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    • Hi I was being supplied my ovo after unknowingly being swapped from SSE.  My issues began when we had a smart meter fitted and our bills almost doubled overnight - we at the time assumed we were just paying not enough until then and just continued to pay the excess bills each. Month.    I would from time to time contact ovo and get faced with a call centre on South Africa of the most rude agents who would just hang up after hours of wait and I could not even get an acknowledgement of an issue with my meter.  At one point we were not in the property for like 4 months and the bills were coming just as high!  It was at this point I was sure something is not right and ovo only care to send bailiffs and started threatening us with a pay as you go meter despite me taking out a 3.5k loan to pay of my outstanding balance.  Around 1600 each on both gas and electricity.  This is where its gets really bad -  the very same day they sent me out a new bill saying the money paid already was only to cover up until the November previous and because its now Feb we owe another 1k.   By that August this had risen to over 3k and I still couldn't get anyone to even acknowledge a fault let alone fix it.    In despair I tried to swap suppliers and to my surprise octopus accepted us because even tho the debt is owed we are trying deal with.  During our time with them the bill was coming only on my wife's name as I was responsible for other bills and she this one - now that we owe them 3k they have magically started adding my name as well as my wife's to the same debt to apply double pressure and its showing on my experiwn report now with a question mark and 2700 showing in grey -  This was my wife's debt which we dispute we owe yet the have now sent me letter with both our names on from oriel and past due credit debt agencies - is this illegal and how can I get them to take my. Name of this and leave on wife's name as its so unfair they give us a both a defualt for wife's debt which we dispute anyway.    In the end about 3 weeks ago I wrote an email to their ceo and rishi sunak and low and behold for the first time in our history with ovo someone who spoke English contacted us and said she will look into our claim.    I explained to her that we feel our meter is faulty and despite me contacting them using WhatsApp email and phone I still have not got anyone to acknowledge a fault even. And that I dispute I Owe anything as my son was in hospital for 3 months and we stayed with him so house was empty and still. They were sending us super sized bills more than when we started at home.  She promised to investigate and a few days later replied that she is sorry for the poor customer service and offered us £50 compensation - however she also. Mentioned that she's attached statements for us confirming the payment for 3k I made was only up until Nov and in Feb despite me pay 3.5k nearly it's correct for them to bill. Me. Another £900 the very same day and she did not agree our meter was faulty and therfore the debt stands and she will not be calling it bcak from past due credit.  During my time with my new supplier post ovo, octopus I requested tehy check my. Meters because I felt they were faulty and over charging me and I got excellent response asking me for further details which I supplied and I got a. Response bcak within days to say my meter was indeed faulty and octopus have now remotely repaired it.   I then contacted the energy ombudsman and explained my situation how she at ovo tried to fob me off and demand I apy money we don't feel we owe due to faulty equipment we reported but ovo had to process or mechanism to deal with it or lodge complaint even without having to cc their ceo and our pm. And now I feel sick to think both husband and wife will get a 6  year default for debt which have a validity of a questionable nature.    I explained all this to the energy ombudsman and they accepted my case and I explained to them that my new supplier found my fault which ovo refueed to accept - I've uploaded the email from new supplier to ombudsman showing we had a fault.    My. Question is is there anything I can upload in defence of my case to ombudsman before they decide outcome ina few weeks    All advice greatly appreciated not only would I like advice on how to clear this debt but also how I can pursue ovo for compensation and deterrence for the future.  Thansk 
    • Thanks for the reply dubai 50 - if the statute is 10 years it has long passed - if it is 15 years i havea few months left. i shall ignore until it gets serious  An update - - I sent the letter to the bank in Dubai ( I did get delivery confirmation from Royal Mail)   - I have moved to a new address ( this is the address i gave to the bank in dubai)  - IDR are continuing to send Letters to the old address, which leads me to believe they are not in contact with the bank at all. - i have not replied to any correspondence digital or hard as they are non threatening ( as of yet).        
    • Your topic title was altered last June 23 by the owner of this forum in the interests of the forum Anyway well done on your result and concluding your topic, title updated.   Andy   .
    • So what    Why ? Consent Order/ Confidentiality ? This would be be invaluable to followers of your topic.  
    • Even on their map on their website, these parking rules encompass the whole pleasure park - there is no dedicated area for permits and another for free parking as stated. royal leisure park praking area map.pdf
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    • If you are buying a used car – you need to read this survival guide.
      • 1 reply
    • Hello,

      On 15/1/24 booked appointment with Big Motoring World (BMW) to view a mini on 17/1/24 at 8pm at their Enfield dealership.  

      Car was dirty and test drive was two circuits of roundabout on entry to the showroom.  Was p/x my car and rushed by sales exec and a manager into buying the mini and a 3yr warranty that night, sale all wrapped up by 10pm.  They strongly advised me taking warranty out on car that age (2017) and confirmed it was honoured at over 500 UK registered garages.

      The next day, 18/1/24 noticed amber engine warning light on dashboard , immediately phoned BMW aftercare team to ask for it to be investigated asap at nearest garage to me. After 15 mins on hold was told only their 5 service centres across the UK can deal with car issues with earliest date for inspection in March ! Said I’m not happy with that given what sales team advised or driving car. Told an amber warning light only advisory so to drive with caution and call back when light goes red.

      I’m not happy to do this, drive the car or with the after care experience (a sign of further stresses to come) so want a refund and to return the car asap.

      Please can you advise what I need to do today to get this done. 
       

      Many thanks 
      • 81 replies
    • Housing Association property flooding. https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/topic/438641-housing-association-property-flooding/&do=findComment&comment=5124299
      • 161 replies
    • We have finally managed to obtain the transcript of this case.

      The judge's reasoning is very useful and will certainly be helpful in any other cases relating to third-party rights where the customer has contracted with the courier company by using a broker.
      This is generally speaking the problem with using PackLink who are domiciled in Spain and very conveniently out of reach of the British justice system.

      Frankly I don't think that is any accident.

      One of the points that the judge made was that the customers contract with the broker specifically refers to the courier – and it is clear that the courier knows that they are acting for a third party. There is no need to name the third party. They just have to be recognisably part of a class of person – such as a sender or a recipient of the parcel.

      Please note that a recent case against UPS failed on exactly the same issue with the judge held that the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 did not apply.

      We will be getting that transcript very soon. We will look at it and we will understand how the judge made such catastrophic mistakes. It was a very poor judgement.
      We will be recommending that people do include this adverse judgement in their bundle so that when they go to county court the judge will see both sides and see the arguments against this adverse judgement.
      Also, we will be to demonstrate to the judge that we are fair-minded and that we don't mind bringing everything to the attention of the judge even if it is against our own interests.
      This is good ethical practice.

      It would be very nice if the parcel delivery companies – including EVRi – practised this kind of thing as well.

       

      OT APPROVED, 365MC637, FAROOQ, EVRi, 12.07.23 (BRENT) - J v4.pdf
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  • 2 years later...

I have been reading on a number o threads in this section about people who are struggling to make ends meet on benefits. It is not easy, I know having been on benefits since 2006.

 

There are some things that are available to you, regarding Gas and Electricity, which we all know take most of our money every week/month.

 

1. Most Electric & Gas suppliers have a social tariff, which is generally much cheaper than the standard tariffs.

 

I personally was with Extremely Dear Fuel (EDF) and on their social tariff, I have just recently switched to British Gas on their assisted tariff, which is saving me even more. You can usually find out by just giving your supplier a ring and asking, they don't always publicise their social tariffs.

 

2. If you have found yourself in debt because of hardship, you can apply to various trust funds to help with utility debt. I was £300 in debt with my electricity this time last year. I applied to the EDF Energy Trust Fund and they credited me with £550 to wipe out the debt and leave me on a solid foot for the future.

 

The debt I had with EDF was preventing me switching to a cheaper supplier, as they don't let you switch when you owe them money. A lot of the main suppliers operate these trust funds but they are not well advertised and you need to find out about them. They just about all will help with any utility debt, gas, electric, water, telephone.

 

These things are there and they will help ease your situation but you have to apply yourself, or switch your supplier or ask about social tariffs.

 

So if you are struggling, give these things a go.

 

Also if you are on benefits and have children at school between years 3 to 9, you can get a free laptop and 12 months broadband access. It is called Home Access and is there to be claimed.

 

I hope some of you who are struggling with utility debt can read this and get some help:)

  • Haha 2

:)IF YOU ARE BORED WITH LITTLE TO DO:)

My Story - Simon -V- The (SH)Abbey - :!:WON / 19 November 2007:!:

 

SKY TV and the penalty charge - how far will it go?

 

Me V Its4me and Close Premium Finance:!:WON / 28 November 2007:!:

 

IF I CAN HELP, I WILL, IF I DO, THEN PLEASE CLICK ON THE SCALES ON THE LEFT

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I have just had a look on www.energychoices.co.uk in the social tariffs section, it lists all the suppliers and their social tariffs. Eon does do a social tariff but it is only open to those customers over 60.

 

To give you and others a better ides of the savings, this is what I pay from British Gas for my Electricity (we are all electric);

Daytime Rates

First 225KW/H = 19.950p

Ramainder of day units = 9.702p

 

Night Rate (0000 - 0700) = 2.479p

 

Our water and storage heaters all charge up during the night rate.

Hope this helps.

:)IF YOU ARE BORED WITH LITTLE TO DO:)

My Story - Simon -V- The (SH)Abbey - :!:WON / 19 November 2007:!:

 

SKY TV and the penalty charge - how far will it go?

 

Me V Its4me and Close Premium Finance:!:WON / 28 November 2007:!:

 

IF I CAN HELP, I WILL, IF I DO, THEN PLEASE CLICK ON THE SCALES ON THE LEFT

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  • 3 weeks later...

Advice Now provides free advice on a range of subjects, including benefits.

 

They have a particularly useful page on how to handle an interview under caution.

 

Additionally, they link to local organisations which may be able to offer free help.

My advice is based on my opinion, my experience and my education. I do not profess to be an expert in any given field. If requested, I will provide a link where possible to relevant legislation or guidance, so that advice provided can be confirmed and I do encourage others to follow those links for their own peace of mind. Sometimes my advice is not what people necesserily want to hear, but I will advise on facts as I know them - although it may not be what a person wants to hear it helps to know where you stand. Advice on the internet should never be a substitute for advice from your own legal professional with full knowledge of your individual case.

 

 

Please do not seek, offer or produce advice on a consumer issue via private message; it is against

forum rules to advise via private message, therefore pm's requesting private advice will not receive a response.

(exceptions for prior authorisation)

 

 

 

 

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  • 1 month later...

How about Essential ESA reads

 

The Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 Just about everything ESA

The Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 No. 794

 

ESA Handbook for Heath Care Proffesionals Administering Tests

http://www.cpag.org.uk/esa/mstd_esa_hbk.pdf

 

DWP Decision Makers Guides (Chapters 8 & 9 are ESA specific)

Decision Makers' Guide - DWP

 

New ESA Points System Review coming in Oct 2010

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/work-capability-assessment-review-addendum.pdf

 

A-Z of medical conditions - DWP

 

Employment and Support Allowance - how to claim

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/DG_172014

 

^^^ if you scroll down the page there is a link for an "Interactive Claim Form" Very handy as you can save it to your PC & then play around with it as much as you like before completing the final one.

 

It maybe worth a mod edit to categorise and put all links into a single 1st post which following posts can suggest links add to on mod approval?

 

p.s. Sorry to create you more work but it would help :-) Alsso some of the links in previous posts are dead :eek:

Edited by speedfreek
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This is a very good link too from the Centre for social justice it contains links to some very good publications including one called Dynamic Benefits: Towards Welfare That Works.

 

This was edited by the then Rt. Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP now the work and pensions secretary.

 

The Centre for Social Justice - Publicationshttp://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/client/images/swf/CSJ%20dynamic%20benefits%20pp1-151.pdf

 

http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/client/downloads/2_CSJ%20Dynamic%20Benefits_PartIIandIII.pdf

 

http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/client/downloads/3_CSJ%20Dynamic%20Benefits_AppendicesToEnd.pdf

 

http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/client/downloads/CSJ%20Dynamic%20Benefits%20exec%20WEB%20NEW.pdf

 

Enjoy the read it is quiet an eye opener of things maybe to come under this coalition government.

 

PF

Finally if you succeed with your claim please consider a donation to consumer action group as those donations keep this site alive.

 R.I.P BOB aka ROOSTER-UK you have always been a Gent on these boards and you will be remembered for that.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Here's a few on-line benefits calculators.

 

HB and LHA rates vary by regions known as "Broad Market Rental Areas" (BMRAs), therefore it is important that you also check on your own council's web-site's benefit calculator.

See "Check your eligibility for housing benefit" below.

Directgov: Check your eligibility for housing benefit

 

DWP and HMRC benefits and credits:

Benefits adviser service : Directgov - Do it online

 

Alternative "benefits search" c/o "Turn to us":

Benefits Search

 

The LHA-Direct website has been developed to enable tenants renting accommodation from a private landlord to calculate the possible amount of Housing Benefit available to them from their Local Authority.

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Secure/Default.aspx

Still waiting for your blank ESA50 form to arrive? they can be downloaded from the web, however don't be too hasty to send it off - I say this because ESA is biased to fail claimants and shove them onto JSA, it's a cost saving exercise pretending to be something to help and support us.

 

Please read this thread before you fill in the ESA50:

How important is the ESA50 & supporting evidence?

 

There are also some helpful fact-sheets here c/o Disability Alliance:

 

Edited by loan_ranger
improved links

I'm not a qualified welfare rights adviser, but I'm planning on becoming one. I'm no substitute for more competent advice from trained CAB and welfare rights workers - [URL="http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/benefits-tax-credits-minimum/127741-benefits-advice.html"]see this post[/URL] by Joa, great advice and links! I've been running a Crisis Loan campaign and help since Jan 2007 . See my annotations c/o "theyworkforyou". I'm also currently interested by the recent DWP Medical Services reform and the effect this is having on valid claims, seriously - someone needs to be keeping a suicide count.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Welcome - www.energysavingplug.co.uk

 

CAG has altered the link check it extra space in .co.uk remove

 

 

Claim Your Free Plug Using Code: DIR0004004

 

 

Switching off your electrical items just got easier with the LIME energy saving plug. This intelligent plug provides total shutdown in one easy click via your remote control

 

(useful for those of us unable to reach plugs and sockets!).

 

To claim your FREE LIME energy saving plug someone in your household needs to be aged 70 or over

Or if you are under 70 but you or someone in your household receive one of the following benefits you are eligible to claim a free plug:

 

* Attendance Allowance

* Council Tax Benefit

* Child Tax Credit (with an annual household income of no more than £16,040)

* Disability Living Allowance

* Disablement pension (must also be in receipt of Constant Attendance Allowance)

* Housing Benefit

* Income Support

* Income-based Job Seekers Allowance

* State Pension Credit

* War Disablement Pension (must also be in receipt of Mobility Support or Constant Attendance Allowance)

* Working Tax Credit (with an annual household income of no more than £16,040)

* Income-related employment and support allowance.

 

Claim Your Free Plug Using Code: DIR0004004

 

only One Plug Per Household

  • Haha 1

NEVER FORGET

 

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]

 

Help Our Hero's Website

 

http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/

 

HIGHWAY OF HEROES

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/bear-garden/181826-last-tribute-our-lads.html

 

Like Cooking ? check the Halogen Cooker thread

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/bear-garden/218990-cooking-halogen-cookers.html

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  • 2 weeks later...

This is their entry on the Information Commissioner`s Office register.

 

 

Registration Number: Z6148679

Date Registered: 07 December 2001 Registration Expires: 06 December 2010

 

Data Controller: ATOS ORIGIN IT SERVICES UK LIMITED

 

Address:

NO 4 TRITON SQUARE

REGENT'S PLACE

LONDON

NW1 3HG

Other Names:

SCHLUMBERGERSEMA

BR BUSINESS SYSTEMS

SEMA UK LIMITED

ATOS ORIGIN MEDICAL SERVICES

ATOS HEALTHCARE

Have a happy and prosperous 2013 by avoiiding Payday loans. If you are sent a private message directing you for advice or support with your issues to another website,this is your choice.Before you decide,consider the users here who have already offered help and support.

Advice offered by Martin3030 is not supported by any legal training or qualification.Members are advised to use the services of fully insured legal professionals when needed.

 

 

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  • 1 month later...

Have a happy and prosperous 2013 by avoiiding Payday loans. If you are sent a private message directing you for advice or support with your issues to another website,this is your choice.Before you decide,consider the users here who have already offered help and support.

Advice offered by Martin3030 is not supported by any legal training or qualification.Members are advised to use the services of fully insured legal professionals when needed.

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Not sure if this has been posted before, but if your claim involves back pain, these docs may be used for reference, being a report by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (Royal College of Surgeons) on back pain, and prospects of returning to work etc.

Elsa x

backs3.pdf

backs2.pdf

backs1.pdf

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  • 3 months later...

 

excellent link thanks - struggling with a dla problem currenlty - I have been advised that once you have requested a decsion 'be looked at again' you basically have time after that new decison to appeal?

'rise like lions after slumber, in unvanquishable number, shake your chains to the earth like dew, which in sleep had fall'n on you, ye are many, they are few.' Percy Byshse Shelly 1819

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  • 1 month later...

Freedom of Information Requests to DWP

 

The Freedom of Information Act (2000) is a useful way to get information from the DWP. You can make requests online using the WhatDoTheyKnow website:

 

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/body/dwp

 

So far there are more than 600 requests to the DWP on the site, together with the answers from the DWP. If you want to make a request, read the Help pages first:

 

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/about

 

It's worth browsing this site to see the kind of FOI requests that have been made (some eccentric and some provocative). The DWP does not charge but will refuse requests that would cost them too much time to comply with.

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  • 3 months later...

Handy link.

Did you also post this in benefits forum ?

Have a happy and prosperous 2013 by avoiiding Payday loans. If you are sent a private message directing you for advice or support with your issues to another website,this is your choice.Before you decide,consider the users here who have already offered help and support.

Advice offered by Martin3030 is not supported by any legal training or qualification.Members are advised to use the services of fully insured legal professionals when needed.

 

 

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I have before Martin - I created a post on it last week.

My advice is based on my opinion, my experience and my education. I do not profess to be an expert in any given field. If requested, I will provide a link where possible to relevant legislation or guidance, so that advice provided can be confirmed and I do encourage others to follow those links for their own peace of mind. Sometimes my advice is not what people necesserily want to hear, but I will advise on facts as I know them - although it may not be what a person wants to hear it helps to know where you stand. Advice on the internet should never be a substitute for advice from your own legal professional with full knowledge of your individual case.

 

 

Please do not seek, offer or produce advice on a consumer issue via private message; it is against

forum rules to advise via private message, therefore pm's requesting private advice will not receive a response.

(exceptions for prior authorisation)

 

 

 

 

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  • 2 months later...
  • 3 weeks later...
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