British Gas direct debit alert

bodorange

A few days ago I checked the direct debits on my bank account. There were two active DDs for British Gas. One last drawn back in October 2025 (matching my previous BG tariff exited in October 25) and the second, debited only this month and inline with my current Collective Nov26 BG tariff.

So, I deleted the first, thinking it some administrative leftover. A few days later I get an email from BG telling me my tariff is being increased because I had cancelled my DD. I am certain I removed the correct DD.

I'm guessing this email was triggered by seeing a DD deletion from me regardless of the fact it's no longer associated with my current energy billing. Will this still result in my tariff being penalised for being non-DD? My online account indicates no issues, tariff rates are the same and the DD payment method appears to be intact.

I didn't want to assume a common sense outcome as I know that's rarely the case with BG.

QrizB

Best to contact BG and ask, I think.

bodorange

I don't think i have the patience any more to engage with them.

The email implies the tariff penalty for non DD payments has been applied to the account.

We’ve noticed your Direct Debit has been cancelled so we’ve changed the way you pay for your energy. This means you no longer qualify for the Direct Debit discount and the price you pay for your energy has increased. The bills we send to you will need to be paid in full using a debit or credit card within 14 days. You can view your new prices by logging into your online account.

But tariff rates remain as they were.

born_again

Vote with your feet & switch away then.

bodorange

Yes, that is the plan! In the meantime I'd wondered if anyone had experienced similar. Seems not.

debitcardmayhem

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82129308#Comment_82129308

You only posted an hour and half ago, you really expect people to be waiting to say oh yes I had similar, not everyone comes on here as soon as they wake up. However I would move anyhow, but it seems CS is getting worse everywhere.

Swipe

But tariff rates remain as they were.

They might not be on your next bill though. You need to contact them and get them to confirm that.

bodorange

Agreed. I do not wish to appear impatient but I was hoping responses, if any, might be constructive. I have to wait until October to switch without penalty. BG CS is ****. I used to think it was incompetence but now think it's policy. For the risk of a 6% higher summer bill I might just skip the interaction with their CS. But then again, there's the possibility they will balls up a switch their end too. Come to think of it, switching away from DD for the final 2 months may be a win as they won't be holding any of my cash come switch time and I will pay the balance owing.

bodorange

I took a couple of valium and commenced a webchat. Outcome - I can ignore the email.

RelievedSheff

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82129368#Comment_82129368

Keep that correspondence somewhere safe. You will need it later on when they bill you incorrectly and you have to fight them to put it right!

bodorange

@RelievedSheff

Saved and backed up in triplicate!