I moved into a new property in March, transferred my existing account for gas supply with Southern Electric to the new property and paid ERG (incumbent supplier with previous occupier) for supply during transition. After a few weeks BG started sending me bills, threats to cut me off and now advise that legal action is being taken - and that my credit rating will be effected; not that 'The Occupier' at the property, for which they have the address wrong anyway, will care. This is a clear attempt to extort money from people - to harass and intimidate them into switching to British Gas and/or pay them money they don't owe. Quite unbelievable. All attempts on my part to stem the tide of threats have proved futile so far - I await the visit from the bailiff.

Ed Cole, Bath, AVON

My son bought a house over 2 years ago with a sealed off gas pipe, and no meter. On numerous occasions BG sent bills for gas despite him telephoning and writing to them several letters. They then sent a letter stating they were going to get the police to accompany them so they could enter the property to read the meter... there is no meter! After several attempts to ring BG he eventually got through to be told to ignore the letter and that there would be no more problems. This weekend he received a letter saying a warrant for £361 was being actioned for unpaid bills, and this could only be stopped by paying £80 immediately. He risks having his credit rating damaged by the ineptitude of British Gas, who are impossible to get hold of in under 30 minutes on the phone, do not keep their word, and cannot be trusted.

I have also had to adminster 3 executors estate myself and have had threatening letters from months after settling final bills.

David Adams, Stratford-upon Avon, Warwickshire

My experience with scottish /british gas is appauling!
I live in a small 2 bedroom flat, we hardly have on heating, we hardly live here but for gas and electric its £516!
We paid our bills on time then because we never received our bill we were hit with a "fee" that no staff member seems to be able to identify why but can see it on the account.
We are on monthly payments and they randomly request amounts outside our payment plan as well as moving money across my accounts and made one of our accounts go into debt!

Service is appauling! i hate british gas and now complaining to energy watch

shell, glasgow,

I had the same problem with the cancelled direct debit in February. A threatening letter of demand for payment for more than the amount due(Jan direct debit payment not included). I was moving away from the property in Leatherhead so the final account would resolve the situation.
However, I live overseas and 2 years ago requested British Gas to send correspondence and accounts to the BFPO address - other utilities managed this but British Gas never sent any accounts to my BFPO address.
I phoned on 27th February with details of the final meter reading the advisor asked if I no longer required gas at "Christ Church" my overseas address - they had details of the address. British Gas have not yet sent the final account to this address - I have not received a final account.I have written to the customer services at ADMAIL (I cannot access the 0845 tel overseas)I am not withholding payment. Letters of demand threatening legal action have been sent to Leatherhead. I am dissatisfied.

susan siddall, naples, italy

As the executor for my late father's estate I sold his property in Bucks on 30 March. I had no problems settling the accounts with any of the utilities - bar one, British Gas. As of today - 5 long distance phone calls with an average waiting time of 15 minutes from Denmark later - British Gas have still not been able to issued a final account based on the closing readings supplied. Instead they presented estimated accounts only and insisted on payment despite having all the details on five separate occasions. After refusing to pay the estimated account, I was then threatened with legal and admin charges of nearly £400. I finally paid the estimate out of sheer exasperation on 14 May and was told that British Gas would be sending a final account within 6-8 weeks.
If this is what Mr Bentley considers to be 'great customer service' then he can think again!
Never fear I will be joining the 40,000 + people on the Energywatch list looking for compensation. Robin Worrall, Copenhagen

Robin Worrall, Copenhagen, Denmark

I hope that Gazprom is taking notes.

Running on Empty, Gerrards Cross, Leafy Bucks

The billing system has no provision for people who want to pay early because of holidays.
We tried this, and no bill arrived ater 10 working days. We requested a copy, waited 10 working days - no bill.
We requested another copy, and received a RED one in two days. We paid using plastic (against our wishes) and a week later received a copy bill.
Not at all customer friendly.

Robert Marshall, Glasgow,