Scottish Power - Over Collection of Data

Jakubk

I am having a bit of a nightmare seeking a new energy supplier, I usually start with MSE Energy Club but I could not get this to work.

I usually then go to Uswitch which shows companies that need to be signed up to directly (MSE should do this too).

So I entered my postcode and house number then was able to get a quote, but the deals offered required a smart meter, so I decided to head on over to Scottish Power just to see their Standard Tariff rates, this proved to be impossible.

After giving my postcode and house number I clicked on the pull down menu for payment methods but there was no "pay on receipt of bill" (either monthly or quarterly, so I could not proceed any further.

I just want to pay for what I use, after I have actually used it, the options it offered were Monthly Direct Debit, Quarterly Direct Debit or Pre-Payment meter.



I then called Scottish Power and it got even worse.

The operator took my postcode and house number which I understand because for some reason the energy companies have different rates for different areas.

She then asked my my name, date of birth and email address and would not proceed without them, after much resistence I gave her fake details.

Then she asked for permission to interrogate the usage of energy at my property, I declined this and offered her my annual energy usage, she then refused to go any further. She said it is for "compliance" I said "compliance" with what I just want the basic energy and standard charge rates. At first she said it was compliance with regulations which I challenged, then she said compliance with the Scottish Power system, I said "I REFUSE TO COMPLY".

So I asked to be put through to complaints, I simply wanted to tell them that I object to this forced collection of data, I pointed out that price comparison websites do not require my date of birth and that I just wanted their standard variable rates.

She would give me those units and would not proceed without taking my data, she failed to see the irony of her insisting on taking my data about Scottish Power insisting on taking my data.

HOW TO LOSE A SALE SCOTTISH POWER and wreck your reputation.

I will be reporting this data abuse to the ICO and OFGEM, big brother was always assumed to be the State but actually it seems to be large corporations and the companies they share it with.

Consent with a gun to your head is not consent.

manselton

You are lucky you escaped. I switched to them in June (after I allowed them to ring me) particularly because of the promise in that phone call that I would "always be on their cheapest tariff". This was Online Exclusive Fixed June 2020 Oh1 (ends 30 June 2020). I was delighted not to be needing to switch every year. Should not have trusted them in the first place.

Low and behold my very first bill informs me that I could be on a cheaper rate! Super Saver July 2020 B1Â . In a website chat the responder tells me that I am on the cheapest rate direct from Scottish Power and the cheaper one is only available through third party brokers.

If the phone call was not an outright lie it is at least extremely devious. Of course they expect me to pay £30 per fuel if I change to another supplier more than 30 days before the end of the contract. :mad: