Claiming overpayments back from utilities companies...

As the title really, does anyone know if it's possible?

I've just received a letter, stating that my electricity company owe me a sum of money. I had purposefully set up the direct debit so that the amount we paid was more than we were going to use. This was done because I wasn't exactly sure how much we'd use, and I figure an overpayment is better than an underpayment & the stress associated with them chasing us for money.

But I misjudged a fair amount, and it turns out they owe a fair wedge. They've said that this money will be deducted from future payments (meaning the Direct Debit will be amended to suit), but that means payments yo-yo-ing, and I'd rather not do that.

So, does anyone know if it's possible to claim back what you've overpaid a utilities company (even if they require a small "administration" charge - not fussed about that)?

Muchos grassios.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Happened to me a couple of times and I just phoned and said I want my money back please. Bish bosh they paid it into the same account the direct debit was coming out of.

Spend it frivolously!

Yeah - same here, the the tiggered one says - just give 'em a ring and they should be able to sort it and then amend your DD so you're not so far off the mark each month.

Done it a couple of times with my leccy, but then switch to having gas and lleccy from the same supplier and got them to switch money between the two accounts as I was over on one but just under on teh other - they offer either to do that or simply pay the overpayment back into my bank account.

Who're you with by the way - as I've heard from a mate that British Gas are a bit of a tough nut on repayments - but stick to your guns and they cave eventually.

Originally Posted by K

Who're you with by the way - as I've heard from a mate that British Gas are a bit of a tough nut on repayments - but stick to your guns and they cave eventually.

Scottish Power.

Thanks folks, I was expecting to have to argue the point.

Just to update this, I think I've been done.

From the conversation I had yesterday on the phone, it started out well. The guy sounded positive when I made the request, and it seemed like they'd be able to pay the monies direct into my account, rather than send a cheque out.

As I was chatting, he asked for a new meter reading (I was expecting this, so was prepared). Then popped me on hold for a few mins.

Then his tone changed a little, he sounded a little worried (I work in a call centre environment, it's easy to spot someone who expects to be shouted at).

It turns out, when the retar... erm guy came to read the meter in November, he took the details down wrong (economy 7 plan, low & normal readings upside down). So they had to adjust that whilst I was on hold, and after updating everything, I owe them £40.

But they're keeping the DD the same, as I'll use less over summer anyway, and I've changed to 3 monthly bills (the bill with the wedge in credit was up until last November, but we only got it the other day).

Oh well, it's money I never had, so I'll never miss, right?

[gruntygiggles]

How much were you expecting to get off them? Ask them to send proof of the incorrect reading from last year. Tell them nicley that you only have their word for it at the moment and that you would need to see proof of that reading before you accept that you owe them the money. Until that is resolved, they cannot hold onto any monies owed to you.

Regardless of overpayments, the money is yours and by holding on to it, they are effectively stealing.

I always get really suspicious when companies do things like this because it's very often just a tactic to save them having to give you back your money. Of the thousands of people that probably have the same problem, they will o doubt say this to all of them and most will just accept it, banking them A LOT of other peoples money. I've had many battles like this over the years and so long as you stay polite, but remain really firm that you will not pay without evidence of the mistake, they'll give up in the end.

Good luck mate.

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

Regardless of overpayments, the money is yours and by holding on to it, they are effectively stealing.

So long as they agree to give it back, and the "repayments" can be seen transparently, it's not theft. (I've been on the wrong end of an employer over-paying me in the past, then claiming it back, I understand The Theft Act pretty well now. )

The amount that I was owed, was a wee bit short of 4 figures. But as I said, this was back in November, before the cold weather really kicked in. It's worth me stating here too that it's an economy 7 plan, in a house with only an electric supply - no gas.

As I said above, I work in a call centre environment - specifically I'm trained to trip people up when it comes to talking about money, work out if they're lying or telling the truth (Gambling industry).

As a result of work, I'm also pretty good with numbers on the fly. I was on hold for maybe 60-90 seconds, and spent a further approx 40mins working through the figures & talking about it. I'm pretty confident that if I was being fed a line for them to keep my money, I'd of caught him out at some point.

I had the bill in front of me, and their website with current prices, so I could work out my own usage & the costs etc.

It just happens to of balanced out over the space of almost a year, which is what I wanted originally actually.

It's a little unfortunate that I didn't get to claim the money just before Christmas, but I'd of only owed them more money now if I had - hence the request for 3 monthly statements.

But thanks for the thought.

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by Baph

So long as they agree to give it back, and the "repayments" can be seen transparently, it's not theft. (I've been on the wrong end of an employer over-paying me in the past, then claiming it back, I understand The Theft Act pretty well now. )

The amount that I was owed, was a wee bit short of 4 figures. But as I said, this was back in November, before the cold weather really kicked in. It's worth me stating here too that it's an economy 7 plan, in a house with only an electric supply - no gas.

As I said above, I work in a call centre environment - specifically I'm trained to trip people up when it comes to talking about money, work out if they're lying or telling the truth (Gambling industry).

As a result of work, I'm also pretty good with numbers on the fly. I was on hold for maybe 60-90 seconds, and spent a further approx 40mins working through the figures & talking about it. I'm pretty confident that if I was being fed a line for them to keep my money, I'd of caught him out at some point.

I had the bill in front of me, and their website with current prices, so I could work out my own usage & the costs etc.

It just happens to of balanced out over the space of almost a year, which is what I wanted originally actually.

It's a little unfortunate that I didn't get to claim the money just before Christmas, but I'd of only owed them more money now if I had - hence the request for 3 monthly statements.

But thanks for the thought.

Yeah, it's a difficult one and you're right about it probably being best to have it this way than owing them money now. Always good to be in credit. The whole theft comment stems from a problem I had with Scottish Power a few years back. I moved out of my cottage, called with a the agent to giev the meter reading and was told that as I was leaving the account in credit so would be sent a cheque. Great. Two weeks later I had a letter (invoice actually) saying that I owed them over £2000 in leccy.

I called, got the agent invloved and they refused to release my funds until I paid the £2000+ bill. When I got my solicitor involved, he informed me that has I had already been invoiced correctly and left my account in credit, calling to inform that I was moving etc.....they had no right to withold my money. I can't recall the legal term now, but he took care of it.

Turns out that the farmers that owned the land and cottage tried to pass their leccy bill for the whole farm onto me. DOn;t blame them....£2000+ in 6 months is A LOT, but get a grip.....as if I would have just paid it.

Luckily, they had the conversation with her recorded where she told them I was responsible for the whole leccy bill, not just the cottage, so she got well and truly done....HAHAHA!!!