We were with Eon for Electricity Supply but about three months ago changed to Southern Electric. We have always had a prepayment meter but today received a final bill from Eon for £308 - my question is "how can you owe for electrictiy when you pre pay for it"?

Tried phoning them but just held in a line and never answered

They had system problems today so probably why you were held in a queue for what seemed like forever. You can get into debt with them through no fault of your own, just where they didnt recalibrate the meter when the prices increased. Call them again tomorrow and get them to justify it, which i doubt they can.

What does it say on the bill?

Did you not have online billing with them ?

I would put something in writing or email them from their CS link on their website,giving them your contact number.I have always found them to respond pretty quickly-usually within 48 hours.

Will save their collection div sending you hassling letters (ECS)

Keep us posted.

There are essentially 2 'common' reasons why a balance could build up on a prepayment meter.

a) You use your emergency credit button. Many people dont realise that when using emergency credit the meter cannot collect a standing charge, the suppliers know how much standing charge is due and will bill you for the difference on a closing or interim statement.

or

b) You have a token meter, token meter's are supposed to have been recalibrated when price rises were implemented - logistically this was a nightmare as many meter's were not accessible at the time of repeated engineer visits etc. This issue has been taken to the ombudsman and they have a specific policy concerning the back-billing of these charges I will edit with the correct figures when i get my hands on them but i seem to remember up to £90.

Please note that if you have a token meter currently it will(should) be replaced with a key/card meter on it's next recertification or any exchange.

C.B.A

C.B.A - we rarely go into the emergency credit as we put £50 per time into the meter - if we do go into emergency its for less than a day every time.

We have never had a token meter - always a key meter.

C.B.A - we rarely go into the emergency credit as we put £50 per time into the meter - if we do go into emergency its for less than a day every time.

 

We have never had a token meter - always a key meter.

There arent many other possibilities that dont become impossible to determine without checking the details held on the pre-payment system.

Another possibility might be a debt that was 'loaded' onto the prepayment meter from a prior or previous credit account that was to be cleared as part of the prepayment scheme - that the meter hadnt been set to collect - that would remain unpaid and payable when the account was closed.

I've just listed posibilites that i'm aware of and could be easily identified, unfortunately pre-payment accounts building up 'debt' can usually be easily identified with the relevant systems. Without those systems it's not really possible for me to give anymore information.

Have you spoken to your provider about querying this bill ? if so what was their explanation or justification for the charges being over and above what you 'pre-paid' for ?

I might be able to translate any gibberish you get from the 'darkside'.

The actual problem could be that when you were with E.On they had you down as being on a credit meter but you were actually on a pay as you go meter, first of all contact them and ask what meter details they have.

From there i would also ask what balance is on the account and where it came from becuase if it is a pay as you go meter you may well have somebodys else's debt on your hands which should be rightfully removed if so, either way get in touch with them asap and ask about the meter they have you down as first!

There are essentially 2 'common' reasons why a balance could build up on a prepayment meter.

 

a) You use your emergency credit button. Many people dont realise that when using emergency credit the meter cannot collect a standing charge, the suppliers know how much standing charge is due and will bill you for the difference on a closing or interim statement.

 

or

 

b) You have a token meter, token meter's are supposed to have been recalibrated when price rises were implemented - logistically this was a nightmare as many meter's were not accessible at the time of repeated engineer visits etc. This issue has been taken to the ombudsman and they have a specific policy concerning the back-billing of these charges I will edit with the correct figures when i get my hands on them but i seem to remember up to £90.

 

Please note that if you have a token meter currently it will(should) be replaced with a key/card meter on it's next recertification or any exchange.

 

C.B.A

Hi there, Ive dealt with this query regarding token recalibration billing and the amount is £70.00.