Is this 'back billing' (which is banned)

[LaurieFairyCake]

I switched energy companies 13 months ago and as far as I was concerned was all paid up

Suddenly they write to me with a completely incomprehensible bill saying I owe £700 plus quid

Does that back billing thing apply?

I'm getting nowhere with querying it, even more incomprehensible emails from someone with a very poor grasp of English who can't explain the bill.

Sorry, should have said they've not written to me AT ALL in the last year

They can't bill Amy charges over 12 months old. Phone and tell them so

Have you provided up to date meter readings or allowed the meter operator access to your property when requested?

They can back bill if you think you've obstructed accurate billing.

Never obstructed, gave my meter readings through Uswitch

Eons only email claimed that my new supplier didn't give them the final readings til May (when I gave them last October)

Sorry, only email yesterday - no contact from them in over a year

I take it I have to exhaust Eons complaint process before contacting the ombudsman?

Just call them (or email) and ask them to set out what they are charging you for, “given back billing rules”. They should just back down. I doubt you’ll need to go through complaints process or ombudsman.

Have you got your final bill? Can you check that and cross check it with the payment you made on internet banking or a bank statement. If final bill was sent and your paid the amount on the final bill then they have no leg to stand on

I switched from Eon a few years ago and they tried to charge me an extra £100 by changing the final metre reading. So my new supplier started charging from the reading I provided and Eon also tried charging me for the same units.
They had already taken the money and only refunded once I threatened to go to the ombudsman after being fobbed off by them.
I never received an apology or explanation, just a cheque in the post eventually.

I didn't keep the final bill from a year ago

That definitely sounds like back billing.
Did you have an online account with Eon? You may be able to still access previous bills and payments on there.
The uswitch website has good advice.

Do you still have access to your online account? Your final bill would be on that. Have you cancelled your direct debit? Make sure you have or they might just take the money.
Eon took over £500 from my account when I was switching. Took me months to get it back.
And yes you have to exhaust their complaints procedure before you can go to the ombudsman.
Their customer service is appalling.

Yep, think the direct debit was from DJ's account - it's not on there and of course all statements are online so I can't find last years as they only go back a few months

Interesting that they are trying to claim you used 275 in electricity in 8 days?! Total fuckwits. Hope you get it sorted sharpish