Erroneous Transfer Headache

republicofheaven

Hello,
A tenant that is soon to move into the flat downstairs from ours has accidentally provided our gas meter number when opening an account with his energy provider (Spark Energy) which has resulted in an erroneous transfer. Our energy provider, Scottish Power, are able to do very little from their side, except put in an objection, which Spark could very well ignore.
I have contacted Spark twice now and have had no joy. The first guy I spoke to had no idea what an ET was, but said he’d take my details and get back to me (never did), the second guy tried to rush me off the phone and didn’t seem to care. I had to force him to take my meter numbers - he said he would cancel the transfer but has not.
I’ve written an email of complaint to Spark but am not hopeful of a positive outcome. I feel like I’ve exhausted all avenues of action I could take at this point.
What are my options/rights to get a cancellation forced through?
Thanks in advance for any help/advice provided!

harrys66

Personally I wouldn't bother expecting any of them to resolve it, just extra stress, I would just find the best deal now and initiate a transfer to your best value chosen provider

when that happens spark will have the wrong name on the account, so the new provider and spark will have to resolve between them

then put a sticker over your meter serial number with your flat number

Gerry1

Presumably Spark won't have the OP's bank details, so the OP's bills will be paid by the new tenant?  Wait and see seems the best policy !

harrys66

Gerry1 said:

Presumably Spark won't have the OP's bank details, so the OP's bills will be paid by the new tenant?  Wait and see seems the best policy !

Haha ... could get nasty few weeks from now if the other tenant is bit of a nutter ... personally I prefer the simple life

Gerry1

The new tenant caused the problem, so if they find themselves paying for the OP's energy they will have an incentive to rectify their mistake.

Especially if the flat's previous supplier cuts off the new tenant's supply because they haven't been paid...

Lizd82

Do you know if your supply has already moved over to Spark Energy? If so it's too late for Scottish Power to object but they would then be able to re-register the supply (as long as Spark don't object).

Pete99

If they don't sort this out within 21 days according to Ofgem you will or should be getting £30 from both suppliers.

copied from Ofgem website:-

Erroneous switch

Suppliers fail to agree if a switch is valid or erroneous within 20 working days of you notifying either supplier

£60 (£30 from each supplier)

DawnCrush

republicofheaven said:

Hello,
A tenant that is soon to move into the flat downstairs from ours has accidentally provided our gas meter number when opening an account with his energy provider (Spark Energy) which has resulted in an erroneous transfer. Our energy provider, Scottish Power, are able to do very little from their side, except put in an objection, which Spark could very well ignore.
I have contacted Spark twice now and have had no joy. The first guy I spoke to had no idea what an ET was, but said he’d take my details and get back to me (never did), the second guy tried to rush me off the phone and didn’t seem to care. I had to force him to take my meter numbers - he said he would cancel the transfer but has not.
I’ve written an email of complaint to Spark but am not hopeful of a positive outcome. I feel like I’ve exhausted all avenues of action I could take at this point.
What are my options/rights to get a cancellation forced through?
Thanks in advance for any help/advice provided!

Why do you think Scottish Power are able to to very little from their side?

Why are you not hopeful, even at this eraly stage, of a positive outcome to your complaint against Spark?

Whilst you are certainly able to complain to either supplier, it would always be my recommendation that you contact the losing supplier i..e your supplier of choice, in any ET.
Not only will you be dealing with your supplier of choice, but the otherwise losing supplier would have the most to lose by not correcting the ET soonest.

 

dogshome

The rule is that customers who have been subjected to an ET, should be moved back to their original supplier and suffer no financial loss

You have done exactly the right thing by sending a written Complaint to Spark, unfortunately Spark are known for being a bear trap when it comes to losing a customer, and Scot Power are not the sharpest knife in the box when dealing with problems, so hang onto all the correspondance and be prepared for a bumpy ride, but you'll get there in the end