6 digit meter - Scottish Power

Neil A · 26th March 2007, 14:29

After 2 years of telling Scottish Power that I have a 6 digit meter (but them refusing to update their systems and automatically taking one digit off my meter reading every time), they have finally updated their systems and charged me a whopping £2,600 as a catch-up bill. I have no confidence that the charging rate they are applying for the 6 digit meter reading is correct - is it exactly the same as for a 5 digit meter?? Also, what support is it realistic to expect to meet the £2,600 bill??

ozzywizard · 26th March 2007, 15:58

It is the same but depends on how the reading is entered into the account on the change over. They can only issue a catchup bill going back 2 years and have to give you the same timescale to pay the bill on an arrangement for 2 years. Also should get a goodwill gesture reduction for their incorrect billing. I do suspect they have got the reads wrong though.

Neil A · 26th March 2007, 16:01

Thanks Ozzy

zander · 26th March 2007, 17:24

Excuse me for jumping in; Scottish Power failed for 6 years to supply me with a gas bill despite numerous efforts on my part and energywatch requesting a bill! Eventually got one, however I'm interested to read the remark about 2 years? They gave me a "goodwill" reduction but going back over 6 years. Can you clarify the 2 year scenario? Thanks.

ozzywizard · 26th March 2007, 18:02

Yes Zander, they can only backdate unbilled charges for 2 years. Its no wonder they gave you a goodwill gesture. It is not your fault you was not billed when this is their side of your contract to send you an up to date statement every 3 months of energy used.

Quote:

If the supplier is at fault, and the customer has not received a bill for more than two
years, then from 1st July 2006 any outstanding amounts that relate to energy consumed
more than two years ago will be cancelled. From July 2007, this will reduce to one year.

Code of Practice for Accurate Bills

zander · 26th March 2007, 21:20

Interesting, Ozzywizard. In my case, from 2000 until 2006 no bill was received. Does this code then mean that the energy used by me is null & void from 2000 to 2004? or 2004 to 2006? Where did you find the code of practice? Many Thanks.

ozzywizard · 27th March 2007, 10:53

They can only bill you for the last 2 years. 2000 - 2004 is not claimable. and 2004 - 2006 is only claimable at the price before any price increases unless you received a letter of notification that the prices were going up and only on actual readings so lets hope they have one from 2004. For further information you should be able to find the code on the energywatch website or phone your supplier and ask for a copy of the code to be sent to you.

zander · 27th March 2007, 20:16

Just to clarify; they can only send me a bill for the years 2004 - 2006?

ozzywizard · 28th March 2007, 12:53

Correct, but check what date you first received the bill because we are in 2007 now so example first notification came Jan 2007 they can only go back to Jan 2005. Each month counts. They have to also have a read for Jan 2005 to produce an accurate bill. Also unless you had a price increase letter they have to bill you on the prices of 2005 as in 2007 it is double what it is then.

zander · 29th March 2007, 01:01

I don't think I'll fit into the timescale as I eventually received a bill in May of 2006? However, they didn't take account of price increases (at least I don't think so) as no correspondence was ever received.

zander · 30th March 2007, 11:32

ozzywizard · 30th March 2007, 15:32

Then they have to bill you for the prices of 2005 . You received the bill before the 2 year rule came in but im sure you can still argue they have not stuck to the code of accurate billing.

zander · 10th April 2007, 12:02

I contacted scottish power having first communicated with energywatch. Energywatch quote statutes and limitations saying that sp could only back bill for 5 years and not 6 as well as offering for the debt to be paid back over the same period. SP replied to my letter saying they overcharged me by 6 months and have applied a deduction on the sum owed by £102.68. No mention of the 5 year rule or the offer of extended payback. How can they calculate the deduction and on what basis? They have ignored my statement re energy price increases within the 6 years. I'm still not satisfied and as they have passed this to their collection monkeys I'm extremely keen to get Energywatch involved on a more aggressive basis. Any thoughts?

ozzywizard · 11th April 2007, 19:07

Have you spoke to a manager at Scotish power, sounds like they are avoiding the issue. Maybe write them a letter and send a copy to energywatch.

zander · 12th April 2007, 00:30

Ta Ozzy. I've Subject Access Request'ed SP and energywatch are monitoring the situation.

ozzywizard · 12th April 2007, 11:34

Great, let us know when the Subject Access Request comes through.

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