Electricity demand gave me big shock
OUR new consumer champion column with MARTIN LEWIS and SAM DUNN helps you hit back at greedy firms who put profits first - and you second.
Q - I GOT a letter from EDF telling me I owed more than £1,300 and they'd load the debt on to my meter and deduct £12 a week.
It's terrifying - this debt is three years old, and I thought I'd repaid it, as agreed with the company. I rang customer services who said they could drop it to £800. I said no - as the debt was supposed to have been paid off.
However, the repayments start next month and I can't afford them. I'm really worried.
PAULINE KENNARD, via email
A - WE blew a fuse when we read your story, and got on the case. After a check of its records, EDF uncovered a mistake. It should have deducted £5 from your account every week since 2006 but forgot.
"This was a very unusual situation and we're very sorry," it said. To make amends, it has agreed to wipe out your debt.
As a prepay customer you tend to pay more than regular customers. So, says Martin, try to switch to a normal meter.
"Don't worry if you can't," he adds. "Just because you're on prepay doesn't mean you can't switch suppliers." See www.moneysavingexpert.com/gaselec to compare prices.
EMAIL your problem to champ@moneysaving expert.com