Has a gas co. got the right to withhold my credit

mister_bojangles

Southern Electric has just sent me a 6-monthly statement for gas. I pay by fixed direct debit. I have a credit amount which will cover another 8 months of the fixed direct debit, but Southern Electric said that they are holding on to the credit for future payments, even though I still pay the monthly fixed sum. Do they have a right to do that? If I stop the direct debits (as I am in credit with Southern Electric), will my bank charge me or will I be breaking direct debit laws?

I am planning to switch providers very soon and fear that Southern Electric will have reasons to delay any refunds. Can I request my credit?

dori2o

mister_bojangles wrote: »

Southern Electric has just sent me a 6-monthly statement for gas. I pay by fixed direct debit. I have a credit amount which will cover another 8 months of the fixed direct debit, but Southern Electric said that they are holding on to the credit for future payments, even though I still pay the monthly fixed sum. Do they have a right to do that? If I stop the direct debits (as I am in credit with Southern Electric), will my bank charge me or will I be breaking direct debit laws?

I am planning to switch providers very soon and fear that Southern Electric will have reasons to delay any refunds. Can I request my credit?

Just phone them and ask for the credit. They should then either issue a cheque to you or send the money directly to your bank.

lainz

I ran up credit of £145 with Southern Electric last year as my direct debits were too high. I rang them and asked them to send me £100 which they credited to my bank within a few days, and we dropped my direct debits down, so I'm about right now, although they'll probably go up as it's winter and I've used a bit more 'leccy!

They'll obviously try to keep it ('cos they're earning interest) but I had no problem with them sending me it!

mister_bojangles

Many thanks Iainz and dori2o. Yesterday, I also sent them an email requesting the credit. If I don't receive feedback after two days (like they promised), I'll be on the phone to them.

PS: Just for a tease, could I ask for interest on my credit, eh? ha.

moonrakerz

My son had this with S Electric, one quick 'phone call and they refunded the credit and reduced the monthly payments: very helpful, no problems !