My Journey with OVO Energy: A Timeline of Distress and Bullying Tactics

Jaber_UK

Hello everyone,

I want to share my personal journey with OVO Energy, highlighting the distressing experiences and the bullying tactics I have encountered along the way. By outlining a timeline of events, I hope to raise awareness and caution potential customers about the challenges they might face when dealing with this energy provider. Here is my story:

1. May 2022: I moved from a rental property to my new home and promptly notified OVO Energy of my change of address, expecting a smooth transition. Little did I know that this would mark the beginning of a tumultuous ordeal.
2. September 2022: Frustrated by the lack of progress, I embarked on a relentless pursuit for resolution. Countless calls to OVO Energy's customer service went on for hours, only to be abruptly cut off, leaving me more exasperated than before. Emails sent to their designated addresses bounced back as undeliverable, and WhatsApp messages were left ignored and unanswered. It seemed as though every avenue of communication was met with deliberate avoidance and indifference.  Until finally, a debt collection agency got involved.
3. December 2022: Frustrated by the lack of progress, I sought assistance from the Ombudsman Services. Thankfully, they ruled in my favor, acknowledging that I was not responsible for the charges incurred at the rental property after my departure and the debt agency have stopped calling.
4. May 2023: However, despite the Ombudsman Services' decision, OVO Energy continued to harass and intimidate me. They sent me a new bill that not only contradicted the ruling but also violated Ofgem's Standard Licence Condition (SLC) 21 BA, that explicitly prohibits charging customers for energy usage beyond 12 months if accurate billing or a statement of account was not provided within that timeframe.
5. June 2023: Exhausted by the ongoing ordeal, I have now reached a breaking point. I have just written a letter threatening legal action, hoping that it would finally prompt OVO Energy to rectify their actions and provide a fair resolution.  But I doubt it.

Throughout this entire timeline, OVO Energy has exhibited a complete disregard for customer well-being, employing bullying tactics and failing to comply with regulatory guidelines. Their actions have caused immense distress, anxiety, and inconvenience, affecting not only me but also my loved ones.

I write this forum post as a warning to potential customers, urging you to exercise caution when considering OVO Energy as your energy provider. Conduct thorough research, read customer reviews, and weigh the potential risks before making a decision. It is crucial to choose a company that prioritizes customer satisfaction, adheres to regulatory standards, and treats its customers with respect and fairness.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, know that you are not alone. Reach out to consumer advocacy groups, regulatory authorities, and seek legal advice if necessary. Together, we can raise awareness and hold companies accountable for their actions.

Let us stand united against bullying tactics and demand fair treatment from energy providers. No one should have to endure the distress and hardship caused by such unethical practices.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Let's support one another and work towards a future where customers are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

Best regards,

Jaber_UK

^ just in case, this was written 'WITHOUT PREJUDICE'.

CSI_Yorkshire

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/praise-vent-warnings

Wrong forum.

And adding a little note afterwards to say 'without prejudice', when posting on a public forum, means nothing.

Troytempest

OVO used to be a nice little company based in Bristol.
They have turned into a huge company exhibiting shocking customer service. Not saying that the other big ones are much better but maybe time to give them a wide berth.

cannugec5

I am not understanding what the problem is! 

You moved house. You provided your new address… 
But what is the issue? 

You describe next a ‘lack of progress’ in what? Issuing a final bill? Is that it? 

Who is the deemed supplier at your new address? Were you hoping to switch your new address to OVO as well? 

Is the debt solely at the old address or has it occurred at the new address ? Are you currently paying for your electricity use - to whom are you supplying readings? 

What legal action are you threatening- by which I mean what is the detail of your complaint? I don’t think you can take someone to court for a ‘lack of progress’. 

[Deleted User]

I am not convinced that BackBilling applies to Final Bills as suppliers have guaranteed service standards and are penalised financially if Final Bills are late.

Using the OP’s logic, if the ‘subsequent information’ only became available after 12 months, any additional charges should be written off. There have been cases on this forum of customers being persued some years after moving out.

daveyjp

I know we are all different, but in this situation as soon as I send a final reading due to a house move that's the end of my involvement until a bill is generated with my reading.

When a bill arrives I agree with it gets paid.  If the company don't send a bill for months not my problem.  Debt collector, a minor inconvenience answered by simply denying the debt if it based on incorrect data and referring them back to their client.

[Deleted User]

daveyjp said:

I know we are all different, but in this situation as soon as I send a final reading due to a house move that's the end of my involvement until a bill is generated with my reading.

When a bill arrives I agree with it gets paid.  If the company don't send a bill for months not my problem.  Debt collector, a minor inconvenience answered by simply denying the debt if it based on incorrect data and referring them back to their client.

A slightly blinkered view of the legal situation if I might say. Debts can be perused through the Courts at anytime - that said, most become time limited under the Statute of Limitations England after 6 years.

maisie_cat

[Deleted User] said:

daveyjp said:

I know we are all different, but in this situation as soon as I send a final reading due to a house move that's the end of my involvement until a bill is generated with my reading.

When a bill arrives I agree with it gets paid.  If the company don't send a bill for months not my problem.  Debt collector, a minor inconvenience answered by simply denying the debt if it based on incorrect data and referring them back to their client.

A slightly blinkered view of the legal situation if I might say. Debts can be perused through the Courts at anytime - that said, most become time limited under the Statute of Limitations England after 6 years.

But they have to be actual debts, if they don't raise a final bill or the final bill is based on incorrect readings it's easy to defend.

Jaber_UK

Thanks for your replies.

Apologies, my post wasn't clear.  A simple timeline...

May 2022 - I moved out 
July 2022 - New tenant moved in
Aug 2022 - OVO pursues me for the period the property was vacant May - July 2022
May 2023 - Ombudsman awards in my favour
June 2023 - A new bill lands for the period May 2021 - May 2022

km1500

thank you for the clarification. Reading the above it looks like you are in dispute for the last bill ie the period may 2021 to may 2022 when you were in occupation (and you are not disputing that you were in occupation)

so what is the problem with this bill? do your final readings on moving out agree with what OVO are billing you for?