EON Energy has charged 1.5million customers two weeks early for their gas and electricity bills – and says the cash won’t be refunded until AFTER Christmas.
The energy giant has blamed an IT glitch for the mishap that has seen cash unexpectedly taken from households on Christmas Eve.
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Eon has said it will refund customers but not until December 29 when the payments will be processed.
The provider, which has around 3.8million customers in total, added that households will then be billed the amount on their usual payment date.
It will also refund any extra charges anyone may have incurred because of the error, such as bank overdraft fees.
But it means more than a million people have been left short of cash over the festive break.
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One customer tweeted about how they have been left overdrawn as a result.
They wrote: “@eonenergyuk so you’ve taken my direct debit out early leaving me now over drawn and most likely to get a penalty for being overdrawn, I hope your giving good compensation for this because its not acceptable at all.”
Another slammed it as an “appalling breach of trust”.
They said: “It’s not enough to say you’ll compensate for bank fees. EVERY customers affected should receive compensation regardless.
“On Xmas eve with upcoming bank holidays.”
Ally pointed out: “It doesn’t really help those who were stood outside a supermarket at 8am this morning [with] no money in their bank accounts either EON.”
It comes as millions of Brits are having to buy last minute Christmas groceries after new Tier 4 restrictions ban them from travelling to see friends and family over the festive season.
How to find out if I’ve been affected
CUSTOMERS who have been affected by the payment error will see that the cash has been taken from their bank account.
Eon is contacted all 1.5million customers who have been charged early by email.
Customers don’t need to do anything as the energy firm is working on processing the refunds automatically.
But the earliest date the cash will reach customer bank accounts will be December 29.
Households’ direct debits will then be taken on their normal payment date.
Others have been calling for compensation for the inconvenience caused by the mishap.
Andrew said: “As a loyal customer, I certainly hope we get some sort of compensation.
“Personally, this has taken me into my overdraft.”
Eon doesn’t have to legally offer customers compensation for incidents like this and so far it hasn’t answered any calls to.
The energy provider told The Sun that customers who have been wrongfully charged do not need to do anything as the cash will be automatically refunded.
It said it is email all customers who have been affected by the IT glitch and anyone who is unable to wait for a refund should contact their bank directly for help.
An E.ON spokesperson said: “Due to an IT issue, we have inadvertently taken Direct Debit payments early from some of our customers.
“We are sorry for this error and are taking steps to contact affected customers where we can, as well as putting information about the issue on our website and social media channels.”
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