How do you get into debt on a PAYG top up meter?

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Hi @Jez8t3,

Apologies, try this link - https://forum.ovoenergy.com/inbox/overview

Why, when I pay for my electricity by pre-payment meter, do I have a bill for £3000, which - as far as I can see - is an estimate?

Hi @Emil Ciora ,

We can’t access accounts from here. Please call 0330 175 9669 or use Live Chat via https://ovoenergy.com/help .

Thanks for understanding

Hi @Emil Ciora,

I’m sorry to hear this.

Have you managed to contact the Support team yet so they can look into this for you? 

These threads may also be helpful:

Please keep us updated.

I am currently waiting on a smart meter installation in a no signal area so I am still on traditional pre payment meter which has served me well over the years, never had an issue with top ups etc, never been in debt with it , get an official meter reader  in twice a year so why are ovo sending me estimated bill usage ? Am in a 2 bedroom house and have actually cut back on the heating this year due to costs and the removal of the winter fuel allowance, I pay as I use so why are ovo sending me high estimates?

Morning ​@janie, hope you’re well.

Could you confirm - have OVO actually sent you a bill? If you could send a screenshot of what you’ve been sent that would be really helpful. Please remember to erase out any personal details like your full name, address, account number and meter serial number etc. Once we can see this will be able to see how we can help.

Cheers!

​@Ben_OVO 

This is my correspondence since April, you will notice a massive error in September by ovo which was rectified and an apology sent, then January predictions, then the latest April predictions. We have turned down our heating this winter due to costs and removal of the winter fuel allowance and still pay as you Go 70 pounds every week, we know exactly what we use and pay for it as we use it. We had a meter reader at the end of September and hopefully due another one shortly. I wouldn't mind your views on this.

Thanks

Hi again ​@janie,

Thanks for sending this in, very helpful and much appreciated. I can see there has obviously been huge discrepancies with the forecasted usage. I just want to put your mind at rest and say that you should take all of this with a very big pinch of salt. Because you are a Pay As You Go customer who doesn’t have smart meters, the forecasted usage won’t be correct, and we won’t be charging you for anything like the figures quoted. You’ll continue to pay via the meter itself, and we won’t be sending you a bill because you’re a Pay As You Go customer, so it’s all handled on the meter if that makes sense?

We’re regulated to send these communications to customers, but the forecasted usage figures are only as good as the data that’s put into them, so they only really become accurate when you’ve got smart meters. Try and ignore what you’ve been sent - there won’t be any bill incoming and you’ll continue to top up on the meter.

I hope this makes sense, and please do let me know if you have any other questions.

Cheers.

​@Ben_OVO 

Thanks Ben, my reasoning all along in this never ending saga is I pay as I go for exactly what I use and know what to cut back on as and when  I need to.  If and when I  ever get a smart meter installed in my no signal area I would hope for an improvement regarding estimates etc. Thanks again for your reply.