Eon Next - Back billing issue?

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81863594#Comment_81863594

Yeah, luckily thats the case but not sure it still will be at renewal.

Welshpoolfan

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81863582#Comment_81863582

I don't see a problem there at all. Or anything of any relevance. Ofgem has made it clear that it is the responsibility of the supplier to provide accurate bills in a timely manner and not the consumer.

Welshpoolfan

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81863808#Comment_81863808

"The point really is though that the rules are not intended to encourage people to try and avoid payment long enough to have it time out after 12 months and to that end any DD payment is considered a payment towards energy billed or un-billed."

Yes, and the rules contain specific provision so that people who are obstructive or uncooperative so that a bill times out aren't protected.

Welshpoolfan

Just wanted to give an update on this.

Eon came back to me regarding my complaint about the back billing and agreed to refund the money that had been taken from my account.

As an aside, I had an email exchange with Ofgem where I queried whether back billing rules could be disregarded for payments taken by credit account and whilst they didn't directly answer the question, the did state:

"You can’t be charged for gas or electricity used more than 12 months ago if you have not been correctly billed for it, or informed about it via a statement of account, before. This includes situations where a supplier increases your Direct Debit because it was set too low. Suppliers cannot use this to recover any shortfall for a period longer than 12 months ago."

MWT

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81871619#Comment_81871619

The comment from Ofgem doesn't really help as it just references not using current payments to cover historic use, not historic payments being used to cover historic use…

chezzam_2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81871619#Comment_81871619

@Welshpoolfan

Someone has sent me the link to your thread as I am having similar issues.

Although, in our case Octopus have refused to refund the backbillng and "bill shock" and the Ombudsman seems to be allowing the loophole to be exploited by savvy suppliers. It took us about 60 hours of our time, to find the error as Octopus did not highlight the specifics of their mistake that they had made, which was not using the customer meter read for the opening read. Its amazing how Octopus discovered they had made a mistake, just when I had enough credit built up, which I had built up to cover my winter usage. Now they have subsequently increased my direct debit as I don't have enough credit to cover my ongoing bills.

Heres my thread.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81877912#Comment_81877912

MWT

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81877923#Comment_81877923

As per all the comments you've already had in that thread, the Ombudsman's verdict is consistent with the vast majority of their previous decisions, the supplier is allowed to use existing credit on your account.

and the Ombudsman seems to be allowing the loophole to be exploited by savvy suppliers.

It is not a 'loophole' and this is certainly not something the suppliers are 'exploiting', that would require a level of planning way beyond their capability given the millions of accounts they are managing.