Switching utility tariffs for my parents

[PollyPerky]

I've been researching tariffs for my parents and want to help them switch to get some good savings.

At the moment the bills are in my dad's name but he's lost the mental capacity to deal with finances and he also has an illness that is going to shorten his life though we're not sure when. I want to put the new supplier in my mum's name but they don't have broadband. Is it ok - or is it 'fraud' to use my email in the application but give her details - address, DOB etc? Obviously I'd have to monitor the bills online for them.

I also want to set up a DD for monthly payments for them rather than them paying by cheque. They have a joint account. How would this work?

[dementedpixie]

Can her name be added to the other bills so she can deal with them if required? No I wouldn't think it is fraud to use your email address as all the other details would be in your mothers name and will be paid by her. You can ask the supplier for a direct debit mandate in order to get the payments made by direct debit. Or when you change the suppliers you give the bank details as part of the application so that a direct debit is set up. Depending on the type of account it only needs one of the signatories to set up the direct debit

[Orac]

I don't think that's a problem. I do that for my elderly mother. I have actually found most places quite helpful on the phone, if I explain the issue, then put mum on to give permission to speak to me.
Also worth asking them to do meter readings. Mum was getting requests to read the meter which meant me doing a 1 hour round trip. I explained her frail health and they agreed to do all readings for no fee. (Co op).