TalkRADIO presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer has complained about increasing direct debit payments. She accused EDF of 'inventing' electricity meter readings that do not match the actual reading.
In a tweet, the presenter uploaded a screenshot of her electricity payments over the past four months. The screenshot revealed that her bills rose sharply from £178 in February to £1,054 in March. This also continued throughout the month of April.
Ms Hartley-Brewer said in frustration: “When your energy supplier decides to invent an electricity meter reading for your home one day, then ‘adjusts’ your direct debit payments to SIX TIMES the previous month and, two months later, you're still giving meter readings to try to convince them they're wrong. That.”
Read more: Nottingham weather today as UK set for hottest day of the year as Spanish plume hits
It comes as energy watchdog Ofgem has launched an investigation into claims that firms are ripping off customers through direct debits in order to ease cashflow problems. Firms are facing an increase in oil and gas prices which they may potentially pass on to customers.
Since the energy increased by up to 54 percent in April, customers have seen huge increases in their energy bills. Experts have encouraged customers to take and submit meter readings in order to prevent unexplainable direct debits.
Chief Executive of Ofgem, Jonathan Brearley, stated that “bad practices” are being identified, with households facing “massive increases” in their bills. Mr Brearley had concerns that “some suppliers may have been increasing direct debit payments by more than is necessary”.
He said suppliers “have been using these balances to prop up their finances”. Mr Brearley pointed out other bad practices by suppliers such as “directing customers to tariffs that may not be in their best interest”.
He added: “We have also seen troubling stories about the way some vulnerable customers are being treated when they fall into difficulties.” Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng confirmed the initiation of compliance reviews by Ofgem on Tuesday. He said that “some suppliers have been increasing direct debits beyond what is required”.
He warned the regulator would "not hesitate to swiftly enforce compliance, including issuing substantial fines”. Speaking on Times Radio, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Britain is facing “a big spike in energy prices and we need to fix that”. The Express contacted EDF for comment.
