Octopus "choose debt repayment options"

emmachizit

My Octopus fixed rate deal ends February 19th 2025 - I pay by a fixed monthly direct debit of £305 and I'm c £300 in credit after the latest meter readings submitted by me on January 3rd 2025.
They've emailed me with 2 new tariff offers £269 variable and £259 fixed no exit fees but when I click on  " Review Terms and Confirm Renewal " they say 
 "Would you like to:
Continue paying £38.75 per month in catch-up payments
That's £297.76 until July, then £259.01 per month thereafter
or: Pay the difference with your next payment, then just pay for your energy each month
That's an extra £271.25 on your next payment, then £259.01 per month " 
When I saved that page their title for it came up as "choose debt repayment options " - how have I run up debts when I'm paying a fixed payment of their choosing by direct debit and sending them meter readings when I get their reminder.each month and I'm always in credit.?
Do Octopus Direct Debit deals the same 

Newbie_John

just a name of the page, ignore

emmachizit

If I leave Octopus next month will I still have to pay catch-up payments ?

Sorry about that unfinished sentence in my first post - do the Octopus direct debit deals offered include Variable Direct Debit arrangements : pay each month for what you've used ? 

Gerry1

emmachizit said:

...do the Octopus direct debit deals offered include Variable Direct Debit arrangements : pay each month for what you've used ? 

They do offer Variable Direct Debit, but you'll have to email or call them.

emmachizit

Do Octopus impose higher tariffs for variable direct debit arrangements than for fixed amount direct debit arrangements?

EssexHebridean

emmachizit said:

Do Octopus impose higher tariffs for variable direct debit arrangements than for fixed amount direct debit arrangements?

Nope. DD is DD. 

MattMattMattUK

emmachizit said:

If I leave Octopus next month will I still have to pay catch-up payments ?

Are the catch up payments for a legacy unpaid balance? If it is and you leave Octopus then you will need to pay the balance in full to be able to leave. 

QrizB

emmachizit said:

.. I pay by a fixed monthly direct debit of £305 and I'm c £300 in credit ...

Are you sure you're in credit?

The catch up payments - seven months of ~£40 a month - total almost £300. Which coincidentally is the amount that you think you're in credit by.