An 80-year-old widow has told of her fears of rising energy bills after being sent a £5,000 gas bill. Clarice Brown says she has already had bailiffs at her door over the bill.
And with prices set to rise the grandmother says she struggles to sleep at night as she is so worried, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Clarice, from Gateacre, near Liverpool, lives alone following the death of her husband James Stanley five years ago. Shortly after the 81-year-old died of fibrosis of the lung, Clarice was sent the bill by Scottish Power.
Since then she has tried countless times to discover the reason for the massive bill but says she cannot get them to give her an answer. Five years on, her issue is still not resolved and she has no way to pay her gas bill.
The nan-of-two told how she was sent a letter telling her she owed the company £5,517 on October, 10, 2017.
She told the ECHO: "I always pay my bill. I have never had a problem before this. I don't know what this bill is but it keeps coming to me. I've had to pay it over the years and I still have £3,000 left.
"I am just terrified over these new energy prices. They have already sent the bailiffs out to me. I can't sleep. I live on my own and I am constantly worried. They kept telling me they would sort it out and they didn't.
"I am so upset. I had to go to the housing officer and now I have an ombudsman case. They offered me £150 compensation but I am still to pay the £,3000 left over but it's not my bill, I get my bill at the same time for £300. I don't know why I have to pay this.
"I asked if they could see the bill on their computer and they said no but I still get these letters. I am just so worried. I live alone, what am I supposed to do. At first I only asked for it to be stopped and for an apology but I received a letter that I am black listed from getting a phone or television.
"I am so confused. I know about my own bill and I am just terrified about the future. In the covid lockdown no one answered me when I couldn't even go to the shop to pay on my card."
Clarice's housing welfare officer from Plus Housing Dane confirmed her situation. The spokesperson explained she received bills asking for thousands and she was continuing to pay for it despite receiving two separate bills under two account numbers.
The officer confirmed they sent off receipts dating back to 2012 proving she paid her bills every month on a card at the post office when her pension came through. Clarice has not paid any gas debts for the last 12 months because she has not received a bill.
The letters are both addressed to where Clarice lives but only one account, which claims her bill is £300, states her name. The other, which claims her bill is £5,000, is addressed to 'the occupier'. Clarice has requested for a new gas card which allows her to pay her bills to the correct account but has not yet received a response or a new card for more than 12 months.
Scottish Power said: "We're working closely with Ms Brown and all relevant parties as we move through the Ombudsman's process on this. We'll be in a position to offer a response when the process is completed."
Clarice showed the ECHO the ombudsman's case and application. The application which requested an apology, a breakdown of what she owes from when and a payment of £150 goodwill has not received a decision. It was submitted more than six months ago on March 2, 2022.
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