Bulb Annual Price Increase

Philomena49

Bulb has notified me of a 33% increase in my monthly payments (dual fuel) to ensure I build up enough credit for next winter’s bills. There’s also an end of year small debit to clear. I queried this increase as I’m elderly, disabled, self-isolating & self-employed, so my regular income has been wiped out.  Also now summer is just about here I’ve turned off my central heating anyway so my summer bills are going to drop. I'm not trying to avoid paying for the energy I use but I’d much rather clear the outstanding debit & monitor the summer months from now on, and I don’t see why Bulb should sit on my money over the summer months, I’d rather keep it in my bank account.  I have queried their decision but they are adamant & have advised that if I wish to query things further, I must complete a financial assessment through a separate company called Tully who will need access to my online bank statements & will work out a personal budget for me & monitor my finances. I do not want or need this & feel very uneasy about sharing my confidential financial details with a company I’ve never heard of.  It feels intrusive & I have never experienced this approach before from any energy supplier I’ve used in the past when I’ve queried a bill.  The other alternative they offer is to speak to their "partners" CAB or StepChange who will grill me over the phone & then go back to Bulb to advise. This all smacks of Big Brother to me. Am I being paranoid or is this normal?

JJ_Egan

You have posted in the Oil and LPG section .

Suggest you move to another supplier .

Philomena49

Thanks. I thought I was on the Energy Forum. Which forum should I use?

JJ_Egan

The one below

Water

LPg Heating Oil as mort will see your post .

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/energy

Kitchen_Sink

Philomena49 said:

Bulb has notified me of a 33% increase in my monthly payments (dual fuel) to ensure I build up enough credit for next winter’s bills. There’s also an end of year small debit to clear. I queried this increase as I’m elderly, disabled, self-isolating & self-employed, so my regular income has been wiped out.  Also now summer is just about here I’ve turned off my central heating anyway so my summer bills are going to drop. I'm not trying to avoid paying for the energy I use but I’d much rather clear the outstanding debit & monitor the summer months from now on, and I don’t see why Bulb should sit on my money over the summer months, I’d rather keep it in my bank account.  I have queried their decision but they are adamant & have advised that if I wish to query things further, I must complete a financial assessment through a separate company called Tully who will need access to my online bank statements & will work out a personal budget for me & monitor my finances. I do not want or need this & feel very uneasy about sharing my confidential financial details with a company I’ve never heard of.  It feels intrusive & I have never experienced this approach before from any energy supplier I’ve used in the past when I’ve queried a bill.  The other alternative they offer is to speak to their "partners" CAB or StepChange who will grill me over the phone & then go back to Bulb to advise. This all smacks of Big Brother to me. Am I being paranoid or is this normal?

If you are concerned by the level of monthly payments requested, and /or think they are unfair, this MSE article should assist you and informs you what you can do.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/lower-energy-direct-debits/