Ridiculous Energy Usage Bill

JordonBarwick

I recently changed over to a pre-payment metre as I was advised it would be cheaper than my fixed tariff. Two weeks later, I received a bill claiming I owe my provider (SSE Enegry) £4000. After speaking to them they have claimed that this is due to undercharging us and covers the period from February 2022- June 2022. So according to their readings I have used £4000 in four months. They have told me to track my usage over the next three months and compare it to their readings but that the £4000 debt still remains. This doesn’t seem fair and wondered what help I can get to resolve this.

GingerTim

Do you have your actual meter readings for that period in kwh to hand, as well as the prepayment tariff you are on?

Farway

Did, or have you got the meter readings prior to your pre pay meter?

Did you take any ever so there is a starting point to work from?

MWT

Check your previous bills before the prepay meter was installed and find the last time you had a bill based on an actual meter reading instead of an estimate and then work forward from there...

It is entirely possible that you've been underpaying for quite some time if the most recent actual meter reading was al ong time ago...

markin

You didn't have to change to a pre-payment metre to dump a fixed tariff, who told you that SSE?

pochase

The energy use most likely will not be for February to June. It sounds more like the last bill was in February, and had estimated meter reads.

When they did the meter read when you changed to prepaid they will have found that you used a lot more energy than they estimated.

Did you ever submit meter readings, or do you have a smart meter? Do your bills show an E for estimated after the meter readings used?

MattMattMattUK

markin said:

You didn't have to change to a pre-payment metre to dump a fixed tariff, who told you that SSE?

Unfortunately there seem to be a lot of people at the moment who think that prepayment meters are cheaper. This seems to be because they are paying, as an example £150 pcm on Direct Debit, but their friend on pre-payment is only paying £90pcm, ignoring that it is currently summer and whilst those on Direct Debit will be building up a credit, those on pre-payment will not be. There will be a lot of people who come winter, when they are required to pay £500pcm on pre-payment, have to face up to the consequences of their actions. 

Robin9

@JordanBarwick   Was the meter physically changed when you swopped ?   On the meter there will be a sticker with the old meter readings . What are they and what are the old and new meter serial numbers.

Previous to changing to prepay is that you had been billed on Estimated readings - look back on your old bills

On possibility is that their records haven't caught up with the meter change.; another is the the meter fixer has made an error