Wipe out Ovo bill?

theeicebear

I have been trying to sort out my electric bill with Ovo for months now.

I am a considered a vulnerable adult (AuDHD, depression, anxiety, type 2 diabetes). I nearly died in Feb 2022 from covid and the DTs. As consequence I fell behind on my electric bill with Ovo.

As an autistic adult, I can not cope with phone calls. Especially when its Indian call centres. I'm a scouser, and they cant understand me at the best of times.

I have tried and tried to get Ovo to contact me and sort this out via email, whatsapp or face-to-face. Every single "solution" of theirs is "call us". When I got them to Whatsapp me, they put me through to 3 different departments and then onto Boost. Which I do not have an account with, they said to call this number...

Ovo is supposed to be a part of a vulnerability scheme to help people like me. They have been as much use as a chocolate fireguard. 

I was wondering if there is any way of getting this debt wiped out or seriously reduced? As I want to leave Ovo and go elsewhere as they are rubbish. 

Thanks in advance for any help, tips or advice! 
Simon 

Robin9

Is there someone who could speak to OVO on your behalf - perhaps pretending to be you ?

theeicebear

Robin9 said:

Is there someone who could speak to OVO on your behalf - perhaps pretending to be you ?

Not really. No. 

It's also the principal that these companies should have provision and accessibility for people like me.

Ayr_Rage

Have you actually registered with their Priority Services Register?

They do have provisions for "people like me"

https://www.ovoenergy.com/help/article/priority-services-register

However, no energy company is likely to allow you to move away whilst your account is in debit.

I think the best you can hope for is a payment plan to clear the arrears.

victor2

Can you get an appointment with Citizens Advice and ask them to help sort it out?
Or, as Robin9 suggests, ask someone to talk to OVO on your behalf. They shouldn't pretend to be you, but you inform OVO that they have your permission to discuss your account. Do you get medical support from anyone or any organisation who could step in on your behalf?
Don't expect the debt to be wiped out, but a manageable means of repayment should be the goal, along with possibly reducing your usage.

theeicebear

victor2 said:

Can you get an appointment with Citizens Advice and ask them to help sort it out?
Or, as Robin9 suggests, ask someone to talk to OVO on your behalf. They shouldn't pretend to be you, but you inform OVO that they have your permission to discuss your account. Do you get medical support from anyone or any organisation who could step in on your behalf?
Don't expect the debt to be wiped out, but a manageable means of repayment should be the goal, along with possibly reducing your usage.

 I havent. But just contacted them about it. Thank you! 

victor2

theeicebear said:

victor2 said:

Can you get an appointment with Citizens Advice and ask them to help sort it out?
Or, as Robin9 suggests, ask someone to talk to OVO on your behalf. They shouldn't pretend to be you, but you inform OVO that they have your permission to discuss your account. Do you get medical support from anyone or any organisation who could step in on your behalf?
Don't expect the debt to be wiped out, but a manageable means of repayment should be the goal, along with possibly reducing your usage.

 I havent. But just contacted them about it. Thank you! 

Good luck. Do please come back and let us know how it goes.

theeicebear

victor2 said:

theeicebear said:

victor2 said:

Can you get an appointment with Citizens Advice and ask them to help sort it out?
Or, as Robin9 suggests, ask someone to talk to OVO on your behalf. They shouldn't pretend to be you, but you inform OVO that they have your permission to discuss your account. Do you get medical support from anyone or any organisation who could step in on your behalf?
Don't expect the debt to be wiped out, but a manageable means of repayment should be the goal, along with possibly reducing your usage.

 I havent. But just contacted them about it. Thank you! 

Good luck. Do please come back and let us know how it goes.

I shall do, mate. Thank you for the advice!