Portsmouth man slams gas and electric firm SSE after it gives him the runaround switching his meter

Stephen Sizer, 40, first contacted SSE on February 18 as he wanted to switch from his pay-as-you-go account to a better value monthly tariff.

An engineer visited his home in Gisors Road, Milton, on March 2 and installed an electric smart meter, but could not fit his gas meter as there was a problem with the signal.

As he was running out his credit due to believing he would be switched over, the engineer promised to top his account up by £40 to see him through until when the monthly meter was fitted.

However, Stephen had problems receiving this credit, and problems booking an engineer to return to do the work, meaning he ran down to his last 50p making him fearful of putting on his heating, having a bath or running hot water in case it cut off.

After calling SSE several times, and being promised call backs which never materialised, or being cut off, he eventually got in touch with The News.

He said: ‘The company has caused me unnecessary stress.

‘They don’t know what pressures their customers may be under. I know people who would not be able to sort something like this out.

‘It is not right. Not being able to talk to a manager made be feel like I was being fobbed off. It felt like they didn’t want to deal with the problem.

‘I have been with them for 15 years but now I really don't want to be with them any more.’

Stephen, a painter and decorator, said his main reason for switching was because he has struggled to find work throughout lockdown - and he needed to save money.

However he said this situation has caused his existing depression to flare up.

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He said: ‘They knew I was struggling. I live on my own and have mental health issues, during this lockdown I am struggling, like many other people are.

‘Companies should not be allowed to behave like this.’

After being contacted by The News, an engineer visited his house on Tuesday and fitted the meter.

A spokesperson for SSE Energy Services said: ‘We’ve apologised to Mr Sizer for the inconvenience and can confirm his gas credit meter has been installed and we’re working on remotely switching the electric meter from pre-payment to credit mode shortly.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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