the next year trying to improve it so that in 12 months you can pass the credit check more easily.
After all if you were to score badly then you have wasted £150 to save £99. Also, I am wondering if the £150 is perhaps just a security deposit rather than a credit check charge as that seems rather expensive for a credit check. If I am right (hopefully) then the £150 would go against future bills.0 -
Deleted_User wrote: »As your credit score is not good you could spend the next year trying to improve it so that in 12 months you can pass the credit check more easily.
After all if you were to score badly then you have wasted £150 to save £99. Also, I am wondering if the £150 is perhaps just a security deposit rather than a credit check charge as that seems rather expensive for a credit check. If I am right (hopefully) then the £150 would go against future bills.
The £150 may relate to the security deposit as you suggest.
This MSE article has lots of good info for those on PPM meters, including those looking to have then exchanged for credit meters.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity
It indicates it probably is a security deposit0 -
donna_hopper wrote: »Hello im new to this but have been on the comparison site and found a cheaper tariff but can not change.I am currently with scottish power for electricity on a pre pay meter an am upto date with my bills. When i rang up i could save £99 per year with scottish power but if i change i will have to have a credit check to pay direct debit and will cost £150 to have this done. I don't have a great credit score, if i dont pass it i will still have to pay this PLEASE HELP!!!!!
Thank you
Hi donna hopper,
I'm sorry for any confusion this matter has caused. I would like to assure you that the £150 is a security deposit which is dependent on the outcome of a credit check. There is definitely no charge for the credit check to be done initially.
I have added some information from our website below.
How can I replace the prepayment meter in my home with an ordinary one? If you ask us to remove the prepayment meter we’ll ask some questions to determine the suitability of a credit meter for your circumstances. This will involve a credit check and, depending on the outcome of that check, we may request a security deposit (usually £150 per fuel) before we can arrange to replace your meter. The security deposit will be repaid when you have made all payments for your energy bills on time over a year.
We’ll ask you to confirm any address you’ve lived at during the last three years and we’ll also need up to date meter readings and any balance outstanding on your meter so we can provide you with your account balance. If you need help to read your meter and balance please see our Meter Reading Guide.- Are accepted for the Fuel Direct scheme
- Have special needs and a prepayment meter is unsuitable.
I hope this helps. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
Kind regards
Faye“Official Company Representative
I am the official company representative of Scottish Power. MSE has given permission for me to post in response to queries about the company, so that I can help solve issues. You can see my name on the companies with permission to post list. I am not allowed to tout for business at all. If you believe I am please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com This does NOT imply any form of approval of my company or its products by MSE"0 -
"There is definitely no charge for the credit check to be done initially."
Does that imply that there is a charge, however it is applied at some later date?*** This Space For Rent ***0
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