Hi,

I am thinking of making a small claims court case against British Gas.

After paying them as a residential customer for nine years I tried to transfer my account to Scottish Power. Eventually it transpired that my flat was shipperless (there was no supplier) and British Gas therefore refunded me ~£7,000 they had charged me over the years. They refused to tell me how this amount was calculated saying that the information was archived.

I think they should pay me interest on the money they have refunded which would come to nearly £1000. Do you think the court would entertain this? I went to the Energy Ombudsmen and they agreed with British Gas that as I had got free gas for nine years no interest was payable.

In my opinion this is a separate matter, another unknown gas company was supplying me and were too useless to charge me and have now lost the right to do so. Lucky me! That doesn’t make it OK for British Gas to take my money for a service they did not supply without compensation for inflation over the years. BG took my money they had no right to and would have earned interest while it was sitting in their bank account.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

M

Are you able to look at your bank statements to see how much your Direct Debits were to ensure you have been refunded the full amount?

I am not sure about interest though - whilst you are correct - they would have earned interest on the money you have parted with - however, you have had free gas for that period of time.

It will be interesting to see what other caggers think

Have you considered sending a Subject Access Request to British Gas? They would then have to get any statements out of their archives to comply !

It will cost you £10.00 and they have 40 calendar days in which to comply.

Hmm, thanks for the replies CitizenB, I guess I will have to let my entirely rational hatred of British Gas go and draw a line under the ordeal they inflicted on me.

Unfortunately I don't have my bank and gas statements going back the full 10 years, after all even the tax man doesn't expect you to keep them that long!

I was more interested in charging them interest but as no one agrees with me I'll give it up, would hate to lose to them in court.

take it a run

Thread moved to the appropriate forum

Regards

Andy

you didnt know you had a reason to chase them so you cant ask for interest on the money. If you asked them 10 years ago and they told you a story that wasnt true then you would be entitled to interest as well.

You could possibly claim interest on any monies paid after you tried to switch if they refused to let you go but it will be a very small amount.