Thread by @Andy_Audioguy

@dontpayuk 🧵
I cancelled my Direct Debit with Octopus 3 months ago, I pay only what I can afford, and I still receive my energy. Here's a thread on how to do it, it's not illegal, it won't affect your credit rating, and you should not let them intimidate you.
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@dontpayuk If you use online banking, go to your direct debits section, and cancel the one for your energy company. Make a note of their account and sort code details on the back of your bill. In online banking, add a new standing order, putting in their account details.
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@dontpayuk Add in what you are prepared to pay each month (I pay £150, which I think is reasonable). Thats it, simple as that !! You are continuing to pay for your energy, so you are doing nothing illegal. As long as you pay each month, they will not terminate your supply.
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@dontpayuk You are now in charge of what you pay them for your energy. By law they have to offer you a repayment plan for any arrears accrued. It's up to you whether you accept it or not, but for now I wouldn't. They will threaten county court judgements & credit file problems, however.
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@dontpayuk Your credit file will not be affected unless you default on payments. They can only register a default on your file if they receive NO PAYMENT in a 28 day period. As long as they get a payment they will register it as a partial payment, but this shouldn't affect your rating
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@dontpayuk Energy companies will only pursue a county court judgement to cut off your supply if you haven't made ANY PAYMENT in a 28 day period Even then the court would simply ask you to provide a household budget, in which you can explain that you don't have the funds to pay the bill
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@dontpayuk As long as you can prove this, then the court will accept it and the energy company would have to comply with a debt repayment plan. This can be £1 a month if that's all you can afford. You have done nothing illegal..
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@dontpayuk All you have done is demonstrate that the recent rapid rise in your energy bills are unreasonable and no longer affordable in your household budget. This is not your fault. It is the responsibility of the energy supplier to justify that increase.
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@dontpayuk Of course, you will end up in arrears with your energy company, but we all will be anyway. It is the new norm, and nothing to be afraid of. It is their responsibility to fix this issue with the government, not yours.
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@dontpayuk Using the method in this thread, you can prioritise your monthly wages to feed yourself and your family, and the energy company gets a FAIR proportion of what you can afford each month, and legally. Good luck, Go for it! #dontpayuk #CostOfLivingCrisis #EnoughIsEnough