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Smart meter pre payment cock up question

14 replies

IrishNinja · 13/04/2022 21:36

When we moved to our house there was a prepayment electric meter fitted. For one reason or the other we never got round to getting on a quarterly bill (mainly British Gas been nigh on impossible to get through to for this reason). So with the energy price rises we were naturally a bit worried about the cost. Gas is not an issue as we're on a fixed rate until the end of next year. To try and avoid a massive jump since 31st March I've been keeping a close eye on our electric spending. Somehow we're spending less! I have been more careful switching lights off and not leaving things on stand by but it doesn't make sense. I can't check our usage properly as BG haven't been able to provide this properly since Feb (conveniently). So I had a look at my meter and realised it still has the old tariff on it. My app shows the new one. I checked over night and am 99% sure I'm been charged the old standing charge. I contacted BG and told them as I don’t want to inadvertently run up a bill. But they said no you're on new tariff. Against my better judgement I argued with them. They checked again and said there's no problem. But experience tells me this particular team will say anything to get you off phone or live chat without actually resolving anything. So my question is if a prepayment meter is undercharging me and I've told them can they charge me later? Surely the whole point of prepay is so you can't run up a debt?

OP posts:
IrishNinja · 13/04/2022 21:40

Just to add I've googled the shit out of this and can't find an answer anywhere Confused

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 13/04/2022 21:47

We're you paying a debt off via the meter ? If you were and its been repaid , you'll now only be varied for ongoing usage.

MrsMoastyToasty · 13/04/2022 21:47

Varied= charged.

Sausagis · 13/04/2022 21:51

Have you topped up since the price change?

Wasn't there something about if you are in credit it won't go to the higher price until you top up?

IrishNinja · 13/04/2022 21:55

Nope, no debt. We just inherited the prepay from the previous occupier. She'd run up a debt. But we've never been charged for that (something that did happen to a friend). And we've always made sure to keep it at least a weeks worth in credit so there's no emergency debt that was been paid.

OP posts:
IrishNinja · 13/04/2022 21:56

I topped up on 31st but that was only the old style meters. Ours is a smart meter so should have updated straight away.

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whowhatwerewhy · 14/04/2022 15:47

Was this a call or live chat ?
If it was live chat did you keep the transcript?

IrishNinja · 14/04/2022 19:25

I did but also emailed them! No reply as yet but kept that. I topped up a bit last night to see if that made a difference. But it didn't. I feel like I've done everything I can to tell them. But I just have this niggling doubt even if it's there fuck up we'll be the ones paying later. So we're putting on what we think will be extra and hoping for the best!

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whowhatwerewhy · 14/04/2022 20:13

It might help your case if you keep the transcript, you have proof of what they said . I think your best putting extra on as a precaution.

IrishNinja · 14/04/2022 23:59

Yeah, worst case scenario is a big drop in my credit then I guess. Just weird that they won't listen. I had a similar situation when we used to get child tax credit. They dumped nearly £2000 in my partners account. Only told us it was a back payment when we called. The letter explaining it came two weeks later. We checked all the figures with them and they sent three letters confirming we were entitled to it. So like idiots we used it - they wouldn't take it back and we were really struggling. Then two years later they demanded it back the feckers. They admitted they messed up but that didn't matter. We decided to view that as shit happens, we called it an interest free loan. It got us through a tough period. But that's why I'm worried I guess. Even though I have proof I've told them I think it wouldn't matter.
Thanks for the replies Smile

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whowhatwerewhy · 15/04/2022 07:49

Many years ago I had the same with tax credits. They helped me over the phone with the figures for maternity pay . Had a letter years latter saying I owed them . I referred them back to the phone call ( we record theses calls for training bla bla ) explaining all the calculations,they wiped off my dept as it was there fault . Think I was very lucky.

IrishNinja · 15/04/2022 17:37

I think you were! Pretty sure they added something that said even if it's their mess up you're liable - my best friend had three grand handed to her. Just dumped in her account. She queried it. When they tried to claim it back she had letters proving their mistake. 12 years later I have my daughter and all the rules had changed. The dangers of waiting to have a kid and having her under a Tory government!

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whowhatwerewhy · 15/04/2022 19:08

I think your doing the right thing in keep overpaying. It does sound like the app has updated but the smart meter hasn't. I would keep all corespondents you have . You can at least prove you tried to do everything correctly.
Good luck 🤞

AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii · 15/04/2022 19:18

Mine is the same OP but my smart pre
Payment meter is for both gas and electric. Gas tariff has changed but electric hasn’t and I have also queried this to be told the same as you so am just leaving them to it, I continue topping up and paying for what I use so it’s their mistake at the end of the day

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