DOES YOUR ENERGY COMPANY OWE YOU MONEY?

Energy prices continue to be an issue for most of us. Even though the economy seems to be improving there is still a case to be made for reducing energy prices and switching supplier can sometimes save you money. There has been much confusion about tariffs and many have been charged too much or have not had refunds that were due to them when they switched supplier. Money, (customers money!) has been sitting in suppliers accounts unclaimed. Ofgem, the energy regulator in Great Britain, has called on the six largest gas and electricity suppliers to make sure money is returned to former customers, after discovering companies have held more than £400 million from closed accounts over the past six years. Thats an awful lot of clients money!

If you think you’re owed money and have switched gas or electricity supplier or moved, get in touch with your former supplier. It’s helpful if you have a copy of your previous bill and account details to hand and your former address if relevant.  You may also need proof of your identity.

If you think a deceased relative may have been an account holder who is owed money, you’ll need to show your entitlement to any proceeds of their estate.

If you are about to switch supplier, take a meter reading just before you switch. And if you are moving, make sure you give your new address to the supplier you’re leaving.

Where money can’t be returned, Ofgem expects energy companies to find ways to use the money to benefit consumers in general and to clearly communicate what they will do. And processes and practices must be set up so that you’re clear what to do when closing an account to make sure you get the money you are owed in the future.

The six largest gas and electricity suppliers are:

British Gas www.britishgas.co.uk
EDF Energy www.edfenergy.com
E.On UK www.eonenergy.com
Npower www.npower.com
Scottish Power www.scottishpower.co.uk
SSE www.sse.co.uk

For free and impartial help on this or any other issue you can contact your local Wyre Forest Citizens Advice in any of the following ways:

Website Advice: www.adviceguide.org.uk

Telephone Advice: 0844 4111 303 (from landline) or 0300 330 0650 (from mobile)

Face to Face Appointments: 01562 60194

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