Smart meter warning: Hundreds of thousands remotely changed to more expensive tariffs

[itsnotoutthere]

Hundreds of thousands of households with smart meters have been remotely moved onto more expensive prepayment plans in the last six years, sparking outrage.

Some 350,000 homes were remotely switched in order to service debt between 2017 and 2023.

This comes as energy regulator Ofgem is preparing to redraw the rules, setting a “minimum standard” that will limit companies’ ability to force a customer to change tariff. Other campaigners are lobbying the Government to outlaw the practice entirely.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1795212/smart-meter-warning-remotely-changed-more-expensive

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/smart-meters-switched-remotely-more-expensive-tariffs/

[pellinore]

I think it only applies to people who are having problems paying their bill - so they get moved to a "pre-payment plan" (whatever that is). I suppose the alternative would be for other customers to subsidise the ones too poor or unwilling to pay the full amount.