One-click energy switching

rikthered

Have just read about British Gas using one-click switching to a new tariff via email and believe the regulator must stop this immediately.

My experience of this is with ScottishPower, who also used this approach. I believe the consumer's expectation is that clicking on the email will take you to the energy provider's website, where you will be presented with more information before making your choice. When I clicked on the button in the email, I was immediately taken to a completely white page with one line of text on the top line in small print thanking me for choosing the new tariff. I immediately phoned SP but was told by a helpful lady that she was very sorry that there was nothing she could do to stop the switch as the system did not show the change on my account.

Now, in my case, in June 2021, the tariff I did select was the right one for me so I did not follow up. In fact I still have a bigger issue with SP as they only set-up my electricity account in October 2020 when Tonik Energy filed for bankruptcy and 14 months later I am still waiting for my gas account to be transferred to them and it is an ongoing case under SP's complaints procedure.

There is one other issue related to switching tariffs that I believe the regulator must deal with.

SP had sent an email weeks before the tariff switch telling me that my existing tariff would "no longer be available from the 1st July 2021". The one-click switching 'scam' took place before the end of June but later bills show that I was placed on the new tariff the day I clicked on the email, not on the 1st July as implied by the earlier message. This is also an issue I will take up with SP but surely consumers should stay on their existing 'cheaper' tariff until the date that the new 'more expensive' tariff comes into play.

JJ_Egan

Where do i sign up to this campaign you have started .

rikthered

Sorry I haven't started a campaign, it was more to see if others had similar experiences and felt that this approach by energy companies is wrong.

I may have posted on the wrong board but Campaigns Corner says it is a place to voice any problems you face as a consumer.