Looks like we lose £212 to EDF. What do you think?

ckes101

Hello friends and thanks for taking the time to look at my post. I think i will have to swallow a £212 lose to EDF but thought i would just post here to check. I have been paying my elderly uncles gas and elec via direct debit from my bank account(EDF new this and i could talk on my uncles behalf when i rang them although no official power of attorney exists) My uncle has recently gone into a care home with dementia so i cancelled the direct debit to EDF. My uncle was £212 in credit which EDF have refunded by cheque. The cheque is made out to my uncle who has never had a bank account. EDF say they are unable to refund to my bank account as i cancelled the direct debit. So i have a cheque for my uncle for £212 but cant cash it as he has no bank account. I would imagine the cost of getting a power of attorney will cost more than the £212. Has anyone got any ideas or should i just accept it was my mistake for cancelling the direct debit in the first place and take it on the chin or in this case my pocket.

LadyDee

How about reinstating the DD. Go into a branch of your bank and speak to somebody face to face rather than try to get the message across to a call centre.

thorganby

Raise an official complaint here https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/help-support/making-complaint

If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you can then take it to the ombudsman.

mustbemad

Why not help your uncle to open an account in his name so the cheque can be cashed? You can help him apply online, if he is not elegible for a full current account, there is always the option of a basic account.

Mbm x

Farway

mustbemad wrote: »

Why not help your uncle to open an account in his name so the cheque can be cashed? You can help him apply online, if he is not elegible for a full current account, there is always the option of a basic account.

Mbm x

the uncles dementia could be a problem opening an account

There was a way of counter signing cheques to pay another party, not sure if that can still be done with all the rules these days, maybe worth inquiring?

Robin9

I don't think getting your uncle to open a bank account is practical - the bank will probably ask him to visit a branch.

Get your bank to reopen the DD.

In the longer term how does your uncle pay his other bills ? Does he get his pension in cash?

jcontest

The DD does not need to be active for them to pay into it, it only needs to be active for them to withdraw from the account.


I can not see why they would be unwilling to do this, assuming you cancelled the supply and informed them of the service ending.


I too would raise a complaint stating simply that you want the refund returned to the account, it may be more complicated than they are able to see or explain. I would have thought that if they know the account is not in his name that they wouldn't be able to refund to it without something from him stating that.

Paenymion

Have you thought about those places that cash cheques? They will take a cut of the total amount, but better than losing the whole lot. Of course, you'd have to get your uncle to come with you to the place with some ID.


You can google for "cheque cashing shops" for some sample places.

twhitehousescat

a basic account can be opened with the likes of coop or lloyds online with no visit to branch

[Deleted User]

You will need power of attorney for any future dealings which are needed . It is £82 in England , reduced to £41 if the total income is less than £12000 a year. You could then open a bank account for the cheque and then use it for any other necessities which will crop up in future.
The only reason why a power of attorney is nt used possibly is objections from the family. When I was given that power to do all the work for a complete non relative who was mentally unfit was the backing of the family who could nt be bothered to do it themselves

twhitehousescat

how is he getting his pension paid , how does he pay for care home ?