EDF TOOK £5000

Emmab123_2

Hi

Please can someone help, my mother in law has just had £5000 taken from EDF. Even though she has had regular  metre readings since 2015 (until COVID-19) they are saying they undercharged for the whole period. Without notice the money has gone. Please can you advise us. 

Regards

Emma

Robin9

Can you post a copy of a recent bill please ? Blank out the personal info. 

Were these readings taken by EDF or your MIL. ?

Have you PofA for MIL ?  If not get a letter from her authorising you to speak on her behalf.

bradders1983

Just had £5k taken? In one go? How?  Because that doesnt sound right at all.

CRISPIANNE3

Emmab123_2 said:

Hi

Please can someone help, my mother in law has just had £5000 taken from EDF. Even though she has had regular  metre readings since 2015 (until COVID-19) they are saying they undercharged for the whole period. Without notice the money has gone. Please can you advise us. 

Regards

Emma

No way. I know we are now in the silly season but there has to be more to than you say or rather know.

tacpot12

Have a read of the Direct Debit Guarantee. Speak to EDF with your MiL. She can authorise you to discuss matters on her behalf. I would be careful not to agree with EDF on anything on her behalf. Get her to confirm her agreement direct to EDF.
She/you should ask to see their evidence that she has been under charged. If she/you accept that the evidence shows she owes the money and can afford to pay, it may be best to leave the . If she owes it but can't afford to be without the £5000, provide evidence of this hardship to EDF and ask for most of the money back and arrange that she pays them back over a period.  

Gerry1

Who took the meter readings?

bradders1983

Gerry1 said:

Who took the meter readings?

Nobody, this thread is an obvious wind up.

dogshome

I too suspect this is a Wind-up, but just in case:

There are many reasons why a customer can suddenly be advised of a large accumulated debt, but for this to be taken via the D/Debit system, the customer must be pre notified - Does your MIL regularly look at her online EDF online account, and her Spam Emails if EDF are not on her trusted Inbox list?

Even If there is pre notification along with a full and acceptable explanation as to what created this demand, if this straining your MIL's finances, have the Bank call the money back under the Direct Debit Guarantee scheme, then contact EDF to advise the money cannot be paid in one go, and that it must be collected in installments at a value and time scale she can afford - This is written into the rules that EDF must abide by.

macman

The lesson to be learned here is surely that MIL would be ill-advised to keep a balance of £5K plus in her current account...