I wish I could join the 'Don't Pay' cause against the energy increase

[CantPay]

A group has formed with people pledging to cancel their direct debits from 1st October if a solution to the energy crisis isn't made.

Unfortunately I'm on a prepayment metre so can't get involved. I'm spreading the word as much as I can though and I'm protesting.

AIBU? Is anybody here planning on doing anything like this, and if not why?

There is a lit between nothing and not paying.

Like joining the enough is enough. Join local campaign, talk to your MP, join local groups.

The only people who get fucked by this not paying will be the ones participating, not the companies.

Nope because it would be stupid to fuck my credit rating when I have a mortgage

Are they unable to call their energy providers to explain that and come to an arrangement?

This group is weird. There is no transparency. No one seems to be in charge of it and for some unknown reason they need to collect peoples email addresses.

no thanks.

Yup. And I also believe some are goading people into it without any intention of participating themselves, just to see the fallout

I agree. Much like the OP tbh. This seems to be about encouraging others but of course, they're already in a situation where it won't affect them

If it were that easy there would be no need for all of this worry would there?

I can’t because I’m a Chartered Accountant and if I am deemed to be discrediting the profession (e.g. refusing to pay bills) or have financial drama such as CCJs from taking part in such a protest, I could be booted out from the institute and lose being able to refer to myself as one. I doubt my employer would be pleased with that.

Suppliers aren't allowed to disconnect you during the Winter if you're a pensioner, living alone or living with children under 18. As part of the Safety Net scheme by Energy UK, the six main energy suppliers in the UK have also agreed that you can't be disconnected at any time of year ‘for reasons of age, health, disability or severe financial insecurity.'

However, they can apply for a court order to force you to have a pre-payment meter which can be installed against your will.

If it were that easy there would be no need for all of this worry would there?

How would you know? You haven't tried. As another PP said

Speak to their energy supplier like a grown up. They are obliged to help you come to a solution. Not cancel their direct debit and post they've done it on Facebook for likes.

I genuinely can't see how this will help. The energy providers are making billions in profit so its not going to impact them much.

If people are struggling then not paying will make it worse. The energy companies aren't going to write the debt off. So people will end up even further in debt, power cut off & prepayment meters. Its going to make a bad situation even worse

I thought it wasnt that you just cancel your DD and dont pay..? You still pay the bill! engergy company will send a monthly/quarterly bill or whatever and you pay the bill either online, over phone, at bank etc. You still pay the bill? you are just not giving the energy companoes open access to your bank acc via DD.

a DD is an agreement between you, your bank and the energy company allowing them to take a payment.. DD amounts can change! (unlike a standing order) so if energy company says oh your DD is £800 this month and those funds are available in your account the bank will let the DD process..

Yup. And I also believe some are goading people into it without any intention of participating themselves, just to see the fallout

Pretty much this. Fine being a gobshite when it doesn’t affect you.

I can adjust my direct debit up and down online
I'm with Octopus and they have a fund set up to help customers who are struggling. They cant help if you don't tell them there's an issue