Forum Topic

I'm trying to prove to Powergen Electricity..that I've paid

Help and advice is sought!!Last October,late in the night, I phoned the Powergen Call Centre to pay a Gas and an Electricity Bill by debit card from my bank account.A lady assistant dealt with my call and subsequently.. when my bank statement arrived..I was able to see that both transactions.had been debited to my account... Gas £62.56 and Electricity £136.87.Some months ago, a debt collector called at my home chasing the £136.87...I showed him the statements..he took notes...and off he went. Pleasant chap..good chat.. he said that more than 10% of Powergen customers NEVER pay their bills!Later..seeing the £136.87 still shown as outstanding on subsequent bills, I phoned Powergen, and the chap noted what I said..but instructed me to contact my Bank and ask them to search for a payment code..(different from the one on my bank statement).I told Powergen that two payments had been made at the same time...couldn't they check their records..and not waste my time!The bank said it would a longish process..and they'd look for any extra information regarding the debit card payment..and where the bank had sent it. The Bank haven't replied yet..and I might get charged by them too!.Today,I have received from Powergen's debt collection agency a letter to say they are going to Court on 23rd June to obtain a Warrant to enter my home etc etc.Anyone else have problems with Powergen Accounts dept....and do you have any advice...It will be a pain to have to engage solicitors or to give up my lay-in to attend Court at 9.30am!  

Jim Lawes ● 7267d10 Comments

Kim,Thanks for that little gem of information...can't wait for an opportunity to try it!

Ann S. Allridge ● 7267d

I've heard that this also works if you push the 'hache' key twice. I've tried it and it sometimes works, but without a control (ie, what would happen if you just continued to hold) I have no idea if it's just the equivalent of pressing the 'wait' button at a pedestrian crossing - a placebo?

Holly Hodges ● 7267d

Splendid suggestions everyone...and many thanks.Aren't these Forum's helpful?

Jim Lawes ● 7267d

Sounds like a rum do Jim, you poor soul. I would be tempted to have my day in court if I were you and let them go to the trouble and expense that costs so that you can show the judge your proof and ask for expenses for the day(food,travel,cost of phone calls)and an amount(suggest £75)money for causing you stress and inconvenience over this period.

Keith Iddon ● 7267d

I heard an engineer who used to set up these systems for large companies ring into a radio station to disclose this little gem of information and I have tried it a number of times and its worked!When you get through to the automated service on your (for example) Credit card company... when it runs through the 50 different options you have or when it has you listening to music that is best suited for dirty movies (not that i would know) for an eternity... keep pressing the 0 (zero) button about 10 times.You will then jump straight to the front of the phone queue. The guy said that not all automated systems have this option but alot do. He said its to help the angry caller who doesnt want to wait 20 minutes and keeps pushing buttons in frustration! The first time i tried it was when my boss was on the phone to his credit card company and complaining that he had been waiting 10 minutes.. i told him to try it and he went through to someone a couple of seconds later. I have tried it on another 3 occasions and its worked 2 out of 3 times for me. So give it a go!

Kim Littlewood ● 7267d

"Sorry, I didn't understand that.  Will you please repeat."! ... we must share the same bank, Ann!

Sarah Felstead ● 7267d

Jim,Sorry to learn of your bit of bother...most of these big corporations/services are staffed by robots these days...."If you want to pay a bill, dial 1"  "If you wish to report a fault, dial 2," etc. etc.  If you swear with exasperation, the robot says, "Sorry, I didn't understand that.  Will you please repeat."If all else fails, I am starting a thread titled "Annie's Charities", and will seek donations initially for:  (i)  Jim's Powergen Bill, (ii)  Forum Get Together Fund, (iii) Brentford Carnival Fund...Seriously though, good luck in your battle with the Bank and Powergen.

Ann S. Allridge ● 7267d

What a ridiculous situation!I would only advise that whenever you make payments over the phone/online etc you always ask for a reference no and name of person you spoke to and i also write down the time i made the payment as most of them record their telephone calls dont they?I had an issue with Southern Electric once when i had made a payment for gas and electric and they put both payments against the gas bill. I only found out when they sent me a letter stating that they were cutting my electricity in a day or two. They were very good when i called them, they apologised for making the mistake and rectified it straight away.

Kim Littlewood ● 7267d

JimTry this website:http://www.clsdirect.org.uk/index.jsp?lang=en

Paul Allen ● 7267d

Sorry to hear of this Jim, don't suppose that your Gas bill is in credit by £136.87 ... is it?

Sarah Felstead ● 7267d