Unauthorised utility switch

Peep1973

Hi everyone,
I have a problem I hope you can help me with?
Both my gas and electricity were switched from utilita to scottish power without my consent. I contacted scottish power and was informed that I had been miss-sold although I didn't get asked or consented to switching my energy supplier. She went on to say that my supply would be moved back to utilita but it would take 3-4weeks.
This has wider ramifications for me because I now can't apply for the warm home discount as the cut of date will expire before I am moved back to utilita.
I have MS ad I am dissabled so this is having a big impact on me.
I would be grateful for any advice on this.
Kind regards

Paul

Kitchen_Sink

Peep1973 wrote: »

Hi everyone,
I have a problem I hope you can help me with?
Both my gas and electricity were switched from utilita to scottish power without my consent. I contacted scottish power and was informed that I had been miss-sold although I didn't get asked or consented to switching my energy supplier. She went on to say that my supply would be moved back to utilita but it would take 3-4weeks.
This has wider ramifications for me because I now can't apply for the warm home discount as the cut of date will expire before I am moved back to utilita.
I have MS ad I am dissabled so this is having a big impact on me.
I would be grateful for any advice on this.
Kind regards

Paul

You will be put back and placed in the same position you would have been in had no switch ever occurred.

You will continue to pay Utilita (although they may have stopped collection whilst this is being sorted, so if that has occurred, stash the money in a nice savings account until they ask for it)

If you need to apply for the WHD, then apply ... to Utilita. They should be aware, but to ensure no issues, explain that the supply is being returned to them under the 'Erroneous Transfer Customer Charter'

PennineAcute

Surely it is Utilita's responsibility to do the Erroneous Transfer?

D_M_E

Get back on to Utilita and tell them you want to invoke the erroneous transfer proceeduures and that you want them to take the supply back as you did not ask for the switch to be made.

Forget about SP, they are useless in in these situations - I write from experience - they are the ones who took the supply wrongly and Utilita are the ones who have to call it back, it's not for SP to send it back and they will not do so of their own accord.

Do not pay a penny to SP, save your money in a separate account ready to give to Utilita when it's all sorted.

As for the WHD, apply to Utilita as that's who the supply is with.

If you miss out on WHD then raise a complaint with both Utilita and SP and, if nothing comes of it, try taking SP to the small claims to get the WHD that way.

Kitchen_Sink

PennineAcute wrote: »

Surely it is Utilita's responsibility to do the Erroneous Transfer?

It requires both suppliers to be involved in reverting the supply back to Utilita, but the mechanics of the process are not relevent.

The customer can complain to either supplier involved.

Personally, I would have complained to the former/losing supplier as not only are they the supplier I engaged, but also will be the supplier who will lose out if the supply is not reverted to them.

But in this case the OP has opted to complain to the new supplier, which is not a problem.
(if it turns out it is, you should follow the suppliers complaint procedure to obtain the resolution desired)

mac.d

See the Citizen's Advice info on this, as Kitchen Sink has posted, it states you can contact either. They should then write to you within a set timeframe to let you know what is going to happen. If they don't reply or take too long, you should complain as they have a charter to follow for these erroneous transfers.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/problems-with-your-energy-supply/youve-been-switched-to-a-new-energy-supplier-without-your-agreement/