British Gas and excessive direct debit

pochase

To be £1300 in credit you would have hardly used any energy at all in the last 6 months, that is more than 4 months worth of direct debits, including winter.

When was your last bill? As others were saying BG is often the problem that they only bill every 6 months and you seem to have a huge debit which is only there because they have not billed yet.

The £400 that you will get does not count against the direct debit at this moment, that will only happen once it is due.

Do you submit meter readings on a regular base?

Brie

Write down everything that has happened in a straight forward manner.....on this date, this happened, one this next date, this other thing happened.  Completely objective.

Include everything from when you set up the DD and every email or call that you have received or sent.  Even the calls when you were on hold for X and didn't get through.

Include also the fact the DD took you over drawn and how much this has cost you.

Email these details to them with the work COMPLAINT in the subject line and clearly point out that they have cost you money as well as a lot of time.  Politely but unemotionally point out that you are caring for a vulnerable individual and don't think they should cause you any more stress than you have currently.

Give them 5 days to reply with something other than an automated answer.  If they don't reply send it again adding SECOND REQUEST FOR RESPONSE to the subject line.  But hopefully it won't come to that.

Maincarer

Hi,

I was £1300 in credit on 1st March and it was an actual bill not an estimate.  BG have never given notice for this new amount.  I have been paying £285 for months,

pochase

Maincarer said:

Hi,

I was £1300 in credit on 1st March and it was an actual bill not an estimate.  BG have never given notice for this new amount.  I have been paying £285 for months,

An actual bill can be based on estimated meter readings. Did you submit regular readings? 

Did you submit a meter read for the 31st of March?

What does the bill state what energy you used?

Maincarer

Hi,

Bank have now refunded £476.  Hopefully BG can sort the rest out.  Many thanks for the good advice.

Mstty

I am not sure that you have got to the bottom of the issue though. 

If you have some time read through and respond to the questions above 👍

Maincarer

Yes, I do not have much confidence in BG.  I have registered a formal complaint with them.  Checking their App today it still states there is a glitch with the Direct Debits.  I am fortunate that I have access to a computer and your help and advice.  I really worry for people who are not in that position.

Maincarer

I did finally speak to someone at BG today.  She could not advise why £476 had been taken.  She confirmed that £285 is the correct amount and based on the actual reading I had given was on target.  The App still shows there is a glitch .