Spark Energy and Opos Limit problem

Im_A_Mouse_In_Need

Reposting in case Spark representative did not see it over the weekend.

I forwarded the details to the email address listed under the Spark profile on here.

The daily texts and phone calls seem to have paused for now, but I am left none the wiser as to what is going on, and my account still shows incorrect meter readings and me owing them money.

I just want Spark to check my evidence, restore the balance to zero, and confirm that they are not going to do the same thing in a few months time.

Former Spark Representative

Hi Im_A_Mouse_In_Need

Thanks for your post.

I'm really sorry you're having problems with your account.

I've picked up your email this afternoon, emailed you a complaint reference number, and I'll be in touch again once I've had the chance to review your complaint and account.

Kind regards

Jenny
Customer Relations Manager

lekha85

I was erroneously transferred to Spark Energy by a letting agent. The letting agent didn't have the permission from either myself or the landlord to make the transfer. The letting agent promised me they would arrange for the property to be switched back to Scottish Power and I wouldn't be billed by Spark. Spark Energy blocked the transfer back claiming it not to be erroneous. Eventually, after 8 months of phone calls I got it transferred back but Spark tried to block it at every turn.
22, yes 22, months later I get an email from a Opos telling me I owed Spark £290, despite myself, nor the landlord, ever agreeing to be a customer of Spark. I have never seen or received a bill from Spark in this time.
Sadly, it would appear the whole thing is an agreement between letting agents and Spark to get unsuspecting tenants signed up to pay over-inflated prices. And they make it as difficult as possible to switch back. This as much the letting agent's doing as Spark, but they have to take equal responsibility for what seems very close to a scam, forcing people to switch without their permission and then blocking attempts to switch back for as long as possible. I also had no contact from Spark during this time.
I thought it had all been sorted once I finally switched back to Scottish Power and paid my money to them.
I had read dozens of similar reviews and people having similar issues when I found out I had been switched to Spark, which is why I challenged the initial transfer. Sadly, I too got caught up in their net...

Former Spark Representative

Hi lekha85

Sorry to hear you're not happy.

If the letting agent didn't have the landlord's permission to switch the property to Spark, then it should have been marked as a "DNP" meaning Do Not Process, and if it had been sent to Spark in error, an Erroneous Transfer should have been accepted once we were made aware by the Letting Agent.

As we take it on good faith that the Letting Agent is passing us accurate information, it's worth discussing this further with the Letting Agent, if you have any concerns about why we started supplying the property.

Tenants aren't tied into a tariff with over-inflated prices. When a tenant moves into a property, any supplier would charge them at their standard variable tariff, and Spark actually offer a good deal. When a tenant moves in with Spark, they join our Move-in Saver tariff that’s cheaper than the Big Six average.

Once a tenant has moved in, they can either sign up to one of our cheaper fixed or variable Direct Debit tariffs, or use a comparison site to sign up for a deal with another company.

There's more information about the move-in tariff on the "Price Promise" section on our website.

It concerns me that you've advised not receiving a bill and that you're also hearing from Opos.

The best thing to do would be to email the address in my profile, confirming your full name and supply address, and giving any other information you feel is relevant. I'd be happy to help if I hear from you.

Kind regards

Jenny
Customer Relations Manager

lekha85

Thank you for your response.

It seems remarkably convenient that, having spoken to Opos and paid the bill yesterday morning, that I suddenly received a bill from Spark having written on here to warn other consumers of the issues I had. It only took 20 months to send a bill that I wasn't meant to get in the first place!

Opos confirmed to me on the phone that Spark blocked the erroneous transfer and that they have emails to that effect. I also have emails from the letting agent confirming that they asked Spark to stop the transfer and that I wouldn't be billed for the time it took to switch the property back to Scottish Power.

I have paid the bill, so Spark have their money. I know this was probably the wrong thing to do and I should 'fight' but I simply don't have the time, energy or constitution. I just want others to be aware of where this whole set up between Letting Agents and Spark can go wrong. And not to believe that everything is sorted...Spark will come after you, even years later!

Geo132

Hi Jenny,

I hope you can help me as you managed to help all these people above.

I've also received mail from OPOS telling me i'm due on £1,386 for a 2 month period (July-Aug 2017)!! One year ago! However, my tenancy to the address was from Oct 2015 until 2nd July 2017... The funny part is that tried to explain to them that i was not a customer of Spark Energy when i left the premise. In fact, when i moved in the house, the provider was indeed Spark Energy; but switched provider 1 month later and had the same provider (EDF) until the end of my contract. So, how can they claim money from me that i was not even staying in the premise nor they were my provider... Really, the incompetence of these people astonishes me.

Could you please help me with this? They've been sending emails, texts and calling me 3-4 times a day annoying me for a matter i know it's their mistake.
Looking forward to your reply

Im_A_Mouse_In_Need

Just to say, thanks to Jenny for sorting my issue above. Calls/texts all stopped within a few days of posting here.

PRB66

Hi

I am being contacted by Opos on a daily basis, despite the fact that I have told them that I am paying the outstanding balance through a payment plan with The Zinc Group. I spoke to a Spark person on the phone two weeks ago and they said that they can see the monthly payments I am making and that they would speak to Opos, but I am still getting calls, emails, texts and letters.

I have just sent letters to both Spark and Opos, but if you can help that would be appreciated.

Thanks

Melinda23

Hi Jenny!
I have a similar problem. Today I received a letter from Opos that I have an outstanding energy bill. I have moved in this apartment on the 15th of May. In June we got an energy bill ( one month bill ) and by that time we already have been with an other energy supplier that also confirmed that we are with them from then. Spark energy also knew we switched because they sent my husband an email that they are sorry to hear that we are leaving them . It is also strange that I am not paying any bills my husband's name is on every bill and I receive a letter about a payment.... Should I pay it or what should I do please help!
Thank you for the answer in advance!

Former Spark Representative

Hi PRB66

I am so sorry that I didn't notice your post earlier.

If you still need help with this can you please email the address given in my profile, confirming your full name and supply address along with any other information that might be helpful?

Kind regards

Jenny
Customer Relations Manager