Being taking to court for extortionate Gas and Electric bill - please help.

LuisDiaz

Have been on the phone for over 40mins, transferred between 3 different people, they claim they can not see the payments coming into their system (the payments BG have collected in 2024) they dont seem to care really and am being fobbed off.

cobnobbler

LuisDiaz said:

Have been on the phone for over 40mins, transferred between 3 different people, they claim they can not see the payments coming into their system (the payments BG have collected in 2024) they dont give a shi£ and just being fobbed off.

A lot going on in this thread so it's hard to keep up, but it seems to me that until you get your bank statements to confirm what was or was not paid at any given time then you cannot establish what has happened.

I'm sorry you have had a stressful time but if you are not on top of what is happening with your energy usage and bank account then something like this can happen. Easy to say after the fact, but you should be studying your bank statements and energy bills regularly.

cannugec5

LuisDiaz said:

Have been on the phone for over 40mins, transferred between 3 different people, they claim they can not see the payments coming into their system (the payments BG have collected in 2024) they dont give a shi£ and just being fobbed off.

Unfortunately you seem to have missed the advise to keep your communication with BG in writing. That means letter, email ( or web chat if you request a transcript). That way you have a copy of the conversation for your court defence. 

As your energy account has already been passed from BG to their legal department, I’m not surprised that their customer service team were unable to help you. 

As others have already suggested, you need proper help as this is going to court. Contact Citizens Advice and ask for their help through the court processes. 

The impression I’m getting is that you are running around like a headless chicken. Not a criticism. I don’t think you are really taking in the advice given because you are feeling panic. CAB will be calm. They have done this before. They will help you through it without judgement. 

I would expect the eventual outcome will be that you are put onto a sensible payment plan to repay the monies owed over a period of time.  However I think you need to be realistic about just how much energy costs these days. 

Scot_39

I think considering the stress and the threat of that aamount via debt proceedings - the OP is getting as good a picture as reasonably can.

And better than many asking for help have managed in past - the dated notes of telecon was a nice sign - I would say - of a fairly organised person.

And remember these calls are recorded and kept - and complaint handlers will have and will access.  It's not a disaster.

But the sad thing is after so many months - even with the potential payment issue corrected - and the potential on going overestimation - the OP is still facing a large bill. 

If has the n months accumulated in bank (I think OP said found a job move)  - by all means pay some of it.

If not - as you say repayment.

As BG at fault here - arguably more than once -  a little sanity and if caught earlier on, could have seen a far smaller amount  just added to monthly DD - over say 12-24m.

My mum was allowed to pay £50pm over 12m when 2.5 years of estimated bills caught up with her.  S Gas had readings but ignored - just over £100 comp as well.

[Aside
Last Feb - my sister came off a fix onto SVT - at SP - and for whatever reason that was said to have lost the DD details.
They sent her email then letter - reset DD mandate - fine since. 
If one firm can manage to monitor for their own and customers benefit account payments anomalies that closely - why are others not doing so ?]

LuisDiaz

Hi all,
I wanted to share a quick update:

After a long 2+ hours and being transferred between 6 people (and being cut off too)

-  BG advisor said I owe them (BG) 4.5k for services between Jan and Aug - which is impossible in my view. I appreciate the cost of utility services have gone up, by my consumption levels have not exceeded - (could I have faulty metres ?)
- BG advisor eventually agreed to look at the bank statements and said they could see the payments have been taken (in 2024) but by the ''Business'' department (another BG issue). they want me to call BG business department to resolve.
- advisor said migration happened mid-2023
- they said the DD automatically cancelled (by BG)

they are closed now. I have to try again tomorrow 

LuisDiaz

cannugec5 said:

LuisDiaz said:

Have been on the phone for over 40mins, transferred between 3 different people, they claim they can not see the payments coming into their system (the payments BG have collected in 2024) they dont give a shi£ and just being fobbed off.

Unfortunately you seem to have missed the advise to keep your communication with BG in writing. That means letter, email ( or web chat if you request a transcript). That way you have a copy of the conversation for your court defence. 

As your energy account has already been passed from BG to their legal department, I’m not surprised that their customer service team were unable to help you. 

As others have already suggested, you need proper help as this is going to court. Contact Citizens Advice and ask for their help through the court processes. 

The impression I’m getting is that you are running around like a headless chicken. Not a criticism. I don’t think you are really taking in the advice given because you are feeling panic. CAB will be calm. They have done this before. They will help you through it without judgement. 

I would expect the eventual outcome will be that you are put onto a sensible payment plan to repay the monies owed over a period of time.  However I think you need to be realistic about just how much energy costs these days. 

You are right and I will follow up with email. I have noted down names. 
Yes, panic, stress, anxious. Not a good feeling at all.

Thanks for your help.

PennysIntoPounds

That's great you persevered with calling them, hopefully tomorrow the business department will be able to shed further light. 

LuisDiaz

Scot_39 said:

I think considering the stress and the threat of that aamount via debt proceedings - the OP is getting as good a picture as reasonably can.

And better than many asking for help have managed in past - the dated notes of telecon was a nice sign - I would say - of a fairly organised person.

And remember these calls are recorded and kept - and complaint handlers will have and will access.  It's not a disaster.

But the sad thing is after so many months - even with the potential payment issue corrected - and the potential on going overestimation - the OP is still facing a large bill. 

If has the n months accumulated in bank (I think OP said found a job move)  - by all means pay some of it.

If not - as you say repayment.

As BG at fault here - arguably more than once -  a little sanity and if caught earlier on, could have seen a far smaller amount  just added to monthly DD - over say 12-24m.

My mum was allowed to pay £50pm over 12m when 2.5 years of estimated bills caught up with her.  S Gas had readings but ignored - just over £100 comp as well.

[Aside
Last Feb - my sister came off a fix onto SVT - at SP - and for whatever reason that was said to have lost the DD details.
They sent her email then letter - reset DD mandate - fine since. 
If one firm can manage to monitor for their own and customers benefit account payments anomalies that closely - why are others not doing so ?]

Hi Scot, 
I have received amazing response from everyone here and its really helpful. Its just a shame I'm taking up everyone's time as there will no doubt be others who will need the help too.
The advisors weren't very help at BG and just wanted to get rid of the call, which is not unusual.

Thank you for your comments and help. 

LuisDiaz

benparry1977 said:

I am looking to switch pre price cap increase. I looked at all the big name suppliers however, also found a new supplier called Tomato Energy. Tomato offered the best rates I have found to date at 19.46p/Kwh for fixed and agile rates between 2,8p/KWh and 18.8p/KWh. THis beats Octopus and E-On hands down [by circa 2p\KWh]. Definitely worth looking at.

Thanks Ben, I will consider this.

LuisDiaz

PennysIntoPounds said:

That's great you persevered with calling them, hopefully tomorrow the business department will be able to shed further light. 

PennysIntoPounds said:

That's great you persevered with calling them, hopefully tomorrow the business department will be able to shed further light. 

Thank you Penny.