HN ACTION: British Gas finally pipes up with apology for wrongly bombarding Inverness pensioner with cash demands and legal threats
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A pensioner who was threatened with court action by British Gas over a bill he paid months ago has finally won a full apology.
From October last year, retired civil servant Ken Whyte (78) was bombarded with non-payment and legal letters after the energy giant accused him of owing them £29.99.
Despite holding payment proof in bank statements and a photograph of the cheque sent, Mr Whyte was accused of failing to pay in full for new boiler parts.
When the HN intervened in early February, British Gas offered to write off Mr Whyte’s “debt” and credit him with £50 as a gesture of goodwill, but refused to accept their mistake.
Mr Whyte, who has always been scrupulous in paying bills, declined the offer as he felt it would be tantamount to accepting guilt. Now, after another five weeks, British Gas has told him he was right all along.
The widower said: “I’m very grateful to the Highland News for taking this up on my behalf. It has been very upsetting and frustrating being accused of something I didn’t do.”
The saga started when Mr Whyte asked to sign up to British Gas’s HomeCare service and had to get his boiler at Holm Farm Road serviced.
He paid for a new part costing £142.50 and for a carbon monoxide detector costing £29.99 with one cheque for £172.49. The firm claimed he had not paid for the detector.
Mr Whyte added: “They finally called this week to offer a full apology. My money was found in some account. It is just a huge relief.”
Through our HN Action campaign, we can look into a situation on your behalf. Email newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk
OAP hounded over gas giant's bill he has proof of paying
