Possible energy scam???

[Deleted User]

Brie said:

MSE_Laura_F said:

In case this is helpful to your friend, @Brie:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/07/dwp-cost-of-living-scam-texts-warning/

It doesn't mention this exact scam though - I've passed on your post to the news team so they're aware of it.

Thanks,

MSE Laura F

Thanks Laura - on further investigation it doesn't appear that this is a scam.

Turns out it is the anticipated £400 that energy companies are being given and then should hit our accounts in the next four months.  And what it is that he needs to make his DD payment as normal and then they will credit back the £67ish to his bank account.  Possibly because currently, he is in credit.  I asked a colleague today if she'd heard of this and apparently, she'd had the same message from her provider Scottish Power.  

This makes me wonder if it's an industry wide agreed way to deal with these payments if someone is in credit.

I haven't heard anything about this from my provider (Eon) but perhaps that's because I'm not in credit.  I must admit I had thought that the money would just sit on the account until it was required so mine would be used immediately while friend and colleague's would be used when their energy use increases over winter. 

That explains a lot.

The process you describe is exactly a government approved process for the rebate - pay your DD as normal and then a couple of days later get a £66 refund.

It avoids changing everyone's DD payment down for six months and then back up again.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

have a look HERE for details of how suppliers will pay.

cymruchris

Good - so your friend is not sending any additional money anywhere, and has just got their wires crossed. They pay as normal - then get a payment back to their bank reference the £400 split over 6 months.

Brie

cymruchris said:

Good - so your friend is not sending any additional money anywhere, and has just got their wires crossed. They pay as normal - then get a payment back to their bank reference the £400 split over 6 months.

To tell the truth I think he's just likes to complain.