Smart Prepay Max credit limit issue

steven0121

Hi all, my original post on another thread was...

Out of interest, and I have asked my supplier (Bulb), what would happen if my smart prepay meter is close to its max limit (£255), and they try to automatically add the £66, which they say they will do for me (ie not via a voucher). Will the software cope or will it reject the credit.

If anyone knows what would happen please let me know, otherwise, to anyone with a prepay (smart) meter, I suggest topping up but less than £67 away from the upper limit.

I will post if Bulb get back to me.

replies were...

I've not seen that question come up before as there is usually no incentive to top-up a smart meter to that extent as the rates will update automatically, so nothing to gain from fully loading it before a price rise.

and

It will "probably" function something like the Warm Home Discount Scheme, where suppliers are obligated to make at least 2 attempts to get the payment to a customer and attempting to issue a meter credit twice doesn't count as 2 attempts.

For the Warm Home Discount Scheme suppliers have the option to credit a different DD account (if you have one), or as a last resort they can issue cheques or vouchers for cash. The onus being on getting the funds to the customer and limiting opportunities for fraud.

steven0121

My response was...

Hi, I budgeted to the end of Feb, literally every pound, including any benefits. If the winter is harsh, I need money on my meter, and have few areas to cut back on. 

Think of it as DD payers building up a credit in the summer to use in the winter.

Prepay suits me, the size of the new bills however, doesn't. 

.........

The issue I have is, I have never needed more than £255 on my account (all electric flat). but now I might if I am budgeting Monthly during a cold winter at the new prices. Which the system wont allow.

I'm not trying to preload to get "cheap" rates

And the WHD is credited directly to my smart meter, ie I have no DD

As said I will post if I hear back, I am possibly the only person in this situation, but possibly not. FWIW, Bulb were as baffled as those that replied.

Thanks all