Millions of “ghost” customers not paying gas or electricity bills

By Tony Stevens, 22nd February 2010

Millions of households aren't paying their gas or electricity bills because they either cannot identify their utility provider, have not been acknowledged as customers or have moved house without paying.

Research by comparison website, moneysupermarket.com, has discovered 2.9 million 'ghost' households in Britain that have managed to slip through the net of utility suppliers.

The research reveals nearly one million homes are failing to pay their energy bills.

Half of these homes are not paying their utility bills because they have not been acknowledged by any utility supplier as customers, or because they cannot identify who their supplier is despite trying.

Scott Byrom, utilities manager for moneysupermarket.com said: "Our research reveals nearly a million Brits manage to slip through the net and escape paying for their gas and electricity. Whether this is by deliberately keeping a low profile, or just being lost by their supplier, I would advise against staying invisible - you could find you are landed with a hefty bill when your provider finally catches up with you."

Mr. Byrom warned consumers that a long period of non-payment could cause complications with the amount owed, especially if proof of usage, such as meter readings, is not retained.

"From a billing point of view, a supplier can only charge you retrospectively for the past 12 months of energy used but at today's prices this could see you incur a bill of around £1,200," he said.

1.1 million householders have managed to evade payment when moving house, leaving behind their energy bills for incoming tenants.

A further 1.1 million householders have managed to evade payment when moving house, leaving behind their energy bills for incoming tenants.

The research reveals that those under the age of 30 have the biggest problem identifying their provider.

Mr. Byrom said: "The problem of 'ghost' customers seems to be a common occurrence with younger people who move around frequently and live in urban areas."