BRITISH GAS I AM GETTING FREE ELECTRIC

[SPSontherun]

And you don’t seem to care

AIBU to stop trying to get British Gas to do something about it ?

Power cut three weeks ago for around 13 hrs. When it came back on my pre-payment meter was dead. No display, no nothing. But full power to the house. I’ve pressed the button - still nothing. When it died I had about £10 credit. For the last 3 weeks I’ve not topped up and the power is fine.

Ive googled - apparently it’s a well known issue which can occur after a power cut. It’s called “free mode” whereby the meter has died and can’t be topped up but your power doesn’t go off.

So being the honest citizen I am I told BG. Five phone calls later I am nowhere near solving the issue.

They tell me to call Network Power. They told me it’s not their issue.

They told me it isn’t possible to have a dead meter and still have power. Well I have power and a dead meter

They asked me if there was a flashing red light. No it’s dead. They said that’s not possible either

I’ve wasted about 3 hrs on the phone to them. They don’t seem even vaguely bothered I’m getting free electric.

Someone on Reddit had the same issue and didn’t pay for theirs for EIGHT YEARS

Ive asked for written confirmation of the calls.

So AUBU to just leave it there and take the free power?

Welcome to free electricity! Log your efforts carefully and out at least one notification of the issue in writing in case they come knocking in 5 years for arrears but you can only do so much!

I don't see what else you can do. I think it's a good idea to get written confirmation of the calls. Could you put the money aside in case they try and collect it at a later date? It feels like they shouldn't be able to but it wouldn't surprise me if they can.
Only other thing I can suggest is contacting ofgem or citizens advice to make sure you've done all you can?

Only deal with them by email, not by phone, or Mumsnet! Keep a record and don't waste anymore time ringing them, they may not keep their calls for long or may not even record them (even if you're had a warning that they might for training purposes).

Send a few emails and on the last one say, I have done everything I can to make you aware of this. I take no responsibility for this going forward and don't expect to get a massive bill two years down the line.

Also mention the dates/times and name of people you spoke to in the first email

Look for UK Power Networks
then provider for your area use your postcode
They may offer you some advice

If it was me I’d log your efforts and then give up. But I’d put away the amount you usually spend in a savings account in case you have to repay. At least you’d then get the interest (and also don’t get used to the additional disposable income).

If they ever figure it out, they can only back bill you for one years worth of electricity. I had a similar issue with a new build and no one would admit to supplying my electricity. Many calls and emails later I gave up. The network had told me the supplier, but they were adamant it was not them. Confirmed in writing and quite useful when they realised after 5 years

Send emails to have a paper trail.

I had read you only have to pay 12 months arrears even if it goes on for years

Before when I havent topped up for a while they have written to me to check I’m ok (presumably some safe guard against people lying dead in their homes for years)

Maybe they’ll notice I haven’t topped up and get in contact 🤷‍♀️

I’ve already spoken to them

They said it’s nothing to do with them, whilst admitting it does happen after a power outage it remains the issue of the supplier to sort a new meter (essentially mine is dead and needs replacing). It happens to prevent an issue when there is a power surge

Agree with past posters. Something in writing and try to put you usual spend away for if/when they wake up.

Not many benefits of having a pre-payment meter so make the best of it and hope they don't wake up for a while. 🤞🏼

Stick the money you would normally be spending into a savings account, and don't be tempted to touch it. At some point they will come looking for it, and if you can earn a bit of interest in the meantime, then great.
If it goes on long enough, as you've said, there is a limitation on how much they can ask for back. But keep it safe, and don't spend it.

I had the same issue in about 2021, gas prepay stopped working, I was told repeatedly to reboot it and wait & it would come on. It never did and eventually they sent an engineer out who said it needs replacing and not to worry as the gas wont cut off. I called BG & also used webchat, I advised I couldn't see the balance so was topping up blindly, could they get this replaced asap as per the engineers advice. I could not get them to understand that the meter was dead - they kept going over & over the steps to reboot it. I gave up and stopped topping up in the hope that this would alert them and get them to do something. But nothing happened & the gas stayed on, its been 4 years. I'm banking on the 12 month rule if they ever catch on. 🙏

I begged them to fix my gas smart meter for months. Never asked to pay back. Had free gas from April to the following February. Wish I hadn’t begged so much now!

This happened to my friend a few years ago when she moved house. They got free gas for a year.

I wouldn't bother continuing to phone them, but it may be worth dropping them an email every month or two just so you have a written evidence that you have continued to make them aware of the issue.

Relax and enjoy your free electric. You are not stealing it. You have notified them. If they are not bothered, why are you bothered?

I agree, get shit in writing.

I'd still save what you would be paying though just in case.

I'd send an email confirming that you have done all you can and are waiting for them to get in touch now to resolve the issue. And then do nothing.

My parents got free gas through British gas for years and years, they connected them up and forget to ever send them a bill. Eventually they got a letter realising their mistake, they backdated the payments (a bit!) and my parents started paying at that point. as others have said, they can't send you a whacking big bill in the future.

By law the entry company can only navigate your outstanding bill for one calendar year from when they remedy the fault. I know this as the same thing happened to me and my meter was under the states in a tiny crawl space. I emailed them and caused them and told them they knew I was in a wheelchair and I couldn’t access the meter and I wasn’t topping up yet had power. Took them for years to remedy it and I said I had proof of all my attempts at communication via email, phone and post. They charged me £2753 for an estimated years gas.