British gas backbilling

Skopie6382

I received a bill from British gas on Jan 31st, stating they had found an underestimate in my bill for £640.66. According to the bill it was for the period 4th to 22nd February 2024. The units over that time amounted to 2265kWh which is more electric than I have used in a whole year! When I phoned BG I was told my bills had been estimated since Feb 23 when my Smart meter stopped working. The bill was correct and I had to pay.
I am an OAP and didn't want BG taking me to court/Hitting my credit rating/or fitting a pay as you go meter. I paid the bill out of my pension savings then complained to BG. At first I was told it was a mistake, then later calls just kept demanding meter readings for a year ago.The last call insists it is not back billing and I had to pay.
My normal gas/electric bill for the year is around £1106 (including price rises) but with this bill they have charged me £1747 for a 2 bedroom terrace house with Gas heating.
I have sent BG the letter from citizens advice about back billing but all I got was "Please send meter readings for Feb 23". Who keeps their readings for a year?
Would be grateful of any advice.

Skopie6382

That should read "Please send meter readings for Feb 24". Who keeps their readings for a year? not feb 23.

QrizB

Skopie6382 said:

That should read "Please send meter readings for Feb 24". Who keeps their readings for a year?

Lots of us do.

Had you received a bill at all in those two years? Has you looked at them? Had you noticed that you weren't being charged for electricity?

Skopie6382

I was receiving bills throughout 23-24 and I was being charged for electricity. As I said in post I paid £1100 for the year by direct debit every month. I did not realise my smart meter was not working so these bills were estimated. BG didnt claim they under estimated the bills until Jan 31st 25 then hit me with an extra bill for £640.66. Thats over a year past the back billing rule.