So Energy/Smart Meters

Nic92

Hi I could really do with some advice. I suspect there isn’t much I can do but it just feels so wrong!
I moved into a new build in July 2020 and moved the gas and electric from Eon to So Energy (I’d been with them for a few years). They only have one tariff a year and my direct debit was £97. I submitted meter readings every couple of months. My online account showed no debt. 

July 2021 I was moved on to the new tariff and, as I had no complaints I stayed. New tariff was £60 but stupidly, although I thought it was low I didn’t question it. Online account showed no issues. 

Jan 2022 I received 5 different statements on the same day stating I owed between £900-1500!! I called them and they told me that it’s a smart meter issue. It had been “dormant” and had “woken up” generating all these bills despite the fact I had been submitting online meter reads! I was informed they had suspended my account/statements last year whilst they investigated the meter but were not obligated to tell me, this meant that when I renewed it was with inaccurate information even though I was not informed. 

They now what to up my monthly direct debit to over £300 and I have no idea where I stand. When the prices increase in April what will happen! 

I’m unsure of where I stand in this situation. Thanks 

MWT

You are going to need to look close at your actual bills, not just the DD payments and see where the problems began.

If they have failed to accurately bill you in the past and are now trying to bill you for consumption that is over 12 months ago then you can use the back-billing rules to avoid that, but if the consumption is all within the last 12 months then you will have to pay it.

I'd start there and see what you can find...

Nic92

Thanks - if I google back-billing will tat explain that to me as I have no idea about this rule!