Ovo switched customers’ accounts to a new system, whereupon my gas account disappeared from my bills. Eventually, it was discovered that my gas meter is not registered at this property, and never has been. I have lived here for 15 years and have been paying gas bills all that time.
A letter from the network operator said I’d have to pay any shortfall accumulated, which terrifies me.
I am a dyslexic single parent and find managing the household finances challenging. Six months later, it’s still unresolved and I’m only being billed for electricity so the gas debt is mounting. Now Ovo says it might not be able to take me back as a gas customer.
I just want the gas meter registered, to be paying for that account, and not worrying about unexpected bills for thousands of pounds.
CF, Dunbar
You are the owner of what is known as a “shipperless meter”. For reasons unclear, your meter point reference number disappeared from the national database, Ovo tells me, which is why your account was closed. It was an error, the company said, after I waded in.
It then managed to resurrect it in days and has said it will not charge you for the six months you were “shipperless”. Your account was reinstated with a clean slate and the meter has been registered so you officially exist, and £100 in compensation has been paid.
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