Why did power firm keep billing after my father-in-law’s death?
J.F. writes: My fatherin-law died in 2014. He had a dual fuel account with ScottishPower, paid by direct debit. I told the company of his death and submitted final meter readings. A few months later, my wife, who is the executrix, received a bill for £45, followed by one for £50, and later an estimated bill, and a year later a debt collection demand for £55, all for electricity. To date, ScottishPower has not mentioned a gas bill. FORGIVE me for summarising your letter, which goes on to explain how ScottishPower put the deceased’s account into your wife’s name and then wrote to her at her late father’s address, rather than to your own home. The company also managed to open a new account in 2015 and then issued an estimated bill for electricity used in 2014, despite being given final readings.
At one point, ScottishPower refunded £15, showing the number of the account on which it was actually demanding £55. Then there was a fresh bill showing a credit of £40, but no refund. Not surprisingly, you and your wife wound up the estate and distributed bequests without waiting for ScottishPower to sort itself out.
The company has told me: ‘We sincerely apologise for the lack of service received from us at what must have been a distressing time for the family.’
A spokesman explained that your father-in-law’s gas account was £99 in credit, though you were not informed. This was transferred to the electricity account, which was not in credit, but there was still £65 left owing to the estate. The bottom line is that ScottishPower has now sent you £140, including a goodwill gesture. The debt collectors have been called off too and you have told me you are donating the £140 to Alzheimer’s Research.