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Eon threatening to cut off electric soon if money isn't paid
my husband's uncle and is 80 years old. He doesn't have the internet so cannot create or access an online account.
Uncle has received a letter saying he has to pay £249 ish a month or his electricity will be cut off soon. I don't know the location of his meter, or if he's been sending regular meter readings.
Uncle has said he tried to phone eon earlier today and was told that if he could be disconnected if he doesn't pay. I don't know if the £250 is debt or his monthly payment.
We're not sure if this is genuine or a scam, but he's just phoned my husband and is very worried. Uncle seems to think he is only with eon for his electricity, and only has a tv and a fridge that uses electric. Heating, cooking and bathing all come from the gas boiler.
I've contacted eon via email and I am waiting for a reply, uncle lives 90 miles away, so I haven't been able to see the letter. Is this genuine or could it be a scam?
Uncle has said he tried to phone eon earlier today and was told that if he could be disconnected if he doesn't pay. I don't know if the £250 is debt or his monthly payment.
We're not sure if this is genuine or a scam, but he's just phoned my husband and is very worried. Uncle seems to think he is only with eon for his electricity, and only has a tv and a fridge that uses electric. Heating, cooking and bathing all come from the gas boiler.
I've contacted eon via email and I am waiting for a reply, uncle lives 90 miles away, so I haven't been able to see the letter. Is this genuine or could it be a scam?
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Comments
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Electricity doesn’t get cut off these days. If a debt is owed & not paid they will install a prepayment meter. Does he not have a neighbour or cared who could help him?0
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No, no neighbours to help. Last year I contacted adult social care but he declined their support.
He definitely said in the letter he was going to get cut off if ye didn't pay. I'll ask him to send me the letter0 -
Eon will not tell you anything about his account without his prior authority, due to data protection rules. Your best bet is to set up online access to the account yourself, with his approval.
Disconnection is only done in instances of meter tampering and theft these days, if a debt is built up and no agreement made to pay off the arrears, then a warrant can eventually be obtained to fit a PPM., or a smart meter switched from credit mode to PPM remotely.
I suspect he has misunderstood the contents of the letter: scams are rarely done by means of a letter these days.
How does he pay his energy bills?No free lunch, and no free laptop2 -
One quick way to determine whether there's any potential for this to be legit is ask him what the phone number was in the letter. Then you can look it up online, see if it's a number Eon have on their website.
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macman said:Eon will not tell you anything about his account without his prior authority, due to data protection rules. Your best bet is to set up online access to the account yourself, with his approval.
Disconnection is only done in instances of meter tampering and theft these days, if a debt is built up and no agreement made to pay off the arrears, then a warrant can eventually be obtained to fit a PPM., or a smart meter switched from credit mode to PPM remotely.
I suspect he has misunderstood the contents of the letter: scams are rarely done by means of a letter these days.
How does he pay his energy bills?2 -
mrsg1990 said:my husband's uncle and is 80 years old. He doesn't have the internet so cannot create or access an online account.Uncle has received a letter saying he has to pay £249 ish a month or his electricity will be cut off soon. I don't know the location of his meter, or if he's been sending regular meter readings.
Uncle has said he tried to phone eon earlier today and was told that if he could be disconnected if he doesn't pay. I don't know if the £250 is debt or his monthly payment.
We're not sure if this is genuine or a scam, but he's just phoned my husband and is very worried. Uncle seems to think he is only with eon for his electricity, and only has a tv and a fridge that uses electric. Heating, cooking and bathing all come from the gas boiler.
I've contacted eon via email and I am waiting for a reply, uncle lives 90 miles away, so I haven't been able to see the letter. Is this genuine or could it be a scam?Never pay on an estimated bill. Always read and understand your bill2 -
Robin9 said:mrsg1990 said:my husband's uncle and is 80 years old. He doesn't have the internet so cannot create or access an online account.Uncle has received a letter saying he has to pay £249 ish a month or his electricity will be cut off soon. I don't know the location of his meter, or if he's been sending regular meter readings.
Uncle has said he tried to phone eon earlier today and was told that if he could be disconnected if he doesn't pay. I don't know if the £250 is debt or his monthly payment.
We're not sure if this is genuine or a scam, but he's just phoned my husband and is very worried. Uncle seems to think he is only with eon for his electricity, and only has a tv and a fridge that uses electric. Heating, cooking and bathing all come from the gas boiler.
I've contacted eon via email and I am waiting for a reply, uncle lives 90 miles away, so I haven't been able to see the letter. Is this genuine or could it be a scam?Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. Anne Lamott
It's amazing how those with a can-do attitude and willingness to 'pitch in and work' get all the luck, isn't it?
Please consider buying some pet food and giving it to your local food bank collection or animal charity. Animals aren't to blame for the cost of living crisis.0 -
Thank you all for your help0
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Hi,perhaps THIS would be helpful.1
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It looks like a visit to see your uncle is due. It may be time to gently see how you can help - other bills, benefits - perhaps time to get LOA's in place - will?
It is very difficult to do anything without his authority - my MIL's doctor wanted a letter
Please do come back to us -Never pay on an estimated bill. Always read and understand your bill0
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