British Gas moved me to paperless bills without my consent

GingerTim

Marvel1 said:

MattMattMattUK said:

triade said:

I want to help improve our environment, I want to make that clear upfront.

My energy bills are the only paper bills I get though and the reason is, so I can prove my address.

Every so often we need to apply for something where we need to prove our address, so a recent bill is generally requested.

I have chosen to keep getting my periodical statements through the post and I had not planned to change that.

I got an email from them today telling me I'd been switched to paperless. They didn't ask me first, they just switched it.

I take affront to that so I contacted them and instructed them to change it back.

They told me it had been switched back and I have to take their word for it.

I don't like how they did this so I want to talk about it.

I am not sure what there really is to talk about it, they would not need your permission to switch you over to paperless, only to notify you that they were doing it.

triade said:

btw. I know that some might say I should print out the statement if I ever need to prove my address, but I believe me buying a printer and ensuring there is working ink cartridges in it just for this rare circumstance is a false economy and too much hassle. It doesn't make sense to me to try and find a place that does printing either and my friends don't have printers.

I am more surprised that you still need a bill to prove your address, I thought with the fact that people could knock one up these days in minutes that would have long died. When I recently had to do KYC for a business bank account as a company director the only documents they would accept were passport, driving license and Council Tax bill, utility bills were not on the list. Is a utility bill still valid in any context as a proof of address? 

Some gambling sites request one - within the last 3 month's, along with photo ID.

The more barriers to gambling, the better!

EssexHebridean

GingerTim said:

Marvel1 said:

MattMattMattUK said:

triade said:

I want to help improve our environment, I want to make that clear upfront.

My energy bills are the only paper bills I get though and the reason is, so I can prove my address.

Every so often we need to apply for something where we need to prove our address, so a recent bill is generally requested.

I have chosen to keep getting my periodical statements through the post and I had not planned to change that.

I got an email from them today telling me I'd been switched to paperless. They didn't ask me first, they just switched it.

I take affront to that so I contacted them and instructed them to change it back.

They told me it had been switched back and I have to take their word for it.

I don't like how they did this so I want to talk about it.

I am not sure what there really is to talk about it, they would not need your permission to switch you over to paperless, only to notify you that they were doing it.

triade said:

btw. I know that some might say I should print out the statement if I ever need to prove my address, but I believe me buying a printer and ensuring there is working ink cartridges in it just for this rare circumstance is a false economy and too much hassle. It doesn't make sense to me to try and find a place that does printing either and my friends don't have printers.

I am more surprised that you still need a bill to prove your address, I thought with the fact that people could knock one up these days in minutes that would have long died. When I recently had to do KYC for a business bank account as a company director the only documents they would accept were passport, driving license and Council Tax bill, utility bills were not on the list. Is a utility bill still valid in any context as a proof of address? 

Some gambling sites request one - within the last 3 month's, along with photo ID.

The more barriers to gambling, the better!

Not going to disagree too much with that - problem is, if you come to want to buy or sell a house, your solicitor will be needing to see something proving address too - and if you've not got a photo driving license AND a passport, then a council tax bill or recent utility bill received in the post is most people's best bet!

GingerTim

EssexHebridean said:

GingerTim said:

Marvel1 said:

MattMattMattUK said:

triade said:

I want to help improve our environment, I want to make that clear upfront.

My energy bills are the only paper bills I get though and the reason is, so I can prove my address.

Every so often we need to apply for something where we need to prove our address, so a recent bill is generally requested.

I have chosen to keep getting my periodical statements through the post and I had not planned to change that.

I got an email from them today telling me I'd been switched to paperless. They didn't ask me first, they just switched it.

I take affront to that so I contacted them and instructed them to change it back.

They told me it had been switched back and I have to take their word for it.

I don't like how they did this so I want to talk about it.

I am not sure what there really is to talk about it, they would not need your permission to switch you over to paperless, only to notify you that they were doing it.

triade said:

btw. I know that some might say I should print out the statement if I ever need to prove my address, but I believe me buying a printer and ensuring there is working ink cartridges in it just for this rare circumstance is a false economy and too much hassle. It doesn't make sense to me to try and find a place that does printing either and my friends don't have printers.

I am more surprised that you still need a bill to prove your address, I thought with the fact that people could knock one up these days in minutes that would have long died. When I recently had to do KYC for a business bank account as a company director the only documents they would accept were passport, driving license and Council Tax bill, utility bills were not on the list. Is a utility bill still valid in any context as a proof of address? 

Some gambling sites request one - within the last 3 month's, along with photo ID.

The more barriers to gambling, the better!

Not going to disagree too much with that - problem is, if you come to want to buy or sell a house, your solicitor will be needing to see something proving address too - and if you've not got a photo driving license AND a passport, then a council tax bill or recent utility bill received in the post is most people's best bet!

Indeed, and I won't disagree with that, either!

[Deleted User]

GingerTim said:

EssexHebridean said:

GingerTim said:

Marvel1 said:

MattMattMattUK said:

triade said:

I want to help improve our environment, I want to make that clear upfront.

My energy bills are the only paper bills I get though and the reason is, so I can prove my address.

Every so often we need to apply for something where we need to prove our address, so a recent bill is generally requested.

I have chosen to keep getting my periodical statements through the post and I had not planned to change that.

I got an email from them today telling me I'd been switched to paperless. They didn't ask me first, they just switched it.

I take affront to that so I contacted them and instructed them to change it back.

They told me it had been switched back and I have to take their word for it.

I don't like how they did this so I want to talk about it.

I am not sure what there really is to talk about it, they would not need your permission to switch you over to paperless, only to notify you that they were doing it.

triade said:

btw. I know that some might say I should print out the statement if I ever need to prove my address, but I believe me buying a printer and ensuring there is working ink cartridges in it just for this rare circumstance is a false economy and too much hassle. It doesn't make sense to me to try and find a place that does printing either and my friends don't have printers.

I am more surprised that you still need a bill to prove your address, I thought with the fact that people could knock one up these days in minutes that would have long died. When I recently had to do KYC for a business bank account as a company director the only documents they would accept were passport, driving license and Council Tax bill, utility bills were not on the list. Is a utility bill still valid in any context as a proof of address? 

Some gambling sites request one - within the last 3 month's, along with photo ID.

The more barriers to gambling, the better!

Not going to disagree too much with that - problem is, if you come to want to buy or sell a house, your solicitor will be needing to see something proving address too - and if you've not got a photo driving license AND a passport, then a council tax bill or recent utility bill received in the post is most people's best bet!

Indeed, and I won't disagree with that, either!

All that is true but energy suppliers are not obliged to produce paper statements just for identification purposes. We should bite the bullet and the Government should introduce Identity Cards with biometrics. (I’ll get my coat and start the car).

Having just renewed my driving licence, it was a 3 minute job which involved the DVLA getting confirmation of my identity etc from the Passport Office and other agencies. As a society, we can do better than utility bills which are easily forged.

Bridlington1

GingerTim said:

Marvel1 said:

MattMattMattUK said:

triade said:

I want to help improve our environment, I want to make that clear upfront.

My energy bills are the only paper bills I get though and the reason is, so I can prove my address.

Every so often we need to apply for something where we need to prove our address, so a recent bill is generally requested.

I have chosen to keep getting my periodical statements through the post and I had not planned to change that.

I got an email from them today telling me I'd been switched to paperless. They didn't ask me first, they just switched it.

I take affront to that so I contacted them and instructed them to change it back.

They told me it had been switched back and I have to take their word for it.

I don't like how they did this so I want to talk about it.

I am not sure what there really is to talk about it, they would not need your permission to switch you over to paperless, only to notify you that they were doing it.

triade said:

btw. I know that some might say I should print out the statement if I ever need to prove my address, but I believe me buying a printer and ensuring there is working ink cartridges in it just for this rare circumstance is a false economy and too much hassle. It doesn't make sense to me to try and find a place that does printing either and my friends don't have printers.

I am more surprised that you still need a bill to prove your address, I thought with the fact that people could knock one up these days in minutes that would have long died. When I recently had to do KYC for a business bank account as a company director the only documents they would accept were passport, driving license and Council Tax bill, utility bills were not on the list. Is a utility bill still valid in any context as a proof of address? 

Some gambling sites request one - within the last 3 month's, along with photo ID.

The more barriers to gambling, the better!

It depends. Gambling for pleasure I would agree with you on, people should not do it as it is a complete waste of time and money, especially if you can't afford it. Most people should avoid the bookmakers like the black death.

However for those of us who have never had any urge to gamble whatsoever and look upon the bookies as a potential source of income by manipulating their marketing methods, it can be a very profitable little hobby.

I personally do a bit of matched betting every now and then, which is essentially where one of the bookies offer me a free bet so place the free bet on something then place a lay bet with a different bookmaker on the exact same event so that if the first bet wins, the winnings will cover the cost of the second bet with a bit of money left over and if the first bet doesn't win, the second bet will have won by default, again more than covering the cost of the second bet. The result is that I am guaranteed to win money regardless of the outcome.

Clueless56

I feel your pain.  I keep a couple of my bills paper through the post for the same reason.  I insist on paper bills from Thames Water for this reason, but mainly to irritate them as they're an awful company to have to deal with, so I enjoy the nuisance factor.

Annemos

Triade, this has just happened to me. They are suddenly wanting me to do everything through an on-line account which I have never set up. I have not asked for this. I do not want to manage my account through an on-line account. 

Apparently I have been moved to a brand new system that they now have. 

I have been asking about this issue for ten days and still have not had a firm response on whether I can go back to paper bills twice a year. 

Today I went onto their webchat complaint line and they could not even access any of my details because I am now on the new system. (This webchat is in India.) 

So I have now sent a formal complaint form through the website asking....

1) Why was British Gas not even aware that I had been fitted with a refurbished non-smart gas meter in October 2022, through a  Network Plus contractor? Somehow this was done and nobody told British Gas. What failure has there been in their systems that this could happen. (I have had to send them a photo of the replacement meter!) 

2) Also I have asked for confirmation that I will go back to my paper bills. 

(I am so perplexed that after 30 years of being with British Gas and being really happy with them, there have now been these issues.) 


I will let you know when I hear back. 

triade

Annemos said:

Triade, this has just happened to me. They are suddenly wanting me to do everything through an on-line account which I have never set up. I have not asked for this. I do not want to manage my account through an on-line account. 

...................................

(I am so perplexed that after 30 years of being with British Gas and being really happy with them, there have now been these issues.) 


I will let you know when I hear back. 

I'm so sorry you've had this happen. I was more or less okay because I do put money on my meter through an online account, but their website is not good anyway to be honest, my electricity balance consistently says £0 online even though I know for a fact I've kept it over £100. I certainly understand you not wishing to use their online system and I really hope you get it sorted soon.

[Deleted User]

Annemos said:

Triade, this has just happened to me. They are suddenly wanting me to do everything through an on-line account which I have never set up. I have not asked for this. I do not want to manage my account through an on-line account. 

Apparently I have been moved to a brand new system that they now have. 

I have been asking about this issue for ten days and still have not had a firm response on whether I can go back to paper bills twice a year. 

Today I went onto their webchat complaint line and they could not even access any of my details because I am now on the new system. (This webchat is in India.) 

So I have now sent a formal complaint form through the website asking....

1) Why was British Gas not even aware that I had been fitted with a refurbished non-smart gas meter in October 2022, through a  Network Plus contractor? Somehow this was done and nobody told British Gas. What failure has there been in their systems that this could happen. (I have had to send them a photo of the replacement meter!) 

2) Also I have asked for confirmation that I will go back to my paper bills. 

(I am so perplexed that after 30 years of being with British Gas and being really happy with them, there have now been these issues.) 


I will let you know when I hear back. 

You have signed up to a contract that allows BG to make this change. Has BG specifically said that it will continue to provide you with paper bills ad infinitum? I doubt it. Provided BG has provided the proper notification then there is nothing to stop them implementing a change. Clearly, if customers start moving away in droves they may have a change of mind.

32. We can change the terms of your contract at any time, including prices and payment methods, unless we’ve agreed with you that we won’t. If we make a change to your contract and that change puts you at a disadvantage (including if we increase your prices), we’ll give you reasonable notice of the change before it takes effect. If the price cap applies to your contract and Ofgem increases the price cap rates at short notice, where possible, we’ll give you as much notice of the price increase as is reasonably practicable. The change won’t affect you if you:

• End your current contract with us and start a new one with us no later than 20 working days after the change, or

• Arrange to switch supplier no later than 20 working days after the change, and the switch is completed in a reasonable time. If you owe us money for supplying gas or electricity, we’ll tell you if we’ve stopped you switching. If you pay within 30 working days of us contacting you, the change to your contract won’t affect you. If you don’t pay, you agree to accept the change.

MattMattMattUK

[Deleted User] said:

GingerTim said:

EssexHebridean said:

GingerTim said:

Marvel1 said:

MattMattMattUK said:

triade said:

I want to help improve our environment, I want to make that clear upfront.

My energy bills are the only paper bills I get though and the reason is, so I can prove my address.

Every so often we need to apply for something where we need to prove our address, so a recent bill is generally requested.

I have chosen to keep getting my periodical statements through the post and I had not planned to change that.

I got an email from them today telling me I'd been switched to paperless. They didn't ask me first, they just switched it.

I take affront to that so I contacted them and instructed them to change it back.

They told me it had been switched back and I have to take their word for it.

I don't like how they did this so I want to talk about it.

I am not sure what there really is to talk about it, they would not need your permission to switch you over to paperless, only to notify you that they were doing it.

triade said:

btw. I know that some might say I should print out the statement if I ever need to prove my address, but I believe me buying a printer and ensuring there is working ink cartridges in it just for this rare circumstance is a false economy and too much hassle. It doesn't make sense to me to try and find a place that does printing either and my friends don't have printers.

I am more surprised that you still need a bill to prove your address, I thought with the fact that people could knock one up these days in minutes that would have long died. When I recently had to do KYC for a business bank account as a company director the only documents they would accept were passport, driving license and Council Tax bill, utility bills were not on the list. Is a utility bill still valid in any context as a proof of address? 

Some gambling sites request one - within the last 3 month's, along with photo ID.

The more barriers to gambling, the better!

Not going to disagree too much with that - problem is, if you come to want to buy or sell a house, your solicitor will be needing to see something proving address too - and if you've not got a photo driving license AND a passport, then a council tax bill or recent utility bill received in the post is most people's best bet!

Indeed, and I won't disagree with that, either!

All that is true but energy suppliers are not obliged to produce paper statements just for identification purposes. We should bite the bullet and the Government should introduce Identity Cards with biometrics. (I’ll get my coat and start the car).

Having just renewed my driving licence, it was a 3 minute job which involved the DVLA getting confirmation of my identity etc from the Passport Office and other agencies. As a society, we can do better than utility bills which are easily forged.

I have never understood why British people are so against ID cards, especially when a significant majority of us already carry them in the form of Driving Licenses anyway. In countries where they have them they make a lot of life far easier, in the UK there seems to be an irrational dislike of them.