scottish power gas bill

[ripped_off_van_winkle]

hi everyone!

 

i havent bought credit for my gas meter for about 2 years and have had no hot water or heating

and the housing company (sanctuary) capped said meter because of this.

 

strangely i now, according to the credit balance thingy on the meter it says i owe them 212 quid.

 

 

just wondering what this 212 quid is for since i havent used the thing.

 

 

could anyone explain why and where these charges have came from?

 

 

the reason i havent topped the gas meter up is cos i couldnt afford it in the first place.

 

 

i kept topping it but they kept deducting money and

 

 

one day i walked for miles for a fiver top up and the damn thing took the whole fiver

and i was left totally scunnered. no gas at all.

 

i have heard from some other folks that there is a charge for simply "having the meter"

- seems out of order to me! £212 . for nothing! any of you guys explain this to me? thanks folks!

thanks again folks !

[leigh04]

If its a prepayment meter the charges could well be the standing charge.

[ripped_off_van_winkle]

apologies if that message was somewhat "garbled" i am autistic and have severe depression, PTSD and gulf war syndrome. im just looking for some advice that i cant fnd on google or elsewhere. thanks folks.

[ripped_off_van_winkle]

thx leigh - what is a "standing" charge?

 

i have always had ppl that dealt with that sortof thing. im kinda new to it all i.e. dealing wth bills and stufff. sorry maybe im in the wrong forum sorry

[leigh04]

Prepayment meters have a weekly charge of approx 1.70 or more that gets taken from any credit on a weekly basis, mine gets taken every wednesday.

 

If you google scottish power prepayment standing charge it will give you alot more info.

Hope that helps.

[ripped_off_van_winkle]

thanks pal it just seems unfair! thancks mate tryg to sort it the now lol

[oleg]

As long as the meter remains in place S P will impose this standing charge.

 

Choices are

 

1 Persuade Sanctuary to have the meter removed or pay the standing charge themselves since you don't use gas.

 

2 Move to a company who have a zero standing charge - google utilities + [exact phrase] "no standing charge" .

 

If you don't take action, the charge will continue.

 

You should also write to [not phone] S P, explaining that you are a vulnerable customer with special needs who was unaware of the introduction of the charge. Politely but firmly tell them that, in the circumstances, you believe you should be granted a refund.

 

If your health condition makes it a struggle to write formal letters can you go to CAB or is there an advocacy service in your area?