One of the “Big Six” energy suppliers, British Gas, has recently been accused of wrongly imposing exit fees on more than 94,000 customers in the UK. The company has reportedly paid out £2.65m after regulator Ofgem found about the overcharging of numerous households.
Customers were overcharged by British Gas when moving onto a new supplier after being onto a more expensive standard variable rate tariff, paying for switching suppliers £782,450. Moreover, the energy supplier wrongly informed clients that exit fees were chargeable during the 49-day switching period and incorrectly charged fixed-deal customers.
“British Gas failed its customers who were coming to the end of their fixed contracts and switched supplier by unfairly penalising them and applying charges in error. Many more customers could have been deterred from getting a better deal due to the incorrect terms and conditions” commented Anthony Pygram, the director of conduct and enforcement at Ofgem.
> Maria Baeva
