British Gas customers who choose to pay for their gas and electricity by fixed direct debit now have greater flexibility and control over their payment plans.
British Gas customers who choose to pay for their gas and electricity by fixed direct debit now have greater flexibility and control over their payment plans.
Britain’s largest energy company has unveiled a unique range of online tools offering direct debit customers more information about their payment plans, and more choice in the way they manage their accounts.
Full and transparent access to payment plans – the first of its kind in the UK – will help customers understand the implications of their payment schedule, and avoid overpayment, underpayment and, ultimately, debt.
British Gas customers can now:
- View their actual versus forecasted usage (in both kilowatt hours and cost)
- Check the status of their payment plan and likely year-end balance
- Increase or decrease their monthly instalments
- Make one-off payments
- Request refunds
New status indicators, using a red / amber / green system, will show whether a customer’s payments are in line with their usage, and will help the customer determine the amount by which they should increase or decrease their monthly payments to keep on track.
Customers can amend the amount of their instalment at any time, request refunds of partial amounts without affecting instalments, and make one-off payments at any time of their choosing.
Customers will also have access to all their payment information, and will be able to review and amend their bank details.
Unveiling the new online direct debit toolkit, Managing Director of Energy at British Gas, Ian Peters, said:
“We know that household budgets are under pressure, and that our customers are keen to keep the tightest possible control of what they are spending and when. That’s why we’re now offering customers new ways to manage their direct debits, helping them avoid overpaying when they don’t need or want to, but remain on track over the year and avoid the inconvenience of underpayment – or, worse, debt.”
British Gas has now begun writing to all its 2.8 million online users to highlight the new flexibility and support available.
Before the launch of the new online tools, British Gas’ direct debit customers were already benefiting from market-leading account features, including the option of payment holidays and the ability to set up direct debits online.
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British Gas