[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

Absolutely,also I think the Govt needs to ensure the regulator looks at an issue that gets brushed under the carpet.
I have in the last 3 months been made aware of the problems people have with pre-paid energy meters.
On the face of it they seem a good idea but in reality they are,in my view,from talking to people who have them a big problem,especially it seems if you have outstanding debt with the companies,of whom British Gas are far and away the worst from what I have had people tell me.

The worry for me on this is that a good number of elderly and sick and disabled have these contraptions.
My own view is that I would outlaw them, minimal payments for outstanding debt should be taken from wages or benefits if the consumer doesn't keep payments up on the pre paid meter.

What is unacceptable to me that I have found and had shown to me by a few consumers that have them is that for example, if you have ones of these dangerous things, in my view, put in because of non payment of bills over time in full.
Then say you were told to pay £8 a week for your gas or electricity but for whatever reason you somehow didn't make the regular payments so arrears on arrears accrued. It would take evertime you topped up, the payment for debt but then would also take £1 or more every night that there was credit on the meter for the arrears on arrears.

Of course energy companies have to be paid but but this seems to me not a good way to go about things. As I said, I would take the debt payments from benefits and likely wages too,thereby ensuring the companies got their payments and that whatever was put on the pre paid meter was solely for gas or electricity use.
Energy costs are high for everyone,I accept that but from my new knowledge of these pre paid meters,I would get rid of them and fast.

I am with british gas and have a prepayment meter... can't get rid of it, they refuse to remove it and fit a credit meter.
I threatened to leave but they didn't care, I was ill recently and the gas went, It had used up £20 in 2 days! the top up shop was closed.
No wonder people are dying!
Link payments to pensions if need be but get rid of meters