Spark Energy Direct Debit Issue

Leon2194

Hi,

I would just like to start by stating that I have made this account just to seek advice on a direct debit situation I now find myself in with Spark Energy. I would really appreciate some advice.

First off, I moved into a 1 bedroom flat on the 14 December 2018 with a years lease. I signed up with spark so that I could use the estimated service which they advertised in which all I had to do was "sit back and relax".

For the first few months I was happily paying £68 for both gas and electricity. This I understood was more than what was being used at the property as I'm never really there, but decided to pay the difference just so that I didn't have to constantly read the meter. However, the first incidence of a a change to my direct debit came in April. I was told over the phone that because I had not supplied readings, my direct debit would change to around £100 a month. The estimate they were using for this £100 were apparently from the previous occupants. I immediately provided reading to discover that I was only using around £45 a month. I didn't really care about the difference and continued to pay £65 henceforth.

Recently I have just had a direct debit of £198 taken from my account (September) without any consent and have been in contact on multiple occasions for a reasonable explanation to no avail. I have been told that £198 has been taken as I have not provided reading and that it was from an estimate. Although when I logged into the site It mentioned that my payment for that month would be £53 pound. I was also away on holiday for 2 weeks during this month if that has any significance.

Apparently I have accrued a £650 pound bill ontop of the £65 I have been paying each month due to these estimates. I'm yet to receive a satisfactory response as to why this is the case. I was assured over the phone and from the online site that I was using much less than what I was even paying. I hope the phone calls that are supposedly recorded are reviewed on their part to confirm that they have told me this.

I'm about to phone them back for the fourth time but already loosing my patience and wasting my time in work talking to a brick wall. The last direct debit taken from my account without consent would cover how much I agreed on paying to the end of my lease. Should I just cancel the direct debits with Spark?

I can't really envision how in a one bedroom flat that I occupy about 3 days a week would use this much electricity. I have even had the boiler switched off since April.

Would appreciate some advice on this matter!

Thanks,
Leon

Gerry1

You MUST provide monthly readings: it's not an All You Can Eat tariff !

Don't even think of cancelling a direct debit.

You need FACTS, not emotions. Above all, learn and understand how direct debits work !

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/lower-energy-direct-debits/

Go and read the meters NOW, and then keep monthly records. Find your actual opening meter reading (not an estimate) and do the sums about what you've used to date and compare it with what you've paid.

Sorry if that's a bit blunt, but that's the reality you have to face...

Robin9

Going back to Dec 2018 what meter readings (I presume Gas and electric) did you give Spark ? What are they now ?

Give us the tariff details p/unit an standing charge and we can number crunch for you.


Can you please post your last bill - use something like imgur and make an obvious error in the link.. Blank out the personal info

Centage

Leon2194 wrote: »

Hi,

I would just like to start by stating that I have made this account just to seek advice on a direct debit situation I now find myself in with Spark Energy. I would really appreciate some advice.

First off, I moved into a 1 bedroom flat on the 14 December 2018 with a years lease. I signed up with spark so that I could use the estimated service which they advertised in which all I had to do was "sit back and relax".

For the first few months I was happily paying £68 for both gas and electricity. This I understood was more than what was being used at the property as I'm never really there, but decided to pay the difference just so that I didn't have to constantly read the meter. However, the first incidence of a a change to my direct debit came in April. I was told over the phone that because I had not supplied readings, my direct debit would change to around £100 a month. The estimate they were using for this £100 were apparently from the previous occupants. I immediately provided reading to discover that I was only using around £45 a month. I didn't really care about the difference and continued to pay £65 henceforth.

Recently I have just had a direct debit of £198 taken from my account (September) without any consent and have been in contact on multiple occasions for a reasonable explanation to no avail. I have been told that £198 has been taken as I have not provided reading and that it was from an estimate. Although when I logged into the site It mentioned that my payment for that month would be £53 pound. I was also away on holiday for 2 weeks during this month if that has any significance.

Apparently I have accrued a £650 pound bill ontop of the £65 I have been paying each month due to these estimates. I'm yet to receive a satisfactory response as to why this is the case. I was assured over the phone and from the online site that I was using much less than what I was even paying. I hope the phone calls that are supposedly recorded are reviewed on their part to confirm that they have told me this.

I'm about to phone them back for the fourth time but already loosing my patience and wasting my time in work talking to a brick wall. The last direct debit taken from my account without consent would cover how much I agreed on paying to the end of my lease. Should I just cancel the direct debits with Spark?

I can't really envision how in a one bedroom flat that I occupy about 3 days a week would use this much electricity. I have even had the boiler switched off since April.

Would appreciate some advice on this matter!

Thanks,
Leon

You might want to double check that assertion

Centage

Leon2194 wrote: »

Hi,

I would just like to start by stating that I have made this account just to seek advice on a direct debit situation I now find myself in with Spark Energy. I would really appreciate some advice.

First off, I moved into a 1 bedroom flat on the 14 December 2018 with a years lease. I signed up with spark so that I could use the estimated service which they advertised in which all I had to do was "sit back and relax".

For the first few months I was happily paying £68 for both gas and electricity. This I understood was more than what was being used at the property as I'm never really there, but decided to pay the difference just so that I didn't have to constantly read the meter. However, the first incidence of a a change to my direct debit came in April. I was told over the phone that because I had not supplied readings, my direct debit would change to around £100 a month. The estimate they were using for this £100 were apparently from the previous occupants. I immediately provided reading to discover that I was only using around £45 a month. I didn't really care about the difference and continued to pay £65 henceforth.

Recently I have just had a direct debit of £198 taken from my account (September) without any consent and have been in contact on multiple occasions for a reasonable explanation to no avail. I have been told that £198 has been taken as I have not provided reading and that it was from an estimate. Although when I logged into the site It mentioned that my payment for that month would be £53 pound. I was also away on holiday for 2 weeks during this month if that has any significance.

Apparently I have accrued a £650 pound bill ontop of the £65 I have been paying each month due to these estimates. I'm yet to receive a satisfactory response as to why this is the case. I was assured over the phone and from the online site that I was using much less than what I was even paying. I hope the phone calls that are supposedly recorded are reviewed on their part to confirm that they have told me this.

I'm about to phone them back for the fourth time but already loosing my patience and wasting my time in work talking to a brick wall. The last direct debit taken from my account without consent would cover how much I agreed on paying to the end of my lease. Should I just cancel the direct debits with Spark?

I can't really envision how in a one bedroom flat that I occupy about 3 days a week would use this much electricity. I have even had the boiler switched off since April.

Would appreciate some advice on this matter!

Thanks,
Leon

You'd think these suppliers would have come up with some sort of measurement method, wouldn't you?

Perhaps a meter or summut?

Gerry1

Leon2194 wrote: »

I was told over the phone that because I had not supplied readings, my direct debit would change to around £100 a month.

Leon2194 wrote: »

but decided to pay the difference just so that I didn't have to constantly read the meter.

Leon2194 wrote: »

I have been told that £198 has been taken as I have not provided reading and that it was from an estimate.

Well, that's the answer, isn't it? You admit that you've only provided one reading and it was way back in April !

If you don't like their estimate, why not send them a meter reading NOW so that they can send you an accurate bill? It's not difficult unless you have a disability in which case you should be on their Priority Services Register and they'll send someone round.

Leon2194 wrote: »

The last direct debit taken from my account without consent would cover how much I agreed on paying to the end of my lease.

No, you consented to pay for the amount of metered energy that you used. Use more - pay more.

Robin9

Leon - Spark are having to guess what your consumption is. Read your meters and give the readings to Spark !

Talldave

Very few energy companies require you to constantly read the meter as it causes major problems for those people who need to go out to work. Even retired customers with plenty of time on their hands for constant meter reading have been caught dozing off, whilst stay at home mums struggled to juggle the constant meter reading with feeding times.

As a result there's been a significant increase in the popularity of tariffs that allow for a more flexible lifestyle, with just a single meter reading required each month ;-).

Former Spark Representative

Hi Leon2194

Sorry to hear you're having some concerns with your Direct Debit amount and your bill balance.

There's some great advice here already, and I'd suggest dropping me an email to the address given in my profile with the following information:

1. Your full name and supply address with postcode.

2. Up to date meter readings.

3. Confirmation of the best phone number to call you on.

I'm happy to help if I hear from you.

Kind regards

Jenny
Customer Relations Team