Hmm.. Jalexa is right they used to be pretty hot on customer service but I'm hearing mroe and more of how this is changing. There is a system of verication for meter readings but it is only as accurate as the data available. I notice the OP has only provide a few readings - if readings for previous occupants are all over the place or non existant a "baseline" wouldn't have been able to be created so just about anything would be accepted.

Given the new infomation it would appear the OP is right that there has been a simple mis-read, those old fashioned meters are an absolute nightmare to get right but Jalexa has given some great advice on how to be doubly sure of the reading, its a shame soemthing as simple as this was not picked up earlier by one of their operatives.

Lizcole:Hi, I'm happy to name and shame... It's Southern Electric. Liz

Ha, a trading name of Scottish and Southern Energy. Always trumpeting their top satisfaction rating. Make them earn it.

Hi Liz,

To be honest it's something from my time in utility complaints that I know affects all the suppliers, however that is a particularly poor example of customer service there. If you fail to get anywhere with their complaints procedure and believe you may have a case, you can contact Consumer Focus to take it further after Southern Electric's deadline has run out. Don't be afraid to take the fight to them.

mrstella0:

1000 units in one quarter is an abnormally high amount of usage, and the customer services rep (who should be trained in these things) should have spotted it.

possibly a typo, its 10,000 not 1000

Should have been picked up as you say. The poster should name and shame the supplier.

Lizcole:

Thank you both for your great advice.. I am now thinking that this is a misread- my husband read the meter, and I have gone in and looked myself and it doesn't look like the pointer is actually on the one on the first dial. It's close to it, but I don't think it's reached it yet. If it is even a milimeter away, I have to take the lower number right? It's very very close but I don't think it's there. It's so difficult to read though! Hopefully this will be resolved and I will complain though that they issued the bill on the dodgy reading.

You need to be guided by the previous dial. So if the previous dial is 7 then the next dial should be (approx) 70% between 0 and 1, but still less than 1.

Hi Liz,

1000 units in one quarter is an abnormally high amount of usage, and the customer services rep (who should be trained in these things) should have spotted it.

At any rate, even in the unlikely circumstance that the bill is correct, utility companies are not like credit card companies. They must give you time to pay in a way that is achievable for yourself. If you have any trouble instigate a complaint (recorded letter) with the customer services director. During this time, they will have to freeze collection of the outstanding amount. Look up their code of conduct to find out exactly how long they have to reply and resolve.

Thank you both for your great advice.. I am now thinking that this is a misread- my husband read the meter, and I have gone in and looked myself and it doesn't look like the pointer is actually on the one on the first dial. It's close to it, but I don't think it's reached it yet. If it is even a milimeter away, I have to take the lower number right? It's very very close but I don't think it's there. It's so difficult to read though! Hopefully this will be resolved and I will complain though that they issued the bill on the dodgy reading.

Thank you.

Liz

Lizcole:

Don't have a lot to add to the previous good advice.

Couple of things. I would recommend you take a photograph of you meter showing the current reading and meter serial number before the "evidence" is lost if the meter is exchanged.

Secondly this might seem a stupid question but I want to be right on this, do you agree the meter currently indicates a reading in excess of 17672?

I don't think you mentioned the name of your current supplier. Care to name and shame?

I am VERY surprised that the supplier's billing system accepted the 17672 as a valid reading. Regardless of whether its right (unlikely) or not I'm really surprised the system didn't flag it as supect. Is that a meter reader reading or a customer reading BTW?

Once this issue is sorted as I expect it will be, I suggest you consider raising that specific issue as a complaint strictly in accordance with the suppliers code of practice on complaints.

Hi Lizcole,

Well the first thing to do is not panic, I know its easier said than done, but if you can try and relax and we'll try and help you ge tthis situation resolved.

Its a good thing that so many of your readings were "actual readings" it really helps the situation. Were these "actual" readings taken or confirmed by you? do they match the reading you moved in on/changed upplier on? Additionally do you have an older meter where you have the vertical dials as you would see on an older car's speedo? rather than a meter with an electronic display?

If you have I beleive what has happened is one of the dials has slipped. For example when the dial recording thousands of units has attempted to progress its "slipped" and in doing so has caused the 10000 register to advcance as well.

Hi, I hope someone can help as I am having kittens about a huge electricity bill we have received for £1281 for a 3 month period. We are a family of two adults and two children.

Our bill 10 Feb 2009- 12 May 2009 was based on two actual readings from 4088 the previous bill to 5451 that quarter. We used 1363 units and paid £165. The next bill was based on an estimated reading of an estimate to 6 August 2009, they estimated 6244 so guessed we had used 793 units that quarter and we paid £95.61. I have just had a bill for the period to 6 November 2009 and the reading has shot to 17672 and supposedly we have used 11428 units since the last actual reading of 5451 Even supposing the last estimate was slightly out, this is still almost quadruple the most electricity we have ever used. They are going to come and check the meter but I am worried sick that they will find nothing wrong with it. Can anyone suggest what might have gone wrong here. We have gas central heating so no storage heaters, immersion or anything. I am home all day, but I have been for several years and the bill for last winter via npower was based on actual readings and was £300. I'm freaking out here, and frightened to even turn the lights on!

Thank you for your help.

Liz