Interesting week - electrically speaking. Received my reply from Rodger Jeffries, and unsurprisingly he found in favour of the Ombudsman's service. He feels the Ombudsman Service carried out a good investigation of my case. This is despite several points made by me which are irrefutable. For example in Scottish Power's statement to the Ombudsman they maintain that they sent me bills during the period 1999 to 2001. Yet, a) They tell me they don't have records dating that far back due to the guidelines of the Statute of Limitations; and b) Having received all documentation regarding my case, under the Freedom of Information Act, one of the first documents we find relates reasons for non-issue of bills during the period December 1999 to July 2001. Again in their statement to the Ombudsman - Scottish Power state that they requested I get my own independent electrician to check my wiring, but I have failed confirm that this has been carried out. In my response to the Ombudsman I sent a copy of the email I received from Rae Brown at Scottish Power acknowledging I have had an independent electrician check my wiring along with a signed statement from the electrician concerned. Thirdly Scottish Power also stated to the Ombudsman that they repeatedly sent letters to me whilst I was on direct debit between 2005 and 2006, stating that I needed to increase my payments. In response I sent copies of the letters I received with the phrase "You need do nothing" highlighted along with the dates also highlighted. However despite this electric companies generally increase your payments without making a direct request to you anyway - borne out in the many forums there are on the subject. The Ombudsman essentially accepted everything Scottish Power said and nothing we said. Regrettably Rodger Jeffries sees this as a "good Investigation". I sincerely hope I never encounter a poor investigation then!!
I also have an admission by Scottish Power that indeed my usage appears too high indicating a fault somewhere. But they don't know where. In one sense this makes me happy, however if they are aware that there is the potential for my claim to be correct, why are they still demanding all the money they are demanding? And why aren't they looking for the fault, or forcing Power Systems to look for the fault? I would have thought that the 2 burnt fuses in the space of 2 years at the main cable head was proof enough of where the fault may be. Combine that with my high bills and my neighbours (where the faulty cable head is) high bills £1600.00 and them being pensioners, it doesn't take a genius to put the facts together and come up with the answer.
