@scottishhydro Scottish Hydro Electric Collections Visit Charge

[craigie09]

Hi everyone,

 

My mother is severely mentally impaired and I look after her affairs. I was in hospital for a while and her gas and electricity bill was outstanding. I paid it when I got out of hospital.

 

However I noticed on her latest bill there is a charge of £43.78 for a Collections Visit Charge on both her electricity bill and gass bill. A total of £87.44 0n top of her bill.

 

I was pretty shocked at this I assume that someone had come to the door looking for payment. My mother cant and wouldnt open the door to anyone and the care team said that no one came when they were in so my question is what proof do I have that anyone actually came to the door?

 

Has anyone any advice on where I should go with this, its outrageous to do this to woman in her 80's.

 

By the way I have already told them all about the situation several times.

[padja]

I would contact them and ask them what they were doing? I suspect it may be a computer generated charge, which they should waive, if however they dont I would take it to Ofgen, and see what they have to say.

[craigie09]

Hi Padja,

 

I did just that and thats exactly what it was but if I had not noticed they would have still taken the full payment and said absolutely nothing about it.

[padja]

of course they would have they rely on people not checking or assuming the company is right glad it was resolved happily

[MARTIN3030]

This looks like nothing more than a penalty charge.

Ofgem may look at it but it is likely to take time and even then they may just reduce the amount.

 

What you need to do is send a letter demanding a breakdown of the fees to show that they are proportionate and do not duly enrich.

If they fail or cannot do this satisfactorily then personally I would issue a Money claim Online for recovery plus costs.

 

If you need help with doing that-hit the black triangle .