Direct Debit increase x 25 times illegally

Pammyj

I have had my small business account direct debit for electric from Scottish Power increased from £69 per month to £1754.10 from 23 rd May this year !!! It was realised on 20th June by myself and I immediately called Scottish Power who said that they could do nothing about it until I had taken a further meter reading - I did this the same day and sent it in , I was at the same time told that they cannot refund money for eight days after receiving the reading . After waiting a couple of days not feeling happy about this I went online to check things and saw that the account with them was now £4300 in credit !!! on 21st June after I had had my previous call with them they took a further £1754.10 - I already was in credit with them for over £800 . i called again and  asked to speak to a manager !! person working from home no chance but he did contact him and I was told that I had to go to the bank and state that I was claiming the refund on an Indemnity claim or wait a further 8-10 days for a refund ! All this time I am on overdraft charges let alone the hours waiting on the phone and the stress of it all . I chased this again yesterday and had the most rude man who just did not grasp what had happened until I threatened him with theft and legal action, he then contacted the manager and came back with his tail between his legs saying that the refund is being processed and should be with me by 15th July latest so I am still waiting - nothing up to now today ( 13th ) . 
My reason to contact you is a) let you know what these companies are doing. b) should i cancel my D/D , the bank advised not to but !!  c) can I claim compensation for my calls , time wasted - hours !! and stress involved ? Many thanks

Robin9

Can you confirm that as at end April you were £800 in credit -  ie apprx 12 x the DD you were paying.

What is your actual annual consumption please ?  Are you in or out of contract ?


(My contract with another supplier has S/c of over £2 / day so 369 would barely buy me a handful of units)

Farway

Pammyj said:

My reason to contact you is a) let you know what these companies are doing. b) should i cancel my D/D , the bank advised not to but !!  c) can I claim compensation for my calls , time wasted - hours !! and stress involved ? Many thanks

The bank was right, don't cancel the DD however justified you may feel. Doing so may result in a reject payment debit from SP.

No human is involved, and it does not take long for robots to rubbish your credit file

diystarter7

Op, claim compo.

k_man

diystarter7 said:

Op, claim compo.

If the direct debit is indeed for an incorrect value.