Energy regulator set to crack down on suppliers setting excessive direct debits under new plans

wild666

Maybe suppliers are setting DD's for 12 months but calculating a predicted increase into the DD in April & October or even every 3 months. 
I used the cheapest fix for my supplier, Octopus, and the figures were over £177 out on what they said the DD would be. Using my annual usage on the cheapest fix using the present 12 months fixed rate figures would have me paying £857.47 compared to the yearly total the say is £1034.47. 

Even though I have smart meters only the electric seems to be read by Octopus and as I like to give readings at the end of the month I get the gas bill monthly but the electric is read on the 26th so I put in another reading on the 1st of the month and Octopus take it as the previous days readings. 

[Deleted User]

Alnat1 said:

It's often elderly people who can't easily access their meters, hidden away in cupboards or placed really high or low. A clear warning on a bill, large print, saying it is based on estimated readings and may not accurately reflect usage could help. 

My Dad for instance won't have smart meters, says they're a security risk and anyone might be able to read them, not quite sure why that's a problem. Tbh he said something similar about contactless payments until covid came along and I said the keypads might be full of germs. I tried saying he was happy to have a "smart" meter for his water and what was the difference but he isn't having it.

Ofgem offers a solution for the elderly - The Priority Services Register.

• Advance notice of planned power cuts. If you rely on your energy supply for medical reasons your network operator can tell you about planned power cuts. For example, when they plan engineering work.
• Priority support in an emergency. Network operators could provide heating and cooking facilities if you are cut off supply.
• Identification and password scheme. This could include arranging a password or agreed on picture cards if callers need to visit or contact you. This way you can feel confident they are genuine. 
• Nominee scheme. You can nominate someone to receive communications and bills from your supplier. For example, a family member, carer or someone you trust.
• Help with prepayment meter access. For example, moving a meter if you can’t safely get to it to top up.
• Regular meter reading services. For example, if nobody can read your meter.
• Accessible information. For example, account info and bills in large print or braille.

My wife and I are on the PSR even though we are both senior citizens and we have smart meters. Most of the complaints on this forum about estimated bills and high DD payments have little to do with the elderly: many people just cannot be bothered to read their meters. Bringing back meter readers isn’t the answer when help is already available to those not too proud to make use of it.

Chrysalis

Best headline would have to quote them

Ofgem accused some firms of using customers' accumulated credit like an "interest-free company credit card".

To those saying it wasnt happening, what now?

Effician

I'm now with Ovo having been sold out by SSE & it's been a pain in the a**e , god only knows where they get their figures from to base the electricity DD on.

Whilst with SSE & before the Oct 21 price rises we used approx 2400kWh /yr, from Oct 21 we started to reign in the usage & are now averaging under 4kWh/day from 1st Oct 21, even better though we're now averaging under 3kWh/day since having the smart meter fitted on 25th Jan 22.

Ovo have completely disregarded all the recent usage since taking over in late March 22, their initial projected usage was 3850kWh/yr (10.5kWh/day) & now 3 months later with lots more usage data they still project 3085kWh/yr (8.4kWh/day) & keep trying to up the DD to £83/month

Needless to say i'm having a few issues with them & constantly on at them to leave my direct debit at around the £50 mark even though we're only using £35/month.

If Ofgem can put a stop to this sort of DD abuse i'm all in favour.

QrizB

Chrysalis said:

To those saying it wasnt happening, what now?

It definitely was happening; I remember threads on this forum last year where some now-failed companies were increasing customers DDs beyond any reasonable level and their CS were refusing to reduce them.

Gerry1

Dolor said:

Alnat1 said:

It's often elderly people who can't easily access their meters, hidden away in cupboards or placed really high or low. A clear warning on a bill, large print, saying it is based on estimated readings and may not accurately reflect usage could help. 

My Dad for instance won't have smart meters, says they're a security risk and anyone might be able to read them, not quite sure why that's a problem. Tbh he said something similar about contactless payments until covid came along and I said the keypads might be full of germs. I tried saying he was happy to have a "smart" meter for his water and what was the difference but he isn't having it.

Ofgem offers a solution for the elderly - The Priority Services Register.

Yeah, right.

Over TWO HOURS queueing time to reach an agent on the British Gas priority number this morning, the agent says the account details are loading, the call drops out and the agent doesn't bother to call back.

And that's supposed to be 'Priority'?

Neither British Gas nor Ofgem are fit for purpose.

Vegastare

That saying doing something after the horse has bolted.....this action should have been taken years back.....I would think many of us would relish having a large credit amount with our supplier with the winter rises looming.

Earlier this month the business secretary urgently said he was looking into fuel duty cuts not being passed on.....um that happened in March .......better late than never!!!  Bless em they do try.