Why are OVO still taking a Direct Debit, and not refunding me final credit balance when I switched away months ago?

Thanks very much. I was under the impression it was 10 working says from when I switched. I received my final bill just a few days ago (and then another one today after my phone calls to the helpline). I guess I will have to extend my overdraft again and explain to my bank why!

I’ll post a reply here if and when I actually receive my refund. I hope it doesn’t take 47 days.

If you need to get in touch in the meantime, try Live Chat at https://ovoenergy.com/help - it’s faster and generally more reliable.

If you have a final bill it shouldn’t be too long. My 47 days was from my switch, not from the final bill. 
Incidentally, if you’re that much in credit, I would suggest cancelling your direct debit - they say not to but they have your bank details so it doesn’t slow that part. 

Hi @JonOxford,

I’m sorry to hear this.

It seems our forum volunteers have already stopped by with some great advice here. 

Please let us know if you still haven’t received your refund after 10 working days from your final bill.

“ Incidentally, if you’re that much in credit, I would suggest cancelling your direct debit - they say not to but they have your bank details so it doesn’t slow that part.“

I was very annoyed to find out this morning that OVO took another £191 from my account yesterday because the direct debit was not stopped. I didn’t want to do this myself because I thought that if I did then it may prevent or at least slow down my account from being closed by OVO.

I suspect that’ll be the last one they take - after this it should stop.

I’m trying to get a refund from my bank because they had no right to take that extra payment to add to the huge pile of my money that they already have. I received an email from OVO on the 2nd August:

Hello Jon,

We’ve noticed that you’ve cancelled your Direct Debit. That means we won't be able to collect your payments.

This is not true - I did not cancel the direct debit but assumed that this was an automatic email sent because the direct debit had been cancelled by them.

It does look like an auto response. I did cancel my dd - as I suggested earlier - just after my switch as I knew that I had credit. It didn’t alter my refund (although at least they didn’t take another payment)

Hi @JonOxford,

I’m sorry to hear this.

Usually your Direct Debit would be cancelled once your final bill has been sent out. If a Direct Debit is due within the next 4 working days after it has been cancelled, unfortunately it will still leave the account. The bank requires at least 4 working days notice for any changes to Direct Debits. 

You’d get a full refund including the recent Direct Debit that was taken within 10 working days from your final bill. You’d also be able to file an indemnity claim through your bank if you’d rather go that route. They’d be able to reverse this payment. 

I apologise again for any inconvenience caused. You should hopefully have a your full refund soon.