Pre-pay meter users 'due rebate

[buzby]

I'm not being 'clever' - many of the complaints on here are how to deal with calls by phone or to the door where no debt exists, or where it does, when matters are already being discussed by the supplier.... who usually forget to call off their hired cash collectors.

 

The question remains - what statement can someone in this position usefully give you that will permit you to hand the matter back to the supplier for their urgent attendtion, and save needless call and visits from folk shouting "where's the money?".

[milly5]

Ok as predicted I received my fob off letter in the post today from EDF.They seem a bit miffed about the amount of template letters they are getting!

 

The letter says they are pleased to conform that EDF energy has not overcharged its prepayment customers,infact as early as 2005 EDF was the first supplier to align its prepayment electricity prices with those of customers paying by cash or cheque.it goes on to reassure me I have not been overcharged.Then they say if I send ten pounds for a subject access request I can have all data on my account.

 

Not sure what to make of the letter but im sending a SAR anyway,if what they say is correct have I still got a potential claim for 2004?

 

Also received an E-mail from National Housing Federation so am going to see if any new info I can pass on.will post later .

[kia]

nothing for me as yet dont think there gonna answer me but im not sure i adressed it right so u reckon i shou1d send off another one to be sure its right one xxkia

[milly5]

Hi Kia, When did u send your letter?

 

I sent mine 4 weeks ago ,not recorded but in a freepost envelope,it obviously got to right dept.

I was going to chase mine up if I hadn't heard this week so maybe you could

too.

I would send your SAR anyway as we are going to need all that lnformation to claim.

 

Milly

[kia]

yeh this is true hmm think its been three weeks on monday i sent it just in ordinary enve1ope never thought actua11y to do it recorded stupid me but i11 give em ti11 monday see what happens ive marked the date on my phone to remember ;)xxxkia

[blue nose]

BG where taken to court last year for harassing an ex customer where the final debt was paid this ended up in the high court BG where ordered to pay cost the final amount they had to pay to the customer was reported to be 10,000 i am off work just now but if you want me to find out the name of the case i will do.

[blue nose]

The answer to the second part of the question always go to the complaints department of any company and threaten them with legal action for harassment if you are having trouble paying you'r bill always talk to the company

[MARTIN3030]

Sending a SAR from the outset is the way to go if you think that theres a chance you are owed money.

The worst case scenario is that you could lose a tenner.

On the other hand you can still lose a tenner by sending a few recorded deliver letters..wait for them to stall you and pussyfoot and still have to do the SAR if you are not convinced.

Way to go then is start the 40 day clock sooner rather than later !

[MARTIN3030]

Blue nose-welcome to the site.

Maybe it would assist and invite the sort of questions that you would be able to answer if you can just give us an idea of those questions you CAN answer ?

 

What exactly is your remit if you dont mind me asking ?

[buzby]

BG where taken to court last year for harassing an ex customer where the final debt was paid this ended up in the high court BG where ordered to pay cost the final amount they had to pay to the customer was reported to be 10,000 i am off work just now but if you want me to find out the name of the case i will do.

 

This appears often - but it is worth remembering that the consumer had to spend around £18,000 of their OWN money to pursue it, and always with the risk that they might lose, and have to pay the whole lot. It's not a panacea for everyone, but a useful pointer that if you have the funding, you can make a point.

[kia]

dont know how much this means either but ive noticed a huggeeeee difference in the amount of gas i been putting in my meter so kinda makes u wonder dont it how much over charging they been doing i mean i suppose it been summer means my usage has been 1ess but not this much has anyone e1se noticed a big change in the amount there using xxxkia

[uneverdid]

I have also noticed a massive reduction in my gas like you i know its summer but i cant remember it being so low last year.

[MARTIN3030]

Eon have reduced its tariffs from Jul 4th.

See my other thread.

[kia]

I have also noticed a massive reduction in my gas like you i know its summer but i cant remember it being so low last year.

yep so not just me so how much have they been taking off us then :eek:xxkia

[kia]

Eon have reduced its tariffs from Jul 4th.

See my other thread.

wi11 do martin xxkia

[JGJ]

I sent EON the following letter claiming rebate,re overpayment, any advice to progress claim will be gratefully received.

I have been on a pre pay meter for gas and elec for a couple of years now, by choice as I find I do as it says on the tin, pay as you go. The elec meter collects some arrears, the gas is arrears free. This is their response.

 

"EXEMPLO DUCEMUS"

Edited July 30, 2009 by JGJ

[JGJ]

[JGJ]

[JGJ]

[MARTIN3030]

Hi JGJ.

Looks like Eon have prepared a templated letter here.

Obviously,they are going to say they believe their charges were fair and that they are competitive-its similar to what the banks and credit card issuers have been saying for more than 3 years even after overwhelming evidence to show otherwise.

In the event of making a claim in the small claims court,you would need to provide figures that you was looking to claim,to file on the claim form.

A subject access request would give you copy statements to show the charges and tariffs,over the periods that you want to be looking at.

However,in order to reconcile these to show that there was a distinct imbalance between what you was paying,and what credit meter customers were paying,it would be necessary to have both sets of these figures to highlight the unfairness.

I think Eon and all the other companies know this.

The burden of proof in any claim would be for the claimant to show an arguement that the tariffs and charges WERE unfair,as opposed to the utility providers requirement to show that they werent.

 

As I see it,this appears to be the crux.

They have no duty to provide this information outside a SAR.

 

Effectively then claimants will need to have these figures for the same periods for non prepayment meter tariffs and charges.

We need to build and collate a database of these,and it is going to take some time.

However if we can get enough people interested in looking to have these charges refunded,then it is always people power who can accelerate this task.

 

Aside from the unfairness of the charges and tariffs,its quite likely that there will be other points that could be raised in supporting any claim for refunds.But in order to identify these it would mean looking closesly into specific terms and conditions,contract clauses and the transparicy and implimentation of those tariffs and charges.

So still a lot of work to do.

We also need to know of other customers who have had refunds,or are having complaints looked into,and any conclusions or results.

So much of the way ahead will rely on getting this too.

I dont see that sending for your SAR can be a bad idea.

It is possible that within the 40 days we will be more in a position to know where to go.

In any event you do need the information that the SAR will be providing.

Make sure that the request is specific.

1.Copies of statements which show all payments made and the tariffs which were appropriate to them.

2.A copy of terms and conditions which were applicable to your account.

3.Copies of all communications in written form that were sent from them to you and you to them.

4.A copy of any customer telephone call logs.

5.A copy of any customer notepads or screenshots.

 

6.copies of any communications between third parties in relation to the collection of arrears owed on the account,or else actions to initiate the same.

 

7.Copies of all service records in relation to meters,and readings,price adjustments and resetting of tariffs,showing dates.

 

All information must be in clear intelligible language.

Any coded or abbreviated text or written matter should be explained,as per ICO guidance.

[JGJ]

MARTIN 3030,

 

As ever, thank you for your swift input and knowledge. I will endeavour to proceed with SAR and will post again with any further info. received.

 

 

"EXEMPLO DUCEMUS"

[kia]

how true your a star martin xxxkia

[MARTIN3030]

Aww thank you Kia.

[kia]

:)your we1come xxxkia

[milly5]

EDF are being unreasonable in connection with my SAR request....

 

The reply to my rebate request said if I wanted a SAR to send 10.00 and gave the address to send it too ,this I did.

 

After 2 weeks I recieved a letter from edf stating before they could consider a SAR request they needed proof of identity and address from me!.... also I had to send 10.00 cheque [i have already sent the 10.00 cheque]

I tried to ring edf and got nowhere as apparently the person dealing with SAR is on holiday and no one else can help me........

 

Why didnt edf tell me initially about needing all this ID proof?

its all designed to make me give up but Im not giving up that easy..

I Need to know what they have done with my cheque so I will be ringing back on monday .

Maybe this could be a good sign, perhaps the delaying tactics are because they know eventually they may have to refund customers.

milly