British Gas hiking Direct Debits and how to challenge the increase

PompeyReece

Hi,
I'm with British Gas and have recently changed to a new, cheaper tariff however they are now saying my Direct Debits must increase by 30% although usage hasn't changed dramatically.
I'm slightly narked at having to pay more for a cheaper tariff yet the British Gas website says to only contact them in an emergency which this situation doesn't quality as. As such I've no way of speaking to them to challenge the increase.
I'm tempted to cancel the DD but that might affect my credit rating. Any suggestions on the best way to proceed?
Thanks in advance!

Petriix

Switch to a better supplier? Failing that, maybe see if they've got a live chat option on their website or just send them an email. Your direct debit should be *exactly* 1/12 of the total of your estimated annual usage (including standing charges, discounts etc) plus/minus any outstanding debt/credit on your account. At this time of year you should be close to a £0 balance so, if you've built up any credit, you should ask for this to be refunded now.

Kitchen_Sink

PompeyReece said:

British Gas hiking Direct Debits and how to challenge the increase

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

RelievedSheff

We have had the same with them recently. We are still in credit from the winter period by about £50 taking into account our usage over the last month since our last bill, our next payment of £50 was due on 1st May, however they have decided that they are going to increase our direct debit to £95 for May which is going to be well over the top. We expect our usage for May to be around £35.

We are just going to leave the direct debit as it is and leave the extra in the account to go towards next winters credit balance. I'm sure BG will change our direct debit to a more sensible figure at our next direct debit review which is due on the 22nd May.

JonnyMK

I think this is just their system estimating future usage incorrectly, possibly based on few recent meter reads which show a sudden increase which is likely to not continue. Regardless of your direct debit, you'll only pay for what you actually use as per the tariff you're on, they're not allowed to suddenly change the tariff if you're in contract (without giving you the option to leave penalty free). Worse case if your account ends up in credit, there is a new ofgen rule about them paying this back to you and in certain time frame, worth looking into that.

Smart meters should solve this problem as they should "phone home" every day and provide very accurate meter reads; but they seem to be a shambles, my British gas one doesn't even work with British gas anymore.

RelievedSheff

We have BG smart meters which are both working and sending BG readings every day. Despite this their system still has got our predicted usage hopelessly wrong!

ciderboy2009

BG's predicted usage system has always been hopeless!

I've not been with them for a few years now but you used to be able to play with the direct debit amount online or on their app.  Whenever they tried to increase my DD I was always able to revert the increase that way.