Scope Opportunity: Have you been moved to a prepayment meter by your energy company?

Tori_Scope

Hi all,

One of my colleagues at Scope is working with a journalist to present the results of some work we've done around energy bills. They're looking to speak to someone who's gone into arrears, and ended up being moved onto a prepayment meter by their energy company.

If anyone's experienced this, and would like to find out more about the opportunity, please get in touch with me by commenting here, privately messaging me, or emailing me at community@scope.org.uk

Thanks in advance!

L_Volunteer

Hi @Tori_Scope. Thank you for sharing this opportunity with us - it sounds really important.

If anyone has any questions about this opportunity please feel free to ask. We are all here for each other 

just4once

Yep this has happened to me even got forced to have a smart metre too

Tori_Scope

Would you be okay with me putting you in touch with my colleague @just4once? There's no obligation to take part- it'd just be to find out more about the opportunity  

just4once

Hi there happy to help anyway I can

Crisbev

Didnt know anything about this till i saw it on GMTV the other day .who gave them permission to do this without you knowing .This could be frightening to alot of people like us living on a budget. It must be stopped and stopped now .The electricity companies have way to much power and its only goinng to get worse. 

Tori_Scope

Awesome, thanks @just4once I'm just waiting to see who I need to put you in touch with.

Tori_Scope

Yes, it's really worrying @Crisbev! 

We posted a Twitter thread about this today, which you might like to take a look at.

🚨 This is worrying news.

In under 4 minutes, a court granted 496 warrants for energy companies to forcibly install pre-payment meters (PPMs)

But we’re clear. No new PPMs should be installed in disabled households while bills are so high. 1/4🧵https://t.co/ZRjHYEJ4bB

— Scope (@scope) December 7, 2022

⚡️ Pre-payment meters cost more, and can disconnect entirely when credit runs out.

This can leave disabled people cut off. Unable refrigerate medication, run life-saving medical equipment, and survive independently.

— Scope (@scope) December 7, 2022

In these 496 cases, energy companies assured the court that no occupiers were vulnerable. But no individual circumstances were discussed.

Courts are granting thousands of these warrants each month. And we want assurances that disabled households will never be affected.

— Scope (@scope) December 7, 2022

Tori_Scope

I've just sent you an email about this @just4once

Mozzaa53

Tori_Scope said:

Hi all,

One of my colleagues at Scope is working with a journalist to present the results of some work we've done around energy bills. They're looking to speak to someone who's gone into arrears, and ended up being moved onto a prepayment meter by their energy company.

If anyone's experienced this, and would like to find out more about the opportunity, please get in touch with me by commenting here, privately messaging me, or emailing me at community@scope.org.uk

Thanks in advance!

Mozzaa53

Yes I was forced to last November.  They actually didn't need to change my meter.  They done it electronically and I had no choice.  I am physically disabled and I was promised a smart meter but I'm still waiting.  If I run out of credit and have no one to go to the shop for me, I then have to sit with no power until my son comes home from work.  If I had a smart meter I could top it up with my bank card. 

L_Volunteer

Thanks for sharing this with us @Mozzaa53. It sounds frustrating that you were forced to, you had no choice and you are still waiting. 

I can hear how you feel a smart meter could be more useful for you as it would mean you could top it up with your bank card 

just4once

I got set up with one of these smart metres when I got put on pre payment metre I hate it it triggers fear as it’s a constant reminder of how fast it goes down now I won’t use my gas central heating my bed is in the front room two duvets and two blankets so far hopefully a third duvet will be added later this week 

L_Volunteer

I hear you @just4once. It sounds really difficult that you hate it and it triggers fear. 

Is there anything, in particular, that might help you to feel less triggered and fearful? Sending you hugs and a listening ear.

I am glad to hear you are at least using duvets and blankets to stay semi-warm. Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can do anything to support you.

We are all here for you and listening to you. Take care for now and we will look forward to hopefully hearing from you again soon 

just4once

Thank you for your support mostly i turn my back to it but now hidden it behind my aloe Vera plant while I can understand that some people find them helpful I do wonder if any consideration was given for mental health or sensory difficulties 

emancherry33

hi all just moved house and was put on a pre paid meter before i even moved in . i was very insistant on being put back on to a direct debt metering and did not want the pre paid meter they where not very happy about it and i told them i was not happy about beeing put on a pre paid meter. there fobbed off resons was it would be cheaper for me to have the pre paid and nonses about eu law you have to be on pre paid. tryed to make me fill like i was doing wrong and breaking there companies laws. would love to have transfered to another company but say you have to pay them 6 months in advance before you can switch to another energy firm guesting thats problably s**** but dont know for sure. there all -------------

smartbutcasual

Mozzaa53 said:

Tori_Scope said:

Hi all,

One of my colleagues at Scope is working with a journalist to present the results of some work we've done around energy bills. They're looking to speak to someone who's gone into arrears, and ended up being moved onto a prepayment meter by their energy company.

If anyone's experienced this, and would like to find out more about the opportunity, please get in touch with me by commenting here, privately messaging me, or emailing me at community@scope.org.uk

Thanks in advance!

Ì went on a convalescing holiday that had been paid for by my mum before she passed away in Sept 2021 I arrived back at 4am pitch black no electric no gas. I had been bedridden for 3 years friend got me into my house and left I thought it was a power cut. B.gas had come in with a warrant and put payg and smart meters in ..not had any bills and never had gas with b.gas friend had to spend £200 to get electric back on and gaseventually they came and changed back to credit meters as noway can I get to meter inside or one in alley when I'm bedridden.
The worst part is British Gas can do a credit check if you don't pass you have to have pay I think that's disgusting I've paid my bills for years but had to stop working 3 years ago due to severe lifelong illness . Then received a letter from debt collectors saying owed £257 for gas never used b.gas for gas ever 

smartbutcasual

emancherry33 said:

hi all just moved house and was put on a pre paid meter before i even moved in . i was very insistant on being put back on to a direct debt metering and did not want the pre paid meter they where not very happy about it and i told them i was not happy about beeing put on a pre paid meter. there fobbed off resons was it would be cheaper for me to have the pre paid and nonses about eu law you have to be on pre paid. tryed to make me fill like i was doing wrong and breaking there companies laws. would love to have transfered to another company but say you have to pay them 6 months in advance before you can switch to another energy firm guesting thats problably s**** but dont know for sure. there all -------------

I know but.gas won't let you transfer if owing money not heard about thr 6 month rule that's why they have had the monopoly for so long 

GizmoTiddles

Hi @Tori_Scope
I hope you are well. 

Slightly off subject.

I have an older Electric anolog meter fitted. Declined a smart meter on numerous occasions.

My provider was for a number of years, with sse and being a thrifty user, I  had an enforced swap over to ovo  energy a few months back.

I use to pay quarterly, and standing charge on the meter therefore quarterly (£17 approx)

 With new provider ovo its monthly. 

I've not seen or had a visit from a meter reader for at least 4yrs from sse or ovo. (I send meter eadings when requested.) 
But I do get an annual staftey check by the cc landlord. 

Now my gripe with new provider is the standing charge now being monthly £17.06, for the same meter. 

When I queried this I was told that is how it is calculated for/from their smart readings. 

When I pointed out I don't have a smart meter, have never had one and don't want one. Also they have never taken a reading, and based on their reasoning they should be paying me for reading and sending to them. 
  I was told it is what it is! 

I see this as a absolute rip off from energy providers that is completely unacceptable, but can't be challenged. 

Never been behind with a bill perhaps I should be. 

Search as I might I can't find the answer. 

Ringing them is a joke hrs on the phone, call system and end up speaking to someone in India. 

Never ever have had a call back as informed. 

Any ideas or info would be appreciated. 

Keep up the good work 
Thanks 
Gizmo

Luchia

emancherry33 said:

hi all just moved house and was put on a pre paid meter before i even moved in . i was very insistant on being put back on to a direct debt metering and did not want the pre paid meter they where not very happy about it and i told them i was not happy about beeing put on a pre paid meter. there fobbed off resons was it would be cheaper for me to have the pre paid and nonses about eu law you have to be on pre paid. tryed to make me fill like i was doing wrong and breaking there companies laws. would love to have transfered to another company but say you have to pay them 6 months in advance before you can switch to another energy firm guesting thats problably s**** but dont know for sure. there all -------------

That’s absolute tosh, we have just moved from British Gas to Octopus Energy, was only with BG for 5 weeks and was able to move over freely.
it might be best to contact the firm your thinking of moving to and ask them to deal with it all 

Tori_Scope

Did you want to take part in the opportunity @Mozzaa53 @emancherry33 @smartbutcasual?