Energy regulator Ofgem has issued a warning to those on smart meters.
They warn that there is growing number of households who are being moved onto more expensive plans remotely, hiking up bills without warning. As the Express reports, energy firms can reportedly use smart meter technology to switch customers who are in debt onto a prepayment meter plan without even requiring a warrant (which is usually required to go into a house and install a prepayment meter box).
Prepayment tariffs are around six per cent more expensive than direct debit and the increase can leave households at serious risk if they have been switch to a new higher prepayment tariff.
