Moral dilemma

Aylesbury_Duck

Ali60 said:

My question really was morally how many times should I report it before I can just leave it up to them to notice. 

As many or as few times as you like, it doesn't make any difference because once they work out what's going on, they will simply draw from your credit plus anything else the credit doesn't cover.  It's therefore entirely up to you how to handle it: either get it sorted now and get payments straight, or wait for them to notice and deal with whatever the bill looks like when that happens.

jimjames

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Ali60 said:

My question really was morally how many times should I report it before I can just leave it up to them to notice. 

As many or as few times as you like, it doesn't make any difference because once they work out what's going on, they will simply draw from your credit plus anything else the credit doesn't cover.  It's therefore entirely up to you how to handle it: either get it sorted now and get payments straight, or wait for them to notice and deal with whatever the bill looks like when that happens.

Although isn't there a 12 months limit on how far back they can bill if the household has informed them of the issues?

wittynamegoeshere

As long as you've got a record of attempting to tell them about it and them saying all is well then do not worry and consider yourself blessed.  Did you do something really good once?

If the meter isn't recording anything then the worst case is probably a year's worth of estimated billing.  Keep some money in the bank and enjoy your toasty warm house.

Gerry1

The OP may wish to reclaim their credit and keep it ring fenced in a savings account.

Octopus can raid the credit balance you had at the time that they should have billed you, even if you've since had it paid back to you, and all with the Ombudsman's blessing.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77175119/#Comment_77175119

wittynamegoeshere

Can someone elaborate please?  There seem to be lots of veiled comments being made about this poster who, as far as I can see, is someone new asking a perfectly sensible question.

Streaky_Bacon

Gerry1 said:

The OP may wish to reclaim their credit and keep it ring fenced in a savings account.

Octopus can raid the credit balance you had at the time that they should have billed you, even if you've since had it paid back to you, and all with the Ombudsman's blessing.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77175119/#Comment_77175119

Very important point from Gerry, and another good reason not to build up a significant credit balance with suppliers.

Although the rules are "backbilling" is actually billing or "charging action" (in other words taking money from the customer).

If they took the money, even if they didn't bill, they can then keep it to cover a catch up bill.

The OP has done far more than they had to, regarding backbilling, because they really didn't need to do anything.

There is no obligation on the customer to help the supplier, or to point out the supplier's mistake, they just cannot be obstructive or manifestly unreasonable.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/ofgem-bans-suppliers-backbilling-customers-beyond-12-months

Suppliers can still backbill customers past 12 months where the customer’s behaviour is obstructive, such as blocking physical access to a meter, or manifestly unreasonable, such as tampering with a meter or stealing energy. Consumers will not be at fault for failing to provide meter readings

MWT

There is no 'moral dilemma' here though, that is a set-up for a false debate, it really doesn't even qualify as 'moral relativism'

You should pay for what you consume and do what you need to do to make sure that happens if the supplier has misunderstood the problem.

Everything else is just a debate about 'can I get away without paying' or 'can I use this situation to my advantage'...

So let's not pretend that there is actually a 'dilemma' here to be agonised over

Ali60

I can’t pay for what I use as the energy company won’t tell or can’t tell me what I owe.  They have approx £500 of my money so I’m not withholding payment.  If you read the thread, my dilemma is how many times I should feel obliged to tell them I’m not being charged. Every month, every two months? The supplier has twice told me that they are receiving readings and everything is sorted.  I think I will have to raise a complaint. 

QrizB

Ali60 said:

I can’t pay for what I use as the energy company won’t tell or can’t tell me what I owe.  They have approx £500 of my money so I’m not withholding payment.  If you read the thread, my dilemma is how many times I should feel obliged to tell them I’m not being charged. Every month, every two months? The supplier has twice told me that they are receiving readings and everything is sorted.  I think I will have to raise a complaint. 

Have you emailed smart@octopus.energy with details? It might solve the problem quicker than registering a complaint.

jimjames

wittynamegoeshere said:

Can someone elaborate please?  There seem to be lots of veiled comments being made about this poster who, as far as I can see, is someone new asking a perfectly sensible question.

Not sure about "lots". I saw one comment from someone who seems to have a bit of pattern for it