A Newcastle man has been left feeling "shocked" and "appalled" after an energy company sent him an electricity bill for more than £4,000.
Christopher Barnes, who lives in a one-bedroom flat in Jesmond, said his last Ovo bill, which he paid on October 11 this year, was £59.82. The 58-year-old couldn't believe his eyes when he received another bill, earlier this month, for £4,190.77.
Christopher said there was no explanation as to why the bill was so high and he had to contact Ovo, who have recently taken over SSE, to find out. He said the company claimed the bill, which was sent to him on November 10, had come from a balance adjustment from SSE.
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Christopher, who is disabled, said: "I felt absolutely shocked and I couldn't believe it was real. There's no way I would be able to afford it. I knew straight away that I would be phoning them up, complaining and fighting it because it is so extreme. It's like being mugged!
"If they are doing this to lots of different people then they are causing huge amounts of distress. There are vulnerable customers who might pay that or commit suicide because of a bill like that.
"It can really affect their mental health. It could terrify them if they already have lots of debt. It could tip them over the edge into suicide.
"I'm absolutely appalled. I can't believe that is legal and, if it is, it certainly shouldn't be. I think they are profiting off the energy crisis."
Christopher said he has always entered his metre readings and paid his bills on time. He said he was advised by Ovo, via an online chat, that the amount was due to a "balance adjustment" from SSE but he hasn't been able to get in touch with them over the phone.
Christopher, who previously worked in hospitality, added: "I thought it was a joke, I didn't believe for one minute it could be real. I don't get a reply when I contact them, they are expecting me to pay it!
"I had to contact someone at the company to find out I had been overcharged. If it isn't a mistake, it's definitely their fault. If they overcharged me by such a huge amount it's their calculations that have been wrong, not mine!
"I have been putting my meter readings in online and passing them on to the company. I do that when asked to do so. I have been able to pay the bills so far, but that hasn't been easy."
An OVO spokesperson said: "We are very sorry to Mr Barnes for the shortfalls in service. We can confirm his account is now up to date and we’ve offered a goodwill gesture for the inconvenience caused."
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