A pensioner has described her shock after her energy bill shot up from £120 a month to £4,600.
Mum-of-three Phyllis Kennedy, 73, says the total per year of £55,200 is more than four times her annual income.
She lives on a state pension of £12,000 in a modest three-bedroom bungalow in Basingstoke, Hampshire.
Phyllis, who is a widow, is with Scottish Power and says she has now been threatened with debt collectors if she doesn’t pay the massive bill.
She said the stress of the situation has had a massive impact on her life.
The huge bill comes after Ofgem hiked its price cap for someone with typical use by almost £700 last month.
Are you being charged a ridiculous amount for your energy bills? Let us know: levi.winchester@reachplc.com
Phyllis said: "I moved into the house in October and it went from £120 per month to being told it was £4,600 per month in March.
"It's a small three-bedroom bungalow and I don't understand how anyone could think I should be paying £4,600 a month. It's insane.
"They are still saying the readings are more than £4,000.
Phyllis received an email from Scottish Power in March to say her bills would be going up by £500 a year.
But on April 5 she got a text from the energy firm stating her latest bill was for £4,606.
She has called and emailed Scottish Power as well as sent pictures of her meter reading through the online chat, but said they are insisting the bill is correct.
On April 19 she paid £100 towards the huge bill but is worried her power will be switched off.
Phyllis said: "It jumped from £120 per month to £4,600 and it is very worrying when you get a text like that with a bill.
"I've been trying to get in touch with Scottish Power but I'm not tech savvy.
"They said I sent a smart meter reading in and it's £4,600 a month.
"I have sent photos, but they are insisting the bill is correct and that I owe £4,600.
"I phoned up and said 'What's happening, I haven't got £4,600' and they said it is now in the hands of the debt collectors.
"They said if I paid something they would put the debt collectors on hold, so I paid £100.
"This has been going on for a month now, and I am worried they are going to turn off my power or debt collectors will turn up at my door.
Phyllis said the smart meter was taken off a wall by engineers in March and said she thinks it may have caused a glitch.
The Mirror has contacted Scottish Power for comment.
