Brits who’ve moved house in the last five years could be owed hundreds or thousands in unclaimed credit from energy accounts, here’s how to check and claim today.
Brits who’ve moved house in the last five years could be owed hundreds or thousands in unclaimed credit from energy accounts, here’s how to check and claim today.
Thousands of households who’ve moved house in the last five years could be sitting on a financial windfall, with forgotten funds from old energy accounts waiting to be claimed. Industry specialists warn that substantial sums lie unclaimed, with some owed upwards of £100.
Energy UK, representing suppliers across the sector, confirms that most credit balances are usually returned automatically. Nevertheless, out-of-date contact information can result in refunds being postponed or missed entirely. The ECHO reveals how to check and claim this very much-needed financial boost.
“Moving house requires a lot of life admin – and it’s understandable that some things will be missed,” said Tim Jarvis, director general for retail at Ofgem.
“But with almost two million closed accounts currently in credit, the message is clear – if you’ve moved in the last five years, reach out to your old supplier, provide them with the correct information, and you could be due a refund.”
Whilst many people may be entitled to just a nominal amount, certain households stand to reclaim hundreds or potentially thousands of pounds, rendering it thoroughly worthwhile investigating.
Energy UK advises customers to look through old letters and online communications from past providers and make direct contact if they believe credit remains outstanding. Maintaining your direct debit arrangement until the closing bill is settled also represents prudent guidance from the organisation.
According to Ofgem regulations, energy providers must issue a final bill within six weeks and process any refund within 10 working days. Delays often occur due to missing or inaccurate contact information.
In a statement published on its website, Ofgem said: “We are working closely with Energy UK and energy suppliers to make sure this money is returned to customers quickly,”.
The regulator advised: “Sign into the old account if you still have access and update your details. If you do not have access, contact your supplier directly.
“We want to change the rules to make bills more accurate. More accurate bills will help protect consumers from building large credit balances in the future. We are also looking at sharing data regularly on how many closed accounts still have credit left in them.”
With energy bills continuing to rise, it’s vital not to miss out on any potential refunds – even a small sum could help alleviate the pressure of the mounting cost of living.
- Your Money
