When OVO took over SSE I was prepared for a messy transition but actually it`s all gone well. Smart meters installed 2015 and it seems like that`s the way to go for accurate readings. Downloading bills helps keep an eye on costs.

When things go wrong it can be a huge worry as there is no way of altering a utility DD. My sister`s farming business will have to call in the Ombudsman at some stage as her supplier is not responding to requests to reduce a £1k/ month DD. We are led to believe that with DD we are in control. Not entirely correct!

Giving a supplier/service provider a continuous payment authority through your debit card leaves you with full rights to cancel via the card issuer and not the supplier.

A surprisingly clear notice regarding this was issued by the FCA : https://www.fca.org.uk/n...ies-it-your-right-cancel.

If the Humble Cheque is so easily made the vehicle of fraud why has fraud and scams increased astronomically in recent years, when cheques are rarely used, and the payment by 'phone or online has become the norm?

IMO payment by cheque rather than telephone or online banking would reduce fraud and scamming. Cheque books continue to be withdrawen, not for safely reasons IMO, but because it enables the banks to shed staff, lower costs and therefore make more profit.

Had a call with shell and they agreed that my DD will be set to take what i actually use - this was 10 days ago.

Today I get an email reading as follows

" As all meters eventually do, your electricity meter has reached the end of its lifetime, so we need to replace it with a new one. The good news is, we’ll upgrade your old meter to a smart meter, free of charge. While we’re there, we can also upgrade your gas meter to a smart meter.

Smart meters come with an in-home display unit (IHD) that shows you how much energy you’re using. This makes it easier to see where you’re using the most energy, which can help you use less....."

I have never heard of such a thing as meters coming to an end. If fact when I had my place rebuilt a decade ago, I was told that there is no point in changing the meters (gas of electric) as these simply let the energy companies know what I use.

Are forum members aware of such claims of meters ending, or is it a case that they are simply trying to get me to change over.

I have been resisting the change on the basis that there was a case in some other part of the world where it transpired that an energy company had asked all its consumers to change to fancy electric meters as opposed to old mechanical ones. During the hearing the lawyer pulled in the CEO and asked what the benefit to the consumers were and whey there was a need for a tiny blue light in the meters...... long story short it transpired that the meters were drawing energy and as such this was costing money. Although the charge was minuscule the lawyer asked the CEO if they were to multiply the minuscule figure by the number of meters in action what that would amount to annually for the energy company.

Hence 'for the benefit of the consumer' was quickly as put aside as was the issue of budgeting, as in that part of the world, people had to go into the bank and pay the monthly bills on time or be cut off immediately. People now disgusted were quick to lobby and change supplier immediately. The company has since then been still trying to acquire the consumers back by gimmicks such as free led bulbs, employing local people to go and read meters etc.

"As all meters eventually do, your electricity meter has reached the end of its lifetime, so we need to replace it with a new one. The good news is, we’ll upgrade your old meter to a smart meter, free of charge. While we’re there, we can also upgrade your gas meter to a smart meter."

I had the same from Octopus just over a year ago. As my Meters were over 20 years old I changed.
Actually, my text said "are approaching the end of their lifetime.