@sp_energypeople Help Electricity Meter bypassed by previous tenant

[PC6774]

Hello all any advice would be appreciated

 

Had a visit from someone claiming to be from Scottish Power yesterday morning

asked to see his badge which he held out still attached to lanyard.

I asked to take it for full inspection he refused.

 

Was suspicious as I am not an SP customer but with SSE/Ebico but realise im in a Scottish Power area.

 

I let him look at meter and he then stated it had been tampered with and bypassed.

 

I could not believe what I was hearing.

I regularly put money on my key (it was a modern prepayment meter)

my usage is fairly light due to my health

I have a chronic arthritic condition so mobility is an issue and

as a result spend a large amount of time in bed.

 

 

I do keep a close eye on my power usage as I often have to rely on family to put money on it.

I couldn't believe what I was being told and the usage has always appeared correct and stated this to the SP guy.

 

He then produced a pad and started saying I can deal with this right now who is your supplier?.

 

At this point I began to worry I was being spoofed and asked him to leave

he replied by calling me a thief accused me of tampering with the meter and began threatening me.

I closed and locked my door and immediately called the police NE number

 

 

two officers came within fifteen minutes and confirmed the meter did appear to have been tampered with.

SSE came and changed the meter within an hour and left with the police.

 

here I am about to speak to SSE

after doing some research on the issue am worried I will be hit with the blame and bill for this.

 

 

To clarify its a private let and the owners agent tells me its not the landlords problem

and the former tenant abandoned the property owing rent I have been sole occupant for nearly four years.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice

Phil

[PC6774]

Update

 

As suspected as current tenant SSE hold me responsible and are charging me for replacement meter and claiming I owe for power as well about £360 was dealing with SSE complaints

 

Still cannot fathom why usage seemed right

 

have compared what I have used since new meter went in with what I had worked out my appliances run through and it appears roughly the same in the 23 hours since new meter went in meter shows £1.36 used

 

Can anyone answer is it possible to bypass PART of the system ie storage heaters property has old slab filled ones which i have not switched on once.

 

what was laughable about conversation with manager in SSE at one point he said to me "well you can't prove it wasn't you" I told him I thought it was up to them to prove I was guilty not the other way around.

[BankFodder]

Before you do anything on the phone, read our customer services guide and follow the advice - even if it means a delay.

This is extremely important.

[PC6774]

Thanks Bankfodder

 

first thing i did this morning was reinstall the android automatic call recorder app.

 

 

Guy from complaints e-mailed me with some info then called me just before 5 so to be fair he is keeping his promises so far.

 

actually felt a bit sorry for the guy

the term " like a rabbit caught in headlights " just about covers it

 

 

their figures don't make sense or seem to corroborate what i have been spelling out to them.

 

at this point even if they call me tomorrow and say they are wiping the charges

i would still be inclined to respond with a letter headed "without prejudice"

 

 

it is sickening that an innocent person can be accused, tried, found guilty and punished by big business UK within 24 hours

[dx100uk]

I cant see why you've sent me a PM really

the fact that all modern day meter can be read by a PC remotely

might or migt not prove anything

 

 

however I cant see how they will ever blame you anyway for this

as soon as the new meter has been in for a while

they'll see you usage is the same with the new meter

so it cant have been you anyway that did it.

 

 

dx