Coronavirus: UK energy firms still using debt collectors despite pandemic
Energy suppliers in the UK have continued to use debt collectors, even after they agreed with the government to support customers in financial distress during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the Guardian, customers have been targeted by debt collectors and warned that action may be taken against them if they don’t pay their bills.
In one letter, Shell Energy warned a customer that arrangements could be made for a collection agent to to visit their home to recoup an outstanding balance of £78.51 ($97.58).
The letter, which was sent several weeks after the government and the energy industry issued a joint statement pledging to support vulnerable people during the crisis, told the customer that their details could be shared with credit reference agencies.
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“Many customers will have been financially impacted by the coronavirus, so it is concerning to hear that any energy supplier is using debt collectors to place pressure on customers who could be struggling during this difficult time,” said Natalie Hitchins of consumer group Which?
In a statement to the Guardian, Shell Energy (RDSA.L) said that the issuance of a letter from a debt collection company was “a last-resort attempt to engage with a customer and only after we’ve repeatedly asked them to get in contact to see how we can help.”
British Gas (CNA.L) and Ovo Energy, the UK’s largest energy suppliers, told the Guardian that they would continue to use debt collectors, noting that they had instructed them to offer financial help on their behalf.
E.on UK (EOAN.DE) said that, while debt collectors acting on its behalf would continue to pursue long-standing debts, the company would not hand over new customer details to debt collection agencies.
In March, suppliers and the government agreed that customers who may not be in a position to add credit to pre-payment meters could discuss ways to continue being supplied with energy, benefitting four million customers.
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More generally, the firms agreed to support any energy customer in financial distress, noting that debt repayments and bills could be “reassessed, reduced or paused where necessary.”
Disconnection of credit meters was also completely suspended under the agreement.
“The guidance is quite clear that energy suppliers must consider whether their customers are in financial difficulty and whether they can offer assistance,” said Ed Dodman, a director at the Energy Ombudsman.
“This is not a carte blanche for customers to avoid paying bills but suppliers should be sensitive to the circumstances of their customers on a case by case basis.”
