One million customers overcharged for energy
27/11/2014
Over one million customers who have a pre-paid meter have been overcharged by their energy companies because their meter is faulty, Energy UK has revealed.
The industry body has revealed that roughly 1.5 million energy meters have not been working properly since they were installed. This has been going on for seven years for some customers who had their meter installed in 2007.
Customers may have been charged up to 25p extra per top up, with the worst effected being overcharged by up to £110, although for most people it will be a lot less. On average, customers lost about £6.50 every winter. British Gas, the largest supplier of gas in the UK, said more than 700,000 of its customers may have been overcharged.
Customers who have been overcharged will be automatically be refunded by their energy supplier and can have their payment cards updated when they take them for a top-up. Energy suppliers have advised they will try and get the refunds back as soon as possible.
Gillian Guy, Citizens Advice chief executive said:
"That overcharging has been going on for seven years shows the second-class service prepayment customers get
"Prepayment meter customers are already paying higher charges than direct debit customers, so this is adding insult to injury,"
Customers with pre paid meters pay on average an extra £80 a year more to heat and light their homes.
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