British Gas Ignoring me AIC

[traceywarriner]

see below sri I have two usernames

Edited August 1, 2012 by traceywarriner

[saucytray]

Hi

Am stuck with a British gas problem and wondered if someone can help.

 

Me and my Boyfriend lost our jobs late 2011 just as I found out I was pregnant good timing I know.

 

We went on JSA and tried our best to keep on top of our bills.

 

I contacted everyone regarding my financially difficulty and found the only account thats been an issue is British Gas.

 

We struggled to keep on top of our bills and contacted British Gas regarding a payment plan.

It was initially manageable with electric £53 a month and Gas £27.

The monthly payments went up without any warning. £94 electric and £35 gas and now its £119 electric and £35 Gas.

 

These figures were not manageable and just paid what i could towards the debt.

 

I then had to come off JSA and receive maternity benefits.

I wrote to British Gas explaining all I could afford and that I was in receipt of benefits.

All I got was this is the monthly amount you need to pay it.

No explaining other options such as a pre payment meter or how to reduce my monthly bills etc,

just an automated email this is the amount you need to pay.

Now the account is £464 electric and £156 Gas.

 

They have now passed my account to AIC??

which I only found out by when I wrote to British Gas again to state my benefits have been reinstated and the amount I could afford.

 

It would have been nice to know that they were planning to do this.

 

I wrote a complaint mentioning how I have been dealt with the last couple of months

and not had much help from British Gas explaining options of paying.

 

I asked several times for some payment cards so i can pay easily at a paypoint and never received those.

 

British Gas are saying they cant deal with my complaint as the account is managed by AIC

and wont answer any of my questions just keep saying contact AIC.

 

Is that right they dont have to deal with my complaint?

 

I'm still being supplied by them so why are they ignoring me?

 

Ive offered £50 a fortnight for electric and £15 gas and have turned the gas boiler off so we dont spend anymore.

 

I'm angry that I've just been ignored and how unhelpful they have been with my situation.

 

Maybe I am over reacting but just worried.

Now its being managed by AIC will they cut us off?

They probably wont tell us there doing that either.

Hope someone can help

 

Thank you

[old bill]

I would be inclined to remind BG of a case they lost badly - Ferguson -v- British Gas Trading Ltd 2009 - for treating people like this. I'm not making any guarantees, but it might make them change their attitude and recall the account from AIC. Failing that, speak to your local Trading Standards Department.

[dx100uk]

they cant you are classed as vunerable

 

i'd take the bull by the horns

 

there are things call social tariffs

 

they are explained on their website.

 

dx

[saucytray]

Thanks a big help

I've wrote another complaint this time specifying ways they could of suggesting they could of helped and that I've got copies of there replies where they have been unhelpful also statements where I have contributed what I could afford.

It's not as if I haven't paid anything. I've also said I'm willing to escalate this. I think it might be a case for trading standards. It's like they ignore what I say. I'm expecting the same response. Our usage isn't high and but think it could be less if they bothered to take the time to help. Not so worried now I know im in the right. Thank you for putting my mind at rest.

[old bill]

Thanks a big help

I've wrote another complaint this time specifying ways they could of suggesting they could of helped and that I've got copies of there replies where they have been unhelpful also statements where I have contributed what I could afford.

It's not as if I haven't paid anything. I've also said I'm willing to escalate this. I think it might be a case for trading standards. It's like they ignore what I say. I'm expecting the same response. Our usage isn't high and but think it could be less if they bothered to take the time to help. Not so worried now I know im in the right. Thank you for putting my mind at rest.

 

The only other way you can stop them doing this is by way of a court injunction from your local county court using Form PF39CH under the provisions of Section 3, Protection from Harassment Act 1997. I have attached the form, but you will need to speak to a legal professional at your local Law Centre for advice on completing the form. Thankfully, advice from Law Centres is free or very low cost.

 

I'm also attaching a copy of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Protection from Harassment Act 1997.pdf

pf39ch_e.doc

[saucytray]

Hi

I think I'm being ripped off by british gas.

 

I've been with them since may 2011.

I had been told by a meter read man and an customer service adviser over the year or so I've been with them what figures to take.

 

A meter read man came the other day and said I been taking the wrong figures and pointed out the right ones which was rate 1 and rate 4

 

I have been taking rate 1 and another figure as my readings.

 

Meaning I have been over charged on the night rate.

 

I emailed british gas with photo's of my meter and they confirmed I have been reading my meter right.

 

After looking at there website it confirms I have been reading my meter wrong and should be reading rate 1 and rate 4 normal and low.

 

There obviously trying to fob me off can someone confirm that I should be taking the figure 6101 and figure 1756.

 

I've been Told to take 6101 and 7857.

 

Unable to add pictures will try post links again

 

Am I being fobbed off????

[saucytray]

Unable to post links have put pictures on photo bucket using account oooosaucy

Is that enough for you to view and help

 

Sorry if this post is complicated to understand

[dx100uk]

scan the required letters/agreements/sheets - as a picture[jpg] file

don't forget you can use a mobile phone or a digital camera too!!

'

BUT......

ENSURE: remove all pers info inc. barcodes etc using paint program

but leave all figures and dates. {DO NOT USE A BIRO OR PEN]

convert existing PC files to PDF [office has an installable print to PDF option]

..

goto one of the many free online pdf converter websites [http://docupub.com/pdfconvert/]

it would be better to upload a multipage pdf if

you have many images too rather than many single pdfs

.

or if you have PDF as an installed printer drive use that

or use word and save as pdf

try and logically name your file so people know what it is.

i'e Default notice dd-mm-yyyy

.

open a new msg box here

hit go advanced below the msg box

hit manage attachments below that box

hit the add files button on the top right

hit select files, navigate to your file on your pc

hit upload files

.

dx

[traceywarriner]

converted to pdf

[dx100uk]

i've for you dont worry

 

dx

[dx100uk]

ok sri hd to pop out

 

You are correct

 

BG are wrong

 

dx

[traceywarriner]

ok sri hd to pop out

 

You are correct

 

BG are wrong

 

dx

 

I thought so I've been told wrong information for so long. Had an emailing stating I've been reading the meter right and case closed don't think they can be bothered to work out what they owe me

Have escalated it to a complaint see where that gets me. I can't believe even the Csa even read it wrong.

[traceywarriner]

Removed

[saucytray]

Hi hope you can help

 

My meter readings for electricity had been taken wrongly in 2012

and after a complaint in December 2012

my account was put right and was credited nearly £500.

 

At the start of march 2013 my account was still correct.

 

At the start of April 2013 my account was recalculated and had a bill for nearly £600.

 

I emailed BG asking about this and they said my meter readings had been taken incorrectly again and twisted in the system.

 

She said it was sorted and still owed that amount.

 

I asked for a breakdown of the account.

 

My complaint was passed on and my meter readings between June 2012 and march 2013 have been deleted and so has all my bill history.

 

They just keep saying I was credited wrong and I owe that amount with no proof.

 

Where do I stand?

Something smells fishy to me.

 

I have contacted the obundsman just wondered what you guys thought.

[dx100uk]

4 threads merged on same issue over time to show history

 

I would go with the ombudsman yes

 

you clearly have an issue that needs resolving.

 

 

dx