Debt Collection Warning For Those Refusing Energy Bills

Charities urge caution as nearly 100k join No Pay campaign

- Thomas Kingsley

UK charities have warned people of the serious consequences of refusing bill payments, as a campaign to stop payments draws closer to 100,000 signatures.

The Don’t Pay UK group, which is campaigning for a reduction of soaring energy bills, has gathered support from more than 91,000 people who plan to cancel their direct debit payments from 1 October.

The protest is designed to coincide with regulator Ofgem’s energy price cap rise, hiking bills for households across the country.

Analysts are forecasting that the typical customer is likely to pay £3,358 a year from October, up from £1,971 a year in April.

Tony, a volunteer with Don’t Pay, told BBC Radio 4 “the sums don't add up anymore”, adding: “I am quite frightened what’s going to happen this winter.”

Tony said he had always paid his bills before and he understood that not paying came with risks, but argued that “the bigger risk is not to do anything at all”.