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Original poster

Energy company increasing direct debit without warning

30 replies

Boleynforsoup · 16/01/2023 22:56

When the price hikes came into force again in October they tried to increase my direct debit by over £100 even though I was in credit by several hundred pounds. I phoned them and said I wasn't agreeing to it, set up a sufficient amount as a direct debit.

I've just checked my back and they have nearly tripled my direct debit charge for this month with no prior warning.... we now have nothing to live off for the next 8 days.... can they do this without any written warning?

They have no actual usage to base this on as I haven't had the time to send meter readings for a few months as it's pitch black by the time I get in so can't see to get the gas reading but we've barely been using it as I'm so worried about the cost.

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 17/01/2023 00:01

Ask for a refund under the Direct Debit guarantee.

AlmostAJillSandwich · 17/01/2023 00:15

Use the torch on your smartphone, or take a picture of the meter with flash on, is how i read mine to send readings.

The energy company are much more likely to over estimate your usage than under estimate, especially if they are estimating based on a previous years actual meter read usage.

Once you've given an actual rather than estimated reading, you should be able to set your DD accordingly.

NewBootsAndRanty · 17/01/2023 00:19

Is the new DD amount not on a recent bill or anything (even if it's estimated)?

AnotherDelphinium · 17/01/2023 02:13

MrsMoastyToasty · 17/01/2023 00:01

Ask for a refund under the Direct Debit guarantee.

This. Call your bank and quote the DD guarantee.

With a direct debit they MUST inform you before increasing it, and have failed to do so.

sashh · 17/01/2023 03:21

Yes they can, that's why I pay hardly anything by DD.

Cancel it and set up a standing order.

dolor · 17/01/2023 03:26

I pay my bills manually by card, or standing order. Direct debits can change at any time.

StarInTheHeavens · 17/01/2023 03:28

Why not prioritise sending in actual meter readings? You can read your meters easily with the torch on your phone.

Andypandy799 · 17/01/2023 04:36

@Boleynforsoup like others have said ring your bank and tell them what’s happened and quote the dd guarantee. Money will be back in your account straight away after you have spoke to them so problem solved

thislittlelightomine · 17/01/2023 05:13

haven't had the time to send meter readings for a few months as it's pitch black by the time I get in so can't see to get the gas reading

7 days a week?

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 17/01/2023 06:16

They have to give you notice, are you sure it isn’t on your last bill?
If it isn’t then do as the others have said and get it refunded under the DD guarantee scheme. It has to be refunded.

Once you have the refund change to monthly variable direct debit .

wtqkapdj · 17/01/2023 06:23

Submit a meter reading - sounds like excuses why you haven't to be honest. As PP said you're not working 7 days a week for months. Also - a torch 🤷‍♀️
If you have hardly used anything this will be reflected in your bill and therefore your DD should go down, maybe even lower than it was before. At the moment all they can do is guess your usage is quite high - which most people's is at this time of year, because you haven't told them otherwise.

greenacrylicpaint · 17/01/2023 06:25

if you don't send readings they will base the dd amount on averages over the year divided by 12 (small overpayment over summer to even out underpayments in winter).

you really need to send out meter readings each month to get the most acurate direct debit amount.

(we also do the photo with flash thing as the meters are in a hard to access nook under the stairs, great for keeping proof)

littlelid · 17/01/2023 06:33

Send them a meter reading (take a photo of it)

littlelid · 17/01/2023 06:34

As soon as they have your actual meter reading it will be so much easier

Aposterhasnoname · 17/01/2023 06:37

After you’ve done what PPs suggest, then get a smart meter. Problem solved forever.

TimeForMeToF1y · 17/01/2023 06:41

Arw you sure you were in credit October, if you haven't read the meter for a few months was that before then?

We all need to be responsible for taking readings, your reason for not doing so is daft and will have played a part

How do they usually communicate with you? Sending letters at the moment isn't a reliable way to make sure you get the proper notice

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 17/01/2023 06:46

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 17/01/2023 06:16

They have to give you notice, are you sure it isn’t on your last bill?
If it isn’t then do as the others have said and get it refunded under the DD guarantee scheme. It has to be refunded.

Once you have the refund change to monthly variable direct debit .

Ignore me!
I didn’t read to the end of the post.

Athenen0ctua · 17/01/2023 07:27

It's easy to read a meter with a torch (if you work 7 days a week)

Xrays · 17/01/2023 07:29

You really need to send meter readings. If you really can’t do this arrange for smart meters to be fitted. Otherwise you’re going to get a huge shock when you get a bill and have no idea of what your actual costs are so don’t really have a leg to stand on when arguing with them about direct debit amounts.

HedgehogOBrian · 17/01/2023 07:36

Are you sure you haven’t had an email go to spam?

FurierTransform · 17/01/2023 09:09

Yeah they might have emailed you about an increase. That's all the notice I got. I'd be surprised if they didn't give notice as they are big companies and its all automated.

+1 to submitting a reading though

RudsyFarmer · 17/01/2023 09:12

They can change the amount which is why we won’t pay via direct debit. You absolutely can contact your bank about it though as I was behind a gentleman in the bank who was going exactly this a few months ago.

BMW6 · 17/01/2023 10:43

I don't understand why you haven't used a torch to read the meter ? Or do it at the weekend in daylight? Or before you go to work if daylight then?

Come on OP, it takes SECONDS to do so claiming you "haven't had time" and "pitch black" are, frankly, bloody stupid excuses. 🙄

Original poster
Boleynforsoup · 17/01/2023 12:41

To be honest there are numerous really shit things that have happened over the last few months which have taken up every waking moment (parent on end of life care, school refusing teen who is borderline suicidal, job hunt as my contract is coming to an end and as a single parent my income is the only household income). So, quite rightly, they have taken priority over reading my meter which hasn't even crossed my mind as I'm so consumed with everything else. I keep my usage as low as possible as I know I can't afford big bills.

My issue was they increased the direct debit by 3 times what I've been paying without any notice.

Anyway I've got the direct debit reversed and sent meter readings now.... and apparently I'm still in credit...

OP posts:
AccidentallyRunToWindsor · 17/01/2023 16:07

They have likely sent you an email or it will be on a small line on the last bill. Used to deal with endless customers who hadn't seen it on the comms and would get a nasty shock- I can't think of only a handful of cases where the company I worked for were actually at fault.

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