OAP hounded over gas giant's bill he has proof of paying
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A fed-up pensioner is being bombarded with threatening letters from British Gas – despite promptly paying a bill for boiler parts.
Retired civil servant Ken Whyte says the upsetting “harassment” by the energy giant is all for a £29.99 sum paid months ago.
The 78-year-old from Inverness insists he has always been scrupulous in paying household bills.
But since October nine letters – including two threats of legal action – have dropped through his letterbox at Holm Farm Road in Culduthel.
For months, Mr Whyte’s best efforts at resolving the matter have failed, despite him having proof of payment.
“It’s been distressing for me, very frustrating. I’d say it amounts to harassment,” Mr Whyte told the Highland News.
This week, after the HN intervened, the company offered to cancel the bill “as a gesture of goodwill”, but maintained he had failed to pay.
The infuriated pensioner has now reported the firm to the industry ombudsman.
Back in the autumn, Mr Whyte decided to sign up to the British Gas HomeCare service, which offers cover for boiler breakdowns.
He first had to get his boiler serviced, with one part costing £142.50 and a new carbon monoxide detector costing £29.99.
No invoice arrived, but two “non-payment” letters soon did.
Mr Whyte immediately sent a £172.49 cheque for the total, writing reference numbers on the back as instructed and taking photographic proof as a precaution.
But on October 20 and 24, Mr Whyte received two “overdue” letters from British Gas, before a threat of debt collection on November 5.
After calling an automated helpline, a Scottish Gas-headed letter on November 15 promised to resolve the matter within eight weeks. British Gas and Scottish Gas are both trading names of Centrica, the UK’s largest energy supplier.
But to Mr Whyte’s dismay, a December 19 letter then said the account had been passed to a debt collection agency.
Letters on January 8 and 16 were even more disturbing, with English-based solicitors Judge & Priestley threatening court action.
Last week, British Gas staff finally called in person to say they had no record of payment and asked him to send his bank statement, which he is reluctant to do.
Mr Whyte said: “I’m fed up of British Gas and their behaviour.
“I think they put my original cheque against the larger sum, but not the £29.99.
“My middle name is David and this has felt like David versus Goliath.
“I’m lucky I still have some of my marbles, but what if this happened to more vulnerable old folk?”
A British Gas spokeswoman insisted the £29.99 sum remained outstanding but added: “As a gesture of goodwill, we can cancel the invoice and offer compensation between £30-50 to recognise the inconvenience caused.”
A defiant Mr Whyte, however, is refusing to accept the offer. He said: “I’m not going to be excused for something I didn’t do.”
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