We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Help needed on Erroneous transfer of electricity supplier.

Options
245

Comments

  • Hmm. I'd be inclined to look at initially going with Octopus once you get to the bottom of what's going on as they are cheaper BUT only after this is resolved. Also look at other suppliers and get the best deal.

    It would be worth checking out what the Network Operator's site says for who the supplier is for your address and that the meter details/serial number are showing correctly. Go to https://www.energynetworks.org/operating-the-networks/whos-my-network-operator to find out who the operator is.  No need to ring them, most have a webpage and with some (all?) you can them request the details be sent in an email to you.

    As for SSE saying that the Back Billing doesn't apply, I don't know how they justify that , sounds like Bull to me. See  https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-back-billing-guide-your-rights
    The same would apply to Octopus if you subsequently accept them as your supplier.

    SSE are probably the innocent parity in this erroneous transfer, but I'd still steer clear of them atm until this is resolved.
    Have you got back to Octopus to tell them to stop the letters and investigate or else?

    Edit: You might also like to tell Octopus that they can check the Electoral Role to see that Mr.X has nothing to do with your address.


    Good tip on the electoral role.  Octopus are definitely supplying my property.  Octopus have also confirmed that the meter they are supplying matches with mine, I sent them a photo of the meter.  Nevertheless, will double check through the links you've sent.

    Was on hold with SSE for over an hour so will speak to Octopus tomorrow, email them and make sure i'm clear about the letters they are sending and to resolve the matter.   Thanks!
  • MWT
    MWT Posts: 10,214 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    As for SSE saying that the Back Billing doesn't apply, I don't know how they justify that , sounds like Bull to me. See  https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-back-billing-guide-your-rights
    The same would apply to Octopus if you subsequently accept them as your supplier.
    The protocol for a reversal of an erroneous transfer is that the 'wrong' supplier refunds all payments to the customer and the original supplier bills the customer for all usage, 'back billing' isn't a factor in that process as the original supplier has not failed to bill correctly but is billing at the first opportunity to do so.
    If you want to make use of the back-billing rules I'd say that is only possible by accepting Octopus as the supplier and then pointing out that they have failed to bill the OP at any point to date.
    Of course Octopus would probably be very happy to have the erroneous transfer reversed... :)
  • MWT said:
    As for SSE saying that the Back Billing doesn't apply, I don't know how they justify that , sounds like Bull to me. See  https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-back-billing-guide-your-rights
    The same would apply to Octopus if you subsequently accept them as your supplier.
    The protocol for a reversal of an erroneous transfer is that the 'wrong' supplier refunds all payments to the customer and the original supplier bills the customer for all usage, 'back billing' isn't a factor in that process as the original supplier has not failed to bill correctly but is billing at the first opportunity to do so.
    If you want to make use of the back-billing rules I'd say that is only possible by accepting Octopus as the supplier and then pointing out that they have failed to bill the OP at any point to date.
    Of course Octopus would probably be very happy to have the erroneous transfer reversed... :)
    MWT said:
    As for SSE saying that the Back Billing doesn't apply, I don't know how they justify that , sounds like Bull to me. See  https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-back-billing-guide-your-rights
    The same would apply to Octopus if you subsequently accept them as your supplier.
    The protocol for a reversal of an erroneous transfer is that the 'wrong' supplier refunds all payments to the customer and the original supplier bills the customer for all usage, 'back billing' isn't a factor in that process as the original supplier has not failed to bill correctly but is billing at the first opportunity to do so.
    If you want to make use of the back-billing rules I'd say that is only possible by accepting Octopus as the supplier and then pointing out that they have failed to bill the OP at any point to date.
    Of course Octopus would probably be very happy to have the erroneous transfer reversed... :)
    That's good to know, thanks.  What is OP?
  • MWT said:
    As for SSE saying that the Back Billing doesn't apply, I don't know how they justify that , sounds like Bull to me. See  https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-back-billing-guide-your-rights
    The same would apply to Octopus if you subsequently accept them as your supplier.
    The protocol for a reversal of an erroneous transfer is that the 'wrong' supplier refunds all payments to the customer and the original supplier bills the customer for all usage, 'back billing' isn't a factor in that process as the original supplier has not failed to bill correctly but is billing at the first opportunity to do so.
    If you want to make use of the back-billing rules I'd say that is only possible by accepting Octopus as the supplier and then pointing out that they have failed to bill the OP at any point to date.
    Of course Octopus would probably be very happy to have the erroneous transfer reversed... :)
    If I opt for a new supplier altogether, how would a transfer work being that my property and Mr X are mixed up? And do you know where that would leave Octopus with the amount outstanding?  Right now I (being me the person) am in contract with no supplier but we know Octopus are supplying my property.
  • You cannot play the Erroneous Transfer rules to your personal advantage as suppliers are required by Ofgem to put the consumer back into the position that he/she was in had the erroneous transfer not taken place.
  • Dolor said:
    You cannot play the Erroneous Transfer rules to your personal advantage as suppliers are required by Ofgem to put the consumer back into the position that he/she was in had the erroneous transfer not taken place.
    Thanks for your point.  Considering the following, what do you suggest.
    Octopus are saying they can't send me back to SSE because it's over one year.   SSE say they can transfer me back but only if I am willing to pay the last 18 months of usage which hasn't been paid for.  SSE are not taking control of the matter to rectify the error.  So where does that leave me?  And as mentioned before, where does that leave Octopus and the outstanding amount due by Mr X, against my property?  
  • Swipe
    Swipe Posts: 5,612 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I'd go with Octopus and ask them to change the name of Mr X on the bill to yours and pay the outstanding £555 if that works out the cheapest option for you. Have you given octopus a recent reading and is the £555 bill based on that? Why over complicate things with a reversal?
  • Swipe said:
    I'd go with Octopus and ask them to change the name of Mr X on the bill to yours and pay the outstanding £555 if that works out the cheapest option for you. Have you given octopus a recent reading and is the £555 bill based on that? Why over complicate things with a reversal?
    Thanks.  Don't have a recent reading with them, they've been reluctant to tell me much as I'm not Mr X.  Will need to speak to them.  But yes, why over complicate matters is a very good point.
  • Swipe
    Swipe Posts: 5,612 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Swipe said:
    I'd go with Octopus and ask them to change the name of Mr X on the bill to yours and pay the outstanding £555 if that works out the cheapest option for you. Have you given octopus a recent reading and is the £555 bill based on that? Why over complicate things with a reversal?
    Thanks.  Don't have a recent reading with them, they've been reluctant to tell me much as I'm not Mr X.  Will need to speak to them.  But yes, why over complicate matters is a very good point.
    What is the meter reading on the Mr X bill and is it close to your actual one?

  • sandeepamar
    sandeepamar Posts: 39 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 18 January 2021 at 8:19PM
    Swipe said:
    Swipe said:
    I'd go with Octopus and ask them to change the name of Mr X on the bill to yours and pay the outstanding £555 if that works out the cheapest option for you. Have you given octopus a recent reading and is the £555 bill based on that? Why over complicate things with a reversal?
    Thanks.  Don't have a recent reading with them, they've been reluctant to tell me much as I'm not Mr X.  Will need to speak to them.  But yes, why over complicate matters is a very good point.
    What is the meter reading on the Mr X bill and is it close to your actual one?

    For Mr X, they simply identified the outstanding amount £ in a letter (no bill/statement), no meter readings, no dates, no history, no sense!  They haven't offered me any further information as the contact isn't in my name and privacy laws, etc.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.