EDF have more than doubled our direct debit - fuming!!

[Crimebusterofthesea]

Checked online banking today and EDF have taken out a DD which is more than double what it usually is. We have received nothing in writing and I'm obviously going to give them a ring. I don't want to be fobbed off, so does anyone have any experience of what they are likely to say and what I should then say in order to get this sorted? It's made me so angry. I know we have probably used more electric over the winter months, but more than double? I don't think so!

Yes they will say sorry but won't refund it. It'll go on your account as credit. This is why I never pay by direct debit. I always take a meter reading on the same day every month and pay what I owe.

They are dirty thieving robbing bastards!!!

If you've had no notification of an increase in your DD payments, no statement of account, no bills either paper or online, and no notification of a change in tariff, then you have every right to complain bitterly. How, for example, do you know that the new payment has been calculated correctly if you haven't had chance to see the latest meter-reading it has been worked out with? Do you know which tariff you're on? Do you have an online account with them? Have you submitted meter readings? Can you print out your latest bill?

I've just spoken to them and had a right go! I submitted meter readings and they said that the last reading they took in January indicates that we are using more than we are paying for. I need to do some maths as I really don't think they are right. I thought that maybe the hike in the DD this month may have been a one-off to account for winter, but apparently not! It is so complicated, I dread to think of the elderly/infirm/vulnerable that are being subjected to this sort of thing all of the time who are none the wiser and are being fleeced. Grrr.

Has some sort of deal you were on expired? Shop around. There's no point in consumer loyalty these days, all the best deals go to new customers. Just switch supplier.

Are you registered with them online and can you download the last bill? That usually contains all the details of your usage, tariff and calculation of Direct Debit. Do you have that?

My water company did that. They upped my Direct debit from £50 a month to £100. It put me into the red because they didn't let me know.

Yeah I do Cogito - just trying to get my head round it all, it's huge! Can't believe they can just do this without writing first. Definitely going to shop around, I can't stand bad customer service. They don't deserve my money.

The bill usually contains a statement showing your usage, your projected usage and the new DD amount. They have therefore notified you of the increase.

Have you checked that the meter reading on the last bill is correct? Have you also checked that you are on the lowest price tariff? Quite often when fixed deal tariffs come to an end the utility company will put you on their standard tariff as default. Sometimes you can avoid having to switch supplier but can get yourself put on a new (cheaper) fixed deal.