Thanks for asking. Account was in my Mother's name [Widow, 93 and VERY much alive] no reason whatsoever as neither worked for SSE, long time customer - mug punter! SSE reluctant even to part with DPA request for full disclosure, took two goes. STILL even though acknowledged refused to come clean. Matter with ICO and Police. Stems from their meter failing after my Mothers death, refusal to have meter independently checked. Altered annotations and intrigue. Matters probate. It means lies all round even to Energy Ombudsman just to win their case! Already received some compensation for not doing as they said, peanuts! Will post developements.

Hi dx Thanks, I am very aware and know they are two different systems/franchises, having been in on this since the debacle of ITV digital, worked in retail with associations within broadcasting and manufacturing since there were just two channels, however, the remit was granted to the BBC and ITV to provide what was the then Freeview platform (in essence Public Service Broadcasters) with new ones to be added along the way. Sky had/ has a small % input in comparison to the BBC/ITV on Freeview and at one time owned 33% of the Transmitters. Their involvement is and has been purely commercial and somewhat of a loss leader compared to satelite operations in their name. Having said that there are complexities in various contracts which deter 'all' of Freeview coming over. I'm not asking for that to change, just that the PSB's get their stables onto the Freesat platform. That includes the BBC with Dave, Yesterday, and others, together with 5, 5*, and 5 USA. ('Five' when it began was a PSB with a very limited footprint in the UK.) Believe it or not, my personal views about Sky don't come into it, just the fact that their involvement does muddy the water when it should be more clear cut as to Freeview (with optional subscription TV) paid for out of the license fee, Freesat (no frills yet with more channels and increasing) 98% UK coverage paid out of the license fee, or Sky (pay all the way) on top of the license fee etc. As Freesat has the same capabilities as the Sky platform therefore what I've posted, with all due respect, does seem very valid? Removing it proves simply you don't understand either!

Designed to supply Freeview to those who have bad reception or none at all, it still doesn't. Let's forget about the 'pay tv' that has sneaked on TopUpTV, ESPN, and Sky who by being there from the outset, continues to meddle with the viewing of basic services by blocking moves unless they have worldwide domination. There people out there whom have never seen 5*, 5 USA, Dave, Yesterday and so on. The reasoning here is why do we pay a license fee when we don't have a full service 'then' to have the choice? Agree? removed

We are talking about the '60's and over' bus pass with exemptions for those with dibilitating circumstances? I'm thinking something is well wrong with this! Bus passes are directly fund by the Government via the issuing authority not the DWP thus not based on benefits. Find out who your local Councillor is, get them to rectify this. Tell them that West Sussex County Council issue with that priviso despite cutting centres for this that and everything else, no doubt the same applies your end. Remember Cameron saying " we're not cutting bus passes"! it applies here!!!

Your neighbour should apply to the issuing authority of the buss pass for a disabled pass application form, they will know what you mean! Fill it in and get her local GP to write a/an covering note of her problems then send it off. Keep the current pass until the new one is issued. If she's got one already it's worth a phone call to see if they are to renew it when it expires in x months time? The DWP have nothing to do with it!

Hi there Sounds all too familiar, got the tee-shirt! I won't bore you with my problem (check 'brackleshamdavid' previous post) but in essence we have a lot in common. The cut and dried of this is Southern Electric - SSE - will maintain your usage is correct based soley on averages over a previous term. Even if you turned the meter off for 1 quarter, because its there and they supply to it, they in law, can charge you for it based on your previous usage. Sounds grim! They are! Now's here what you can do about it. First everything must be done in writing, emails preferably. Convert everything onto your PC. Complain only by this method (not via their website, no copies) if you phone them send a confirmation of exactly what you said. At local level they keep recorded records. Up the line more by annotation and only what they want.!! So let's work from the worst case senario, downwards. Energy Ombudsman. No recourse his word is final. Submission to Ombudsman. Must be made by letter, initially by their forms, you include an overview with all the copies of instances you note in that overview, to back your submission. An initial judgement is made by an underling who asks for your rebutal of the claims by........ The whole lot then goes to the man proper. A Courts equivalent of disclosure. Now here's a thing I know the person who at SSE handles their end. SSE Head Office. I have a long list of personnel who each play at being 'Head' and you tend to be moved about. So all you do is c.c. each person, as they add them no excuses then. Local/Regional level. You are here. I've also got a list of people here and it's highly probable one of them will be dealing with you soon if not now. As your case is on file any line manager can pick it up determined by what previous actions have been taken. Lets come back to now. If they did send anyone around to check the meter they would have to ask you to turn the juice off and plug a tester into a socket which has three LED lights on it. That's your first step. Email a request giving three dates suitable to yourself, say 3 -4 weeks ahead. Get confirmation in writing/email. Their equipment must work within set limits and you can have a copy of the engineer's report either way. Now everything onwards is a matter of compare and compare, and compare. You see SSE couldn't care less because they know 'they' ONLY need to submit known averages and the job's a good'n. This is just the begining so don't give in. I'm also on twitter @dpaj_co_uk with links to my website and blog sites then again if you comment/respond here my email will pick you up. Its not just that 'you know' your right, its the telling that gets you. That and their blasted computer which tells them what to do, when, how and why. Did you know all customers are 'given' a target figure of comsumption based on a % + over their previous accounts? Which is why they (and a few others) started enforcing standing charges on long term empty properties with no usage!

Hi Consumer dude. Was this intended for Oranda or me, brackleshamdavid?

Hi there. Just checking a few things, but the obvious is you do have proof of the payment you've made which cleared the debt?

Would Chichester count? Long live the 700! Always open to PM's.

This may sound silly, but have you written/emailed them pointing out the miscreant error and/or asked what the new bill relates to if the dates overlap? I just sorry for you ever being with them in the first place! WHATEVER you do MAKE/KEEP COPIES!

I'd love to..but it was/is on their computor file, not mine. I am also awaiting a request for disclosures under the Data Protection Act. I also was talking the/a person at their Head Office at the time who confirmed it as it was happening! If I could have pressed the print button quick enough....!

NO....I mean CRIMINAL RECORD check. THEY admitted it and I've seen it!!!

Because I made a complaint and early on in their complaints proceedure it emerged that Southern Electric or SSE made a/an Criminal Record check without informing me, let alone saying that this was their policy! I believe this is illegal. I don't work for them, although you'd think that if you've ever had a bill? Can anyone shine a light on this? Consumer Focus and Consumer Direct would like to hear more if other suppliers do this even though they don't take on individual cases, nor does it fall under the remit of the Energy Ombudsman. Personally I feel used and abused so is there any form free legal action I can take? Help and advice please!!!

I've just finished a bout with the Energy Ombudsman against Southern Electric and a few things might apply. If you've had meters removed, did you have them tested independently? Have you reached the final person in the chain who will issue a 'deadlock letter'?. I assume you've a long list of whom you've dealt with, and an appropiate file to match. Add to this by making your annotations of phone calls, if not transcripts. You must have hard and fast proof of what you've said and indeed done. When you've done all this you can check this against SP's correspondence by requesting all theirs under the Data Protection Act for a small fee, it may take upto 40 days, but THEY HAVE TO DO THIS. Ask for all correspondence, both internal and external to include annotations whereso made, also, copies of files held on their computer (include all bills) programs. Think as though you were going to Court, you have the right of full disclosure. You might find out like me that you've been subject to a CRIMINAL RECORD check. All said and done run it by a solicitor to plug the gaps, they already have a legal department who can conveniently make use of any lack of your evidence to their favour! In my case they lied to the Ombudsman to win by running two contacts made by me into one, all so neat and tidy? Hope this helps!

In short change supplier. Speaking personally, for SE to tweak figures is nothing new. They refused to have my meter tested when it stopped. Tested a new meter with faulty equipment. Took monies when saying they wouldn't, and lied to the Energy Ombudsman just to win their case. Just a few things in a two year nightmare!! I'm now with E.On getting stonking discounts, doing my own readings (billed accordingly) all for £30 fixed per month and with a smart meter as well. Keep records of everything you might well need them, but move as soon as possible. They are evil!