Powergen's appalling attitude

[JunkiMunki]

I have had my electricity supplied by "Powergen" for as long as I can remember, and paid for the usage through a prepayment meter, which were changed to the card meters following the expiry of coin meters. The account is in the name of my husband but I am the person who deals with all the household bills, I have most statements from October 2004, which have details from the last bill stated upon it.

I have already contacted them regarding the amount of arrears I had accrued even though I was on a card prepayment meter, I have a 3 bedroomed semi detached property, and the only electricity usage comes from automatic washer , tumble dryer, electric kettle , oven and hob, and lighting ,tv's etc,the statement dated 15/10/2004 stated a balance of £5.83p in credit, the information stated upon this bill was as follows for daytime usage I had 2 readings which automatically shows an increase in prices [1] charge amount of £45.02 @ 6.35p per kwh and a charge of £4.77p @ a cost of 2.62p per kwh for economy 7 night tarriff, and the [2] reading of £47.38 @ 7.38 per kwh and £4.30 @2.62 per kwh added to this was a prepayment surcharge of 92p and a standing charge of £9.75p, when added this gave an electricity total £112.14 with vat of £5.61p added toal bill was £117.75 with £2.58 credit from previous bill and £121.00 in card payments being stated a total of £123.58p , after deducting the total of the bill the balance carried forward to next time was £5.83p a total of 81 days with an average of £35.00p per month being used and a total of 1351 kwh used for daily consumption and 346 kwh used for economy 7 night time use.

I received the next bill dated 14/01/2005 which stated the following information, once again I had 2 readings which meant another price increase [1] 1346 units @ 7.38p per kwh and a total charge of £99.43p daytime usage and 323 units @ 2.62p per kwh @ a charge of £8.46p reading [2] 1288 units @ an increased price of 8.04p per kwh with a charge of £103.56p and 309 units @ 2.85p per kwh a total of £8.81 and a standing charge of £7.69p being added to the total give a total charge of £227.85 and £11.39p vat giving a total of £239.24p this bill was for a total of 91 days, this was 10 days longer than the previous bill but had an increase of 1283 units for the daily consumption and an increase of 286 units for night time , a total amount of £197.00 being paid by card plus the credit from previous bill meant a total payment of £202.83 being paid in 91 days , according to the figures I had actually doubled the units used this quarter compared with last quarter and yet was only 10 days more and my average monthly payment had gone to £75.00p double the amount compared to previous this actually left me £36.41p in debt, carried forward to next bill.

the next statement came and was from 14/01/2005 upto and including 23/04/2005 a total of 99 days which was 8days more than last quarter but although there had not been an increase this quarter my bill was £75 more on the day units and £10 increase on night units an increase of nearly £100 for 8days total charge was £326.76 + £36.41 from previous , a total amouint of £363.17p compared against previous total of £233.41 an increase of £129.76p, I had also increased my payments to £256.00 an increase of £60 or £15.00p per month but new balance showing of £107.17p in debt.

the next bill dated 22/07/2005 came and stated 1946 units used no price increase so a total of £156.46p for day consumption and 439 night units at a charge of £12.51p for night usage a total charge of £184.95p inclusive of vat this bill covered a period of 90 days with payments of £185.00p made during the 90days, after deducting the payments from the account I was left with a balance of £107.12p in debt .

I received the next bill dated 15/10/2005 this shows another price increase so have 2 readings as follows [1] 1385 day units @8.04 p per kwh and 295 night units at 2.85p per kwh, reading [2] 1489 day units used at new rate of 8.62p per kwh and 317 night units @3.14p per kwh this gave a total of 2874 day units and 612 night units, the previous bill stated for a period of 90 days at 1946 day units and 439 night units being used, nearly 1000 more units in 85 days which is 5 days less than the previous period, and an increase in total charge of nearly £100.

A total charge previously of £184.95 and payments of £185 during previous period with 90 days quoted as compared with£277.74p and payments of £164.00p being paid within the period of 85 days , and a difference in units being 1946 day units previous to 2874 day units and 612 night units this period with this period being reduced by 5 days.
My statement as at 15th October 2005 was now showing a new balance of £220.86p in debt , as my arrears were increasing dramatically I contacted powergen regarding this as I naturally assumed that I was paying asd I used my electric so was confused as to how my arrears had accrued since October 2004 - October 2005 had gone from £5.83p in credit to £220.86 in arrears despite paying a total amount of £925 for the year .

I was told that the reason for the arrears was because the price increases from October 2004 and that my meter had not been callibrated accordingly, I had learnt that this was a major problem for the prepayment customers as nearly all prepayment customers were in arrears over £100 and above because their meters had not been calibrated, I then received a bill dated 18/01/2006 which stated a new balance of £251.94 in debtand that for a 55 day period I was charged a total amount of £170.53 inclusive of vat plus the arrears of £244.41 minus the payments of £163.00 which I had paid from 24/11/2005 up to 10/01/2006 this gave me an even bigger balance of £251.94 in debt.

The next bill dated 6/04/2006 stated another price increase with 2 readings but although during the period covered of 79 days I had paid a total of £250.00 which even after deducting from my account still left me £217.80 in arrears I had a bill sent to me dated 13/07/2006 which stated an arrears balance of £252.46, this was stupid as I was putting a lot more through my meter but getting further behind. I was livid and once again contacted powergen who after I had told them that I had contacted energywatch over the accruing arrears , and after I stated that it was their own negligence that had got me into this position so therefore they could pay the outstanding arrears, or I would let energywatch takeover.

I received a letter dated 3rd August 2006 from powergen stating as a gesture of goodwill the outstanding balance of £252.46 had been withdrawn, I requested they sent me a letter to confirm this which I am in possession of.

This meant that as of the 13th july 2006 there was no outstanding balance on the account, this was the last statement I received from powergen until i received aletter dated 13/03/2007 stating that I was down to have a meter change on the 16/03/2007by the energy services E-on this was completed and a new key meter installed I was left with no receipt or readings from my old meter, and was not contacted at all by powergen until I received a letter dated 5/06/2007 that stated an arrears balance of £271.30p and that it was going to be collected through the meter at £5..00 per weekit also stated that my meter was now set at the correct tariff.

This meant that from 13th July 2006 after all outstanding amounts withdrawn, and despite payments on my card of £65+ per month AND A METER CHANGE WITH no details being left or noted I was informed by letter on 5/06/2007 I was in arrears again to a total of £271.30. I had not had any statements or contact since the letter withdrawing all charges in Aug 2006, and no notification of payments made between theses dates either. I decided to change suppliers because of the continuing mistakes and devious ways of powergen a final statement dated 10/09/2007 states I am £191.90 in arrrears , I contacted powergen regarding this amount but on 30/11/2007 got a letter stating that this debt had gone to debt collection agency and may result in a ccj against me I have been with british gas for my electric since august 25th 2007, but am still crediting my powergen key with payments as the gas board have not contacted me with an alternative payment method I have kept all receipts up to present time with the receipts showing as powergen but have still received debt letters from a company called UDS who who have stated in their letter that i myself consider this bill is not a priority to me so they are contemplating court action, well I bet this is a bill that gets wiped in full as I am ready for any challenge they want to make and will be asking for an award of compensation will keep you posted.
junkimunki

[tiglet]

have you contacted energywatch about this?

[Carriep]

Hi,

I work for a BBC1 consumer affairs programme called "Don't Get Done, Get Dom", in which presenter Dominic Littlewood attempts to resolve issues that have arisen between consumers and companies.

Having read your story, we would be extremely keen to hear from you to see if there is anything we might be able to do to help.

If you would like to talk to us, please get in touch at:

dom@flametv.co.uk
02072785052

Thanks very much,

Robert Gershinson
Don’t Get Done, Get Dom (BBC1)

[tr03bor]

Originally Posted by JunkiMunki

I have had my electricity supplied by "Powergen" for as long as I can remember, and paid for the usage through a prepayment meter, which were changed to the card meters following the expiry of coin meters. The account is in the name of my husband but I am the person who deals with all the household bills, I have most statements from October 2004, which have details from the last bill stated upon it.

I have already contacted them regarding the amount of arrears I had accrued even though I was on a card prepayment meter, I have a 3 bedroomed semi detached property, and the only electricity usage comes from automatic washer , tumble dryer, electric kettle , oven and hob, and lighting ,tv's etc,the statement dated 15/10/2004 stated a balance of £5.83p in credit, the information stated upon this bill was as follows for daytime usage I had 2 readings which automatically shows an increase in prices [1] charge amount of £45.02 @ 6.35p per kwh and a charge of £4.77p @ a cost of 2.62p per kwh for economy 7 night tarriff, and the [2] reading of £47.38 @ 7.38 per kwh and £4.30 @2.62 per kwh added to this was a prepayment surcharge of 92p and a standing charge of £9.75p, when added this gave an electricity total £112.14 with vat of £5.61p added toal bill was £117.75 with £2.58 credit from previous bill and £121.00 in card payments being stated a total of £123.58p , after deducting the total of the bill the balance carried forward to next time was £5.83p a total of 81 days with an average of £35.00p per month being used and a total of 1351 kwh used for daily consumption and 346 kwh used for economy 7 night time use.

I received the next bill dated 14/01/2005 which stated the following information, once again I had 2 readings which meant another price increase [1] 1346 units @ 7.38p per kwh and a total charge of £99.43p daytime usage and 323 units @ 2.62p per kwh @ a charge of £8.46p reading [2] 1288 units @ an increased price of 8.04p per kwh with a charge of £103.56p and 309 units @ 2.85p per kwh a total of £8.81 and a standing charge of £7.69p being added to the total give a total charge of £227.85 and £11.39p vat giving a total of £239.24p this bill was for a total of 91 days, this was 10 days longer than the previous bill but had an increase of 1283 units for the daily consumption and an increase of 286 units for night time , a total amount of £197.00 being paid by card plus the credit from previous bill meant a total payment of £202.83 being paid in 91 days , according to the figures I had actually doubled the units used this quarter compared with last quarter and yet was only 10 days more and my average monthly payment had gone to £75.00p double the amount compared to previous this actually left me £36.41p in debt, carried forward to next bill.

the next statement came and was from 14/01/2005 upto and including 23/04/2005 a total of 99 days which was 8days more than last quarter but although there had not been an increase this quarter my bill was £75 more on the day units and £10 increase on night units an increase of nearly £100 for 8days total charge was £326.76 + £36.41 from previous , a total amouint of £363.17p compared against previous total of £233.41 an increase of £129.76p, I had also increased my payments to £256.00 an increase of £60 or £15.00p per month but new balance showing of £107.17p in debt.

the next bill dated 22/07/2005 came and stated 1946 units used no price increase so a total of £156.46p for day consumption and 439 night units at a charge of £12.51p for night usage a total charge of £184.95p inclusive of vat this bill covered a period of 90 days with payments of £185.00p made during the 90days, after deducting the payments from the account I was left with a balance of £107.12p in debt .

I received the next bill dated 15/10/2005 this shows another price increase so have 2 readings as follows [1] 1385 day units @8.04 p per kwh and 295 night units at 2.85p per kwh, reading [2] 1489 day units used at new rate of 8.62p per kwh and 317 night units @3.14p per kwh this gave a total of 2874 day units and 612 night units, the previous bill stated for a period of 90 days at 1946 day units and 439 night units being used, nearly 1000 more units in 85 days which is 5 days less than the previous period, and an increase in total charge of nearly £100.

A total charge previously of £184.95 and payments of £185 during previous period with 90 days quoted as compared with£277.74p and payments of £164.00p being paid within the period of 85 days , and a difference in units being 1946 day units previous to 2874 day units and 612 night units this period with this period being reduced by 5 days.
My statement as at 15th October 2005 was now showing a new balance of £220.86p in debt , as my arrears were increasing dramatically I contacted powergen regarding this as I naturally assumed that I was paying asd I used my electric so was confused as to how my arrears had accrued since October 2004 - October 2005 had gone from £5.83p in credit to £220.86 in arrears despite paying a total amount of £925 for the year .

I was told that the reason for the arrears was because the price increases from October 2004 and that my meter had not been callibrated accordingly, I had learnt that this was a major problem for the prepayment customers as nearly all prepayment customers were in arrears over £100 and above because their meters had not been calibrated, I then received a bill dated 18/01/2006 which stated a new balance of £251.94 in debtand that for a 55 day period I was charged a total amount of £170.53 inclusive of vat plus the arrears of £244.41 minus the payments of £163.00 which I had paid from 24/11/2005 up to 10/01/2006 this gave me an even bigger balance of £251.94 in debt.

The next bill dated 6/04/2006 stated another price increase with 2 readings but although during the period covered of 79 days I had paid a total of £250.00 which even after deducting from my account still left me £217.80 in arrears I had a bill sent to me dated 13/07/2006 which stated an arrears balance of £252.46, this was stupid as I was putting a lot more through my meter but getting further behind. I was livid and once again contacted powergen who after I had told them that I had contacted energywatch over the accruing arrears , and after I stated that it was their own negligence that had got me into this position so therefore they could pay the outstanding arrears, or I would let energywatch takeover.

I received a letter dated 3rd August 2006 from powergen stating as a gesture of goodwill the outstanding balance of £252.46 had been withdrawn, I requested they sent me a letter to confirm this which I am in possession of.

This meant that as of the 13th july 2006 there was no outstanding balance on the account, this was the last statement I received from powergen until i received aletter dated 13/03/2007 stating that I was down to have a meter change on the 16/03/2007by the energy services E-on this was completed and a new key meter installed I was left with no receipt or readings from my old meter, and was not contacted at all by powergen until I received a letter dated 5/06/2007 that stated an arrears balance of £271.30p and that it was going to be collected through the meter at £5..00 per weekit also stated that my meter was now set at the correct tariff.

This meant that from 13th July 2006 after all outstanding amounts withdrawn, and despite payments on my card of £65+ per month AND A METER CHANGE WITH no details being left or noted I was informed by letter on 5/06/2007 I was in arrears again to a total of £271.30. I had not had any statements or contact since the letter withdrawing all charges in Aug 2006, and no notification of payments made between theses dates either. I decided to change suppliers because of the continuing mistakes and devious ways of powergen a final statement dated 10/09/2007 states I am £191.90 in arrrears , I contacted powergen regarding this amount but on 30/11/2007 got a letter stating that this debt had gone to debt collection agency and may result in a ccj against me I have been with british gas for my electric since august 25th 2007, but am still crediting my powergen key with payments as the gas board have not contacted me with an alternative payment method I have kept all receipts up to present time with the receipts showing as powergen but have still received debt letters from a company called UDS who who have stated in their letter that i myself consider this bill is not a priority to me so they are contemplating court action, well I bet this is a bill that gets wiped in full as I am ready for any challenge they want to make and will be asking for an award of compensation will keep you posted.
junkimunki

Call Powergens/EON Complaints team on 0800 096 1156, they should help you, thats what they are thier for.