PLEASE HELP - Southern Electricity installed a prepay meter today!

[Smackbat]

I've just got off the phone to Southern Electric and I'm furious.

Today I received a call from my neighbour saying that EDF were requesting access to my house, I then received a call 30 minutes later saying a van has turned up and they are installing a new meter?!?!?

I called Southern Electric, and they told me a warrent had been issued. I shoulkd have received the visit in Dec and the letter last week informing me what was going on, I have never seen this.

Historically I have not paid the account becuase I was not receiving bills and then I'd receive a final demand. I called 4-5 times in June-Oct asking for a bill, each time I was told they will be issued. Two weeks later I'd receive a disconnection notice! Finally I was told that all bills were sent to an email address I hadn't used in a year. SO I asked them to send a bill, they did at last.

On paying the bill with my visa card it was declined because the fraud prevention at my bank kicked in as it was over £200. the bank lifted this but they still couldn't get authorisation for the payment. This happened on 6 occasions over 2-3 months despite having the money in my account.

I finally called them on Friday just gone and I asked how else I could pay, he said either by giro or Standing Order, so I sent the standing order though on the Saturday and wrote a letter advising my account was now paid up and payment should be in their account in 3 working days time.

I've checked and the money has left my account, however Southern have not received it yet. Despite me following the instructions I was given on Friday to the letter, I've had a pre payment meter installed and a charge of £150ish put on my account because of it.

Southern finally agreed to replace my meter once the £150 charge has been paid and the money is received in their account, I have asked for confirmation of this.

I am furious!!!!! I have received no warrant letters, I followed the instructions given on Friday to the letter and now I've been penalised!

PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME. What can I do to not pay this fee as I don't see it as my fault!

[tiglet]

Get in contact with Energy watch - 0845 0550760. they can't do anything immediately, but they can take it up on your behalf and get something sorted for you.

[tiglet]

in case you were wondering, i have just had the same thing happen to me by Npower