if a big organisation makes a mistake with your account can they claim money back five years later?

Question

scottish power sent me a statement of my account saying i was 400.00 in credit with them. i phoned them up to see how i claim it back and they said that the statement they sent me was invalid as my meter hadnt been updated in five years and that i was on the wrong tariff. they requested a new reading and contacted me a week later and said that the meter was definetly on the wrong setting and that i now owe them money a total of £155.39.do i have to pay this back or do i tell them to stick it where the sun don't shine.they have been to my house to reset my meter to the new tariff or so i thought but they havent they set it slightly higher to reclaim the outstanding balance as well.where do i stand with these people as it was there mistake to begin with.please give me some answers as it is stressing me out.

Answer 1

Unfortunately for you, yes they can. the statute of limitations is 6 years

Answer 2

I had a similar problem with Scottish Power last year. I resolved it by getting my MP involved. Give it a try and see what happens and then switch your power supplier.

There's no easy way around these big companies. They are a law unto themselves. You always end up paying for their incompetence and you have no voice whatsoever other then your MP - so use them.

Answer 3

I don't know what the laws are like in Scotland, but who do you think has more power and weight in this situation? Are you willing to go through a lot more aggravation and grief for £155.39 (which you do owe them fair and square)?

Just pay it and move on.

Answer 4

proberly just say that you can only afford a £1.00 per month thay have to except

Answer 5

go to site www.moneysavingexperts.com they should be able to help you.